Chapter 32 – Rhett
“It’s perfect,” I say, coming up behind Jael and wrapping my hands around her waist as I look at our newly redecorated master bedroom.
Since she’s moved in, she’s completely transformed it.
I’d never been big on color coordination or putting in the effort in this room.
My bedroom was just a place to sleep, nothing more.
But now, she’s flipped the whole place around with little side tables, pictures of us on the wall from when we were younger that I didn’t even know she’d kept and photos of the places we used to love the most growing up.
The lake’s up there, the old church where we’d pick berries, hell, she’s even got a photo of the town’s public school where we went to high school together. It feels like a capstone created just for us, full of the things that brought us together and are keeping us that way.
I spin her around to face me and cup her cheek gently before kissing her on the lips.
“You’re not missing Virginia?” I ask, checking in.
“The only thing I could ever miss is you and I’ve got you now,” she says and hearing that is music to my ears.
“So, what do we need to do before dinner at your mom’s house tonight?” she asks before moving towards the bathroom to change.
“Nothing. I think we’re all set. I’ve got the salad and wine that we’re bringing. Lawson gave me some of the new autumn seltzers the Whitewood Creek brewery just made for the season, too.”
She steps out of the bathroom a few seconds later, wearing one of her usual dresses with her hair tossed up in a bun.
“Come here.” I grip her hips, pulling her close to me and tangling my fingers in her hair before kissing those pouty lips.
“Get out to the car before I fuck you over the bed again,” I grumble, and then swat her on the ass as she leaves with a laugh.
“I’ll be there in a second, just gotta grab one more thing. ”
Jael nods and heads out to my truck without another glance backward. I move to the locked table next to my bed and retrieve my surprise for her. My palms sweat but there’s no hesitation. Tonight, she’ll be mine for good.
Ten minutes later, we’re pulling down Whispering Pines Drive, the place where it all began fifteen years ago. My mom is already waiting for us on the front lawn, and the way her face lights up when she sees Jael is enough to reassure me that I’m doing the right thing.
She rushes out to meet us, wrapping Jael in a hug like she’s been waiting for this moment forever. And maybe she has been.
“I can’t believe it,” my mom says, her voice trembling with emotion. “You’re really here—for good this time.” She steps back, taking in Jael like she’s a long-lost daughter. “And you two,” she looks between us, her smile wide and eyes brimming with tears, “together again.”
Hearing her say it aloud, seeing the tears glistening in her eyes, guts me in a way I didn’t expect. I always knew my mom loved Jael, always rooted for us, but it hits different now, knowing how much it hurt her too when we lost each other and drifted apart.
They settle in the two lawn chairs my mom set up in the same grass where I once tackled Jael as kids, chatting like no time has passed. I lean against the railing, watching them.
My heart feels full and raw at the same time, especially when my mom wipes at her eyes, laughing through her tears of happiness and emotion while catching up on everything Jael’s been through.
She never releases her hand, and the way Jael looks at her, well it looks like it’s healing something inside of her too to have this conversation.
Jael had gone back to Richmond after finishing her one-week training contract at Whitewood Creek’s ICU. She tied up all the loose ends there, her apartment, her job, her life, and in just a few weeks, managed to make a seamless transfer back here for good.
Her old manager had sung her praises, giving her a glowing referral to Hayes, not that it was needed.
When Jael went back to wrap things up, I’d instantly called him and my half-brother Lawson Marshall up and sat them down for a drink.
Told them I was in love and planning on marrying Jael but needed their help to make it happen.
Hayes didn’t hesitate to shift funding at the hospital and make a position that would suit her skill set, and pay well, before the ICU opens next month.
They’ll need someone like her when that happens, but this just gets her here faster.
Because that’s the type of family the Marshalls are. Always looking out for one another.
Lark almost passed out when Lainey told him she was pregnant with their fourth child.
After the shock wore off, they started planning to save for a home expansion.
Before they could begin, I promoted him to manager of the Meadowbrook Division, the new business that we’ve taken over from the next city over.
And though it’s a commute for him, I made sure the pay would be more than enough to cover the costs of their new, growing family.
Because that’s the type of guy I want to be.
We eventually head inside to eat dinner, continuing the conversation and laughter over a full meal. When my mom retreats to her bedroom for an evening nap, and Jael and I finish washing up and wiping down the place, I take her hand in mine.
“Come on. I want to show you something.”
Her eyes sparkle as I walk her down to the edge of the lake where the boat I rented for our evening is resting.
It’s early October now, and the evenings have started to cool off. The trees that surround the shoreline are turning a beautiful shade of red and orange and there’s a cool breeze blowing through them, kissing her skin and covering it in goose bumps.
The surface of the lake ripples in the stillness and the moon’s only starting to show. It feels like a full circle moment being here with her and I intend on savoring every second of tonight.
“So, I might have lied about us calling it an early night, tonight.”
“What do you mean?” she asks. Her light brown hair blows around her pretty face, and the edges of her dress tickle her knees. This is one of those nights I’ll tell our kids about someday.
I gesture with my head toward the docked boat. “I convinced old Larry to let us borrow his boat for the night.”
“Larry’s boat?” Her eyes move to the water, taking it all in.
I nod. “Yep. He bought it when he sold his business to me. I figured he owed me for making him rich.”
“Wow, and we get it for the whole night?”
I grin and nod. “Yep, all to ourselves. Come on.”
I take her hand in mine, and we make our way to the edge of the dock where I’ve stashed a small overnight bag for us. It’s just the basics: toothbrushes, a change of clothes. Not that I think we’ll need them tonight. Something tells me clothes won’t be part of the equation.
The lake is quiet, the water glassy and still, with no boats in sight. It’s just us and the hum of nature at one of my favorite places in the world with my girl.
“Why don’t you get settled on the deck?” I suggest, nodding toward the bench at the helm of the boat.
Jael grabs a blanket from the bin I brought on board, wrapping it around herself before curling up like she’s claiming her spot at the front.
“I’ll push us out a bit and then come join you,” I add, knowing I’m about to take my time. There’s something about this moment, the quiet, the calm, the feeling of her here with me, that I want to savor.
I untie the boat and then fire up the engine, easing us away from the dock and out onto the open lake. The October sun is dipping lower now, painting the water with golds and pinks that shimmer like glass. It’s the perfect night.
I glance over at Jael, bathed in that fading light, looking like my best friend and the woman that I love. She’s always been it for me, even when she didn’t know it. And now she’s here, about to be mine forever.
Once we’re far enough out, I toss the anchor overboard, the quiet splash barely disturbing the stillness around us.
The last sliver of sunlight sinks behind the horizon, leaving just a faint glow on the water and the lightest chill in the air.
I duck into the cabin, grab two champagne glasses and a bottle I’d stashed there earlier, and head back out to meet her.
Sliding onto the bench beside her, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close until she’s tucked with her back against my chest. Her warmth, her scent, her everything—it’s all I’ve ever wanted, and tonight, I plan to let her know just how much.
“This is perfect,” she whispers. “Thanks for doing this.” Her gaze falls to the glasses of champagne that I’ve set next to us. “What’s the champagne for?”
“To celebrate.”
She turns her head to the side, smiling up at me. I take a moment to kiss her lips slowly, savoring the last time she’ll be just my girlfriend.
“To new memories here in Whitewood Creek,” I say as I fill both of our glasses, raising them in the air.
“I remember everything, Jael. The simple moments when we’d drive home from school and then spend the evening looking for food for dinner and laughing.
How I wanted to protect you more than anything from everyone in your life that hurt you.
How it felt when I’d hold you, and you’d sigh with your whole body collapsing into me like you knew I’d carry the weight.
You’ve always been the one that got away to me.
You ruined me for everybody. No one else could have ever measured up. ”
She smiles, leaning back into my arms and turning her head to the side to meet my lips in another kiss and then raises the glass to her lips for a slow sip.
“It was always you for me too, Rhett.”
I tighten my hold on her, feeling my pulse race as I reach for the small velvet box in my pocket.
“Marry me,” I whisper into her ear. I hold open the box, displaying the beautiful emerald diamond ring inside of it. “I feel like I lost a decade without you. I don’t want any more time to pass without you as mine.”
She turns around in shock, tears in her eyes as she looks between mine.
“I’ve always been yours. I think I always thought moving to Whitewood Creek had been the worst thing my parents could have done to me.
Leaving behind my friends and life in Charlotte to move to the middle of nowhere right when I was stepping into becoming a teenager.
Now I’m seeing, it was the best because it led me to you. I love you. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I cover her mouth with mine, kissing her hard. When we break apart, she’s smiling at me, a mischievous grin across her pretty face.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask her, pulling her back to my chest.
“Oh, just how this was probably the same part of the lake where you taught me how to give head for the first time.”
I choke on my sip of champagne in shock.
“You’re naughty.”
She laughs lightly. “You’ve rubbed off on me.”
Then she slips off the bench to her knees and moves between my legs before tugging the blanket away from my lap.
“If we’re having a full circle moment, I think it’s only fitting…” she starts as she reaches for the button on my jeans, undoing it then dragging the zipper down and pulling my pants along with my boxers off before wrapping her hot mouth around my tip and sucking.
“Only if you insist, Mrs. Miller.”