Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
RUSTY
I jump into my truck and pull up the Janes thread — minus Ash — that Lou created only a few weeks ago.
So much has changed since then, but one thing I know that will never change is the love these women have for each other. And, I hope, for me.
I send a voice-text.
RUSTY
I'm an idiot and need your help.
MILLIE
You're not an idiot.
LOU
You're kind of an idiot. Do you still think you're too much like your deadbeat dad to be with Ash?
No I do not.
LOU
Good. What do you need?
I need Ash.
PARKER
YEAH BOIIIIIII
LOU
Stop.
JANE
GROAN.
MILLIE
What did we do to deserve this?
PARKER
Sorry suckerzzzzzz
Okay, I'm done. Rusty, we'll do whatever you need.
Thanks, y'all. I just need to know where she is.
LOU
Home with Parker and me.
Good. Keep her there, will you? I'll do the rest.
I'm sitting in my truck in the parking lot while my phone reads me their texts. A knock on my window startles me. I roll down my window to see Patty.
"You okay?"
"Better now. Thanks, Patty. And sorry I've been a nightmare the last week."
"Being a trauma kid is hard. I don't hold it against you."
I nod. "I saw your dad behind the bar the other day. Looks like his arm crutches are working well. "
"He's made a lot of progress in PT and insists he'll be back to work in no time so Sean and I can take a step back."
"How likely is that?"
"You know Danny. He doesn't know the meaning of the word quit. I still think we should shut down the bar, but he insists that a responsible bar that enforces safety is important for the community when there are plenty of bars that don't."
I don't know the right answer to that question. If it were up to me, I'd ban alcohol completely. But then Granny Belle always says Jesus drank wine, much to her son's chagrin. I'm not sure the answer to that one, either.
A text pops up, and a quick glance tells me it's time to go.
"I gotta run."
"You know I don't trust easy, but she's got a good heart. You two are gonna be okay."
Patty's never done me wrong and he's seen me through some dark times. His approval means a lot.
"Thanks, man."
"Go get her."
Fifteen minutes later, I'm stopped at the bridge that leads over the river to Ash and Duke's neighborhood. Traffic cones bar me from driving, and my buddy Walt is in uniform, redirecting traffic.
"Walt, what's going on here?"
"Some idiot heard that Chick Hanks blew up his gopher holes and tried to do the same thing, only it set fire to his yard. Fire department almost has it out, but we're rerouting traffic down river."
"But that'll take twenty minutes!"
Walt shrugs. "Sorry, pal. "
I grumble but back up. I'm about to take the long way when my gaze falls on someone kayaking on the water.
Inspiration strikes.
I give Chick Allen a call.
"Hello?"
"Chick, this is Rusty. I'm in a bit of a bind and need to get across the river fast. Any chance I can borrow a fishing boat?"
"It's tied up at the dock. The code is Sugar Maple's birthday."
I think back to our last Founder's Day celebration. "Got it. Thanks, Chick."
I park in the alley and run all the way to Chick's dock. Soon, I'm rowing a small fishing boat down the river to the Janes' place. The sun is low on the horizon and unfortunately in front of me. It's not in my favor, but I’ll be able to see well enough to make it to the dock, which is fast approaching.
"I really love this place," I hear Ash say as I’m getting close.
“It’s beautiful,” Lou agrees.
What is she doing outside? I stick an oar into the river, slowing my progress so I can think.
I had a whole plan. I was going to run into the house, drop to my knees, and beg her to give me another chance after I was so dumb. I even brought my sketchbook to show her how much I love her, how much she’s impacted me.
But she’s here, now.
And I don’t care about a stupid plan. I care about her.
I’m ten yards from her dock, and the little boat is rocking. “Ash!” I yell, standing up in the boat.
“Rusty?” she calls.
I can’t wait another moment. I drop the anchor and dive into the water fully clothed. The river is clear enough that I can see Ash standing at the dock. With swift, strong strokes, I pull myself through the water until I reach the dock. I plant my hands on the wood. My white T-shirt clings to me as I heft myself up onto the dock. Ash looks at me with her mouth hanging open.
She's staring into my eyes.
"Hotcakes — "
"My abs are down here," I say, and she laughs and glances down, as if I've finally given her permission.
When she bites her thumbnail, I stride forward, slicking my hair back.
Her eyes widen and darken at the same time. "What are you doing?"
"What I should have done a year ago," I say.
I grab her around the waist, pull her tight, and kiss her.
I kiss the ever-loving heck out of her.
When we’re both breathless, I pull back to see that she’s almost as wet as I am. I put my hand on her neck with my thumb grazing her earlobe. Her breathing is so quick, mine races to catch it.
"Since the moment I met you, you brought color into my world. I saw hues that I never realized existed and? — "
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I saw your sketchbook back at the house. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, too. Now shut up and give momma some waffles, Farm B? — ."
She finishes the last words with my lips on hers, and we both laugh as the sound echoes in our connected mouths. A wave of warmth washes over me when she slides her hands over my wet back. But I'm laughing too hard to deepen the kiss.
"Give momma some waffles?" I ask.
She giggles. "What? That was a great line!"
"But you call me Hotcakes, not Waffles," I say, kissing her neck.
"But you told me to look at your abs," she argues, her hands moving up to my hair. I love how much she loves my hair.
"I'm wearing a shirt. It's not like? — "
"You entered a wet T-shirt contest and won, bro. Quit playing. You know they're showstoppers."
I kiss up her neck and along her jaw until I nip at her earlobe. "The show's just startin', Gorgeous," I say.
"Hot dang," she whispers before our mouths meet again.
"I think I should go. Super happy for y'all," Lou says.
"Go Rusty!" Parker yells from the balcony.
Ash puts her hands to my cheeks and laughs.
"I love the way your laugh feels in my mouth," I say, keeping her bottom lip in between my teeth.
"How are you so freaking good at these lines?" Ash says, kissing me and tugging her lip out. "Seriously, do you write them in a notebook or do they just come to you?"
I grit my teeth playfully.
"They just come to me. But I've been planning this for a while." I put my hand in my pocket and pull out the package I've carried with me for weeks. The outside is wet, but it’s what’s inside that counts.
I drop to one knee.
Ash's eyes almost bug out of her head. "Uh, Rusty? What are you doing?"
I take Ash's left hand in mine and tuck my other hand — the one holding the package — behind my back.
"I love you, and nothing has ever been more real than how I feel for you. I want the whole world to know we belong together." I bring my other hand forward and show it to her.
Her apprehension turns to absolute joy. "Is that? — "
"A Ring Pop?" I ask. I pop the bag and pull the red jewel-shaped candy ring out of the bag. "Ashley Jane, you are the love of my life and the rainbow after my storm. Will you do me the great honor of being my absolutely not fake, very real girlfriend?"
She laughs at the sky. "YES! "
I jump to my feet, wrap her in my arms, and swing her around.
"She said yes!" Sonny yells from the house.
Seconds later, all our friends rush us.
Ash licks the Ring Pop and holds it up to me. "Want a taste?"
"Not even a little."
"Oh, whatever. You'll kiss it off my lips later and make some insanely swoony comment about how much better it tastes on me."
"No, I won't. In fact, I’d prefer you brush your teeth before you kiss me again."
She lifts her eyebrows. Her glasses are askew, and the look is absolutely breathtaking. "You wanna bet?" she asks in a throaty voice, leaning toward me.
"Maybe just some gum." I stare at her lips as they stretch into a smile.
"Uh huh," she says, so close I can smell the candy on her.
Not bad.
We kiss again.
Not bad at all.