Second Chance at Forever (Forever Book 2) (45 page)

“Jackson!” she shrieked but laughed, as she wrapped her legs around my waist.

“What are you doing?” she whispered in my ears and then began kissing me.

“Giving my girl a lift and enjoying some lovin from her.”

We laughed the rest of the way. I placed her down onto the porch, and she instantly wrapped her arms around my waist, giving me a tight hug.

She said, “We’re okay, baby…I promise. I love you.”

Hearing her words once more bonded our love together and gave me hope for our future. Riley Taylor Briggs, was my Forever, and I, Jackson Walker Reed, was hers.

“YOU WERE RIGHT,” I said to Lila, as we talked in her sitting room. We were surrounded by picture after picture of her love story with Thomas, as well as Reese’s childhood. Not one empty space was to be found on these walls. This was my favorite room in this house, and I couldn’t help feeling that dull ache remembering the last time I sat here with her. It was the day I had come to beg Lila to tell me where Reese had run off to. She didn’t know, and I believed her. My heart was shattered, and I felt completely betrayed by the woman I planned on marrying. Now all of that hurt and feelings of loss had been replaced with new purpose and promise for our second chance at getting it right.

“You were right.”

“Walker, you’ve said that, now twice. How do those three little words taste coming out of your mouth?” She mocked me with that twinkle in her eye.

“A few months ago, I probably would have said it tasted like castor oil, but now it feels like heaven to be wrong. You never gave up on us, Lila. How did you keep on believing in us after all of these years?”

“Walker, I may be an old woman, but I am not foolish nor blind. I knew from the minute I set my eyes on you that you were the man for my baby girl. She loves you something fierce, and it was that love that drove her to make the decisions she made. I always felt something was wrong about how you two broke up, but I left it up to her to tell me when she was ready. I’m just happy I’m still here to witness your reunion. Now, my son, where’s the ring?”

God, she knows me too well.
I pulled the tattered box out of my pocket and showed her the engagement ring that I planned on presenting to Reese.

“It’s beautiful, Walker. The additions you made are perfect, and she will love it.”

“I hope so, Lila. This ring has quite the story to tell. I never thought I would see the day. I’m so sorry for giving up.”

“Hush now. You didn’t give up, and neither did she. You and Reese were dealt a bad hand that lasted way longer than it should have, but now that’s in the past and what you have is now. You have today, tomorrow, and the rest of your lives to be happy with one another. Don’t waste one more second on what might have been; that part of your story is over. Start a new chapter by asking my granddaughter to marry you, and put that ring on her finger where it belongs and will stay, now and forever. Do you get what I’m saying to you?”

“Yes, ma’am, loud and clear,” I firmly replied.

She got up from her chair and took me lovingly into her arms. I gently hugged her back and whispered “Thank you” in her ear.

Reese popped her head into the room. “Hey, you two, there you are. Dinner’s ready, and I have a table full of fried fish, broiled fish, and sautéed fish. We have lots of fish, and a table full of hungry people. Coming?”

“We are,” I replied as Nana and I hugged. I walked over to my girl and scooped her up into my arms. She squealed with happiness, not even embarrassed by our display of affections in front of Lila. Her grandmother gave us a minute, and when we were really alone, I kissed her with all the love I had, sealing my commitment to Reese.

“You look so happy, Walker.”

“I’m happy because I have you back, Reese. In my arms is where you belong, and I vow never to let you go again.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Walker, I will never leave you again.”

“Good, as if I would let you.”

“Watch it, caveman. I’m still a very independent woman and will remain to be.”

“Oh, you can be independent all you want, but always depend on me.”

She looked at me with one brow raised.

“Does that even make sense, baby?” she asked.

“Of course it does. It means I don’t ever want you to change who you are, but I want to be the one—your only one—who you depend on above anyone else. I want to be your husband, your lover. I want to be everything to you, and that’s what it means.”

“You are, Walker. Always.”

We kissed and made our way into the kitchen. What a sight to take in. Lila and Thomas were here. The love of my life was here, and our kids who were happy in their own love story were here. I looked around to all of them, and all I felt was love for each of them. Plates of delicious smelling food were being passed around, and I took my plate from Reese, as she smiled at me. I took a quiet minute to look over to my son, who was laughing at Thomas’s stories. I silently thanked God for this moment. We had our guardian angel always shining down on us, and all I felt was peace. Closing my eyes, I saw her smiling back at me…
Elizabeth, thank you, my friend.

We all enjoyed the delicious feast which Reese had prepared for us. She gave her grandmother time to explain all to Granddaddy…the short version, and then I had my own catch up talk with Thomas. Dessert was served in the form of Lila’s award winning apple pie. She even made homemade vanilla ice cream to put over it. Jackson was in heaven and helped himself to two servings. Thank goodness Lila made more than one pie.

Our happy reunion soon came to a close. The grandparents said their good nights, and the four of us were left on our own. Riley gave Jackson a tour of our sleeping space. Thomas had converted one of the barns to look like a mini bed and breakfast. It held the old world charm of a country inn. It was equipped with a huge en suite, a living room, and two bedrooms. I was hoping I wouldn’t need to book a hotel room anywhere and was thankful to Lila for extending an invitation to stay.

Before turning in to sleep, she gave me a hug and told me “No funny stuff tonight, buddy.” I laughed and hugged her again. She reminded me that she wasn’t too old to hit me upside my head with her ladle if I broke the rules while under her roof. Her warning was also extended to Jackson and Riley. As much as I teased Reese about fooling around while here, I would never do anything to upset Lila and Thomas.

They knew we were together, but in the eyes of the law, Reese was still a very married woman. She didn’t want her grandparents to judge her, even though deep down, we knew they wouldn’t. All they ever wanted for Reese was to be happy, and now she was.

The kids were in bed, and I finally had a quiet moment with Reese. I held her in my arms under the Georgia sky. Thousands of stars were out tonight. I was hoping to see a falling star to make a wish on, but all I ever hoped for had come true already.

“I want to take you somewhere tomorrow.” I said, as I kissed her along her neck.

“I’ll go anywhere with you, Walker.”

“I’m counting on that.”

“Walker.”

“Yes, my love.”

“Thank you for not listening to me and arriving a day early. I don’t think I could have waited until tomorrow to see you.”

“As if you could keep me away. I love you, Peaches.” Even under the moonlight, I could still see my girl blush. I watched as my beautiful angel walked into the house, and I joined Jackson out in the barn.

I knocked on his door and hoped he was still up. This would be my first chance to really catch up with my son since we arrived.

“Hey, son. So what do you think of Pottersville?”

“It’s everything you said, and more. I can see why you love it here.”

“Everything okay with Riley? You two appeared to have worked it out.”

“We’re okay, dad, let’s leave it that. So tomorrow is your big day with Reese?”

I smiled at his question. “It is, Jackson. Let’s leave it that.”

SLEEPING IN MY childhood room and smelling the sweet scent of freshly picked flowers on my nightstand, I felt happy to be home. I couldn’t remember when I had a more blissful sleep. Yesterday was a whirlwind of revelations. I had finally come clean to Nana, and then to see Walker back here in this home felt like a dream coming true. He was taking me somewhere, but where? This town was too small to have any hidden spots I wasn’t aware of. It didn’t matter, as long as we were together. I quickly showered and dressed for the day. It would be a hot one, so I put on a light sundress and wore my hair pulled back. I left a few curly tendrils hanging along my cheek. Walker loved to wrap my hair around his fingers while kissing me. I had to keep in mind to keep my hands in check when Nana was around.

Coffee was already on, and the house smelled of fresh bacon and cinnamon rolls. Granddaddy greeted me with a floor lifting hug.

“Granddaddy, put me down before you hurt your back.”

“Nah, don’t worry about me, honey. You’re light as a feather.” He laughed and went back to reading his morning paper.

“Where’s Nana?” I asked my grandfather.

“Your Nana is already out and about with the youngsters. They went into town to do some sightseeing, and then are going to the book depot. Your spunky daughter wants to show Jackson all around town and then have lunch with Nana at the shop.”

“That sounds lovely, but I hope they don’t wear Nana out.”

“Don’t go worrying about your grandmother; she’s the one that will wear them out first. We Mitchells come from strong stock, baby girl. Don’t you know that by now?” He winked.

“I believe I’ve heard that once or twice, Granddaddy.” I gave him a hug and kissed the top of his head. I poured two traveling mugs of coffee and wrapped up some cinnamon rolls for Walker and me to enjoy. The car was outside, ready to take us on our mystery trip.

“Bye, Granddaddy. Be good today.”

“I should be saying that to you, my darling girl. Have fun.” Oh, he was wiser than I ever gave him credit for, him and Nana.

“Good morning, baby. Are you ready?” Walker said while slowly walking over to me, as if I were his morning breakfast. He was licking his lips as he reached me, taking one of the coffees out of my hand.

“I am, but where are we going?” I replied.

“All in good time, all in good time,” he said with a smirk.

He kissed me and held the door for me as I entered the car. We enjoyed our coffee and light breakfast while we talked about the kids and how happy they seemed to be. In just a few weeks, they would both be graduating high school and beginning their summer vacation. They had a good month head start before summer actually began. I wanted to take that time to pack up my house and vacate it, so Samuel could move back in. That Baltimore home was always his more than it was ever mine, and it would please Walker to no end if I could join him in California.

We drove out of town, up to a look-out spot where you could take in the mountain scenery. I knew this spot all too well. I shared many happy times here with my parents and grandparents. We were at Clover Lake. Luscious greenery surrounded the lake with wild flowers and of course clovers. This was my father’s favorite place to bring me when I was a child.

I remember spending hours with him looking for four leaf clovers. Nana had a picture of us canoeing taken the year before he died. I turned to Walker, who was nervously smiling up at me, not sure if he had picked the right place to bring me to today. I smiled back, showing him that it was perfect.

Walker had a picnic basket packed for us and brought a blanket for us to sit on. We walked down to the lake and picked a spot for lunch. The sun was shining, but it was a few degrees cooler up here. He wrapped my sweater around my shoulders and pulled me to his chest.

“Are you okay that we’re here?” he asked me.

“It’s a beautiful spot, Walker. Thank you for coordinating with Nana.” We both laughed. He wouldn’t have known what meaning this place held for me if Nana hadn’t told him. He held me in his arms, and I could feel his mood changing. Something was weighing on his mind, and we both had enough secrets to last us a lifetime, so I simply asked him what was wrong.

“Are you okay, Walker? Do you want to tell me something?”