Epilogue
Mary London
“No, put the flowers at the check-in desk, please!”
The delivery guy spins away from the long bar and toward the front door, a huge bouquet of blooms nearly covering his entire face.
The band is already setting up, which is a relief.
I didn’t have much luck getting ahold of reputable bands until I started working with the woman Rhett met at The Sip magazine gala.
He doesn’t like social gatherings, but he sure does know how to make good contacts.
“You can’t do an extension cord there. Fire marshal’ll have my hide.” I rush over to the guy setting up on the stage. “I had my contractor put in electrical outlets in the floor just for this purpose. Over here and here.” I point them out and the guy reroutes his cords.
I step off the stage to check on the food deliveries that should be happening right now in the kitchen, but Rhett snags me around the waist, bringing me to a stop.
“Whoa, there, June bug. You’re fixin’ to run yourself off your feet before the grand opening even starts.”
I grip his arms and stare up into his handsome face. His blue eyes hold a sense of calm I’m not feeling right now. “I know, but I want everything to be perfect!”
He leans down and plucks a kiss from my lips. I bit off my lip gloss an hour ago, but Rhett doesn’t seem to mind. “I already talked to the food delivery guy. It’s all there and being put in the fridge as we speak. No need for more of those girlfriend zoomies of yours.”
I pull back and toss him a severe frown. “Don’t you mean the fiancée zoomies?” I lift my hand and flash that ring. Pretty much flash it to anyone and anything every chance I get.
His face splits into an elated grin like it always does when I say that magical F-word. “Hell yes, that’s what I meant.”
I rise up on the toes of my work boots—yes, they have no heel and feel like heaven on my feet while I’m working—and kiss this future husband of mine, but don’t get very far before the horrible list of things still left to do runs through my brain.
My heart rate spikes as anxieties claw at me.
I break away and stare deep into his eyes, needing an honest answer.
“Am I being stupid, Rhett? Thinking I can open a bar that’ll be successful and fun and also safe? I’m just a hometown girl wanting a place to line dance.” My voice is so soft, I’m not sure he can even hear me over the sounds of the bar coming alive for the first time.
Rhett’s hands rub up and down my back, his gaze steady as ever.
“There’s no just about you, June bug. You’re Mary London Winthrop, a Southern belle and also one of Mississippi’s top female entrepreneurs.
You’re taking calculated chances and showing little girls everywhere what can be accomplished when you turn your back on expectations and chase your dreams. This isn’t just a honky-tonk.
This is a declaration of independence. You’ve come so far.
Don’t let the doubt in your head win now. ”
My eyes burn with tears. I swallow hard and let his words soak in. “I needed to hear that.”
Rhett kisses me quick. “I’ll tell you the exact same thing any time you need it. Just tap me on the chest and I’ll know.” He takes my hand and taps twice on the center of his chest.
“I love you, you know,” I whisper, afraid if I say anything more, I’ll cry. And today is not a day for crying.
“I love you too.” Rhett lets my hands go to smack me playfully on the ass, intuitively knowing what I need. “Which is why I’m kicking you out of here to go home and get ready. I’ve got everything here covered for you.”
I bounce on my toes, anxieties pushed aside and pure excitement bubbling like it should. “Thank you! I’ll be right back!”
“Take your time,” he hollers after me as I grab my purse and keys and zip out of the bar.
Since our engagement, we’ve been full speed ahead getting this bar ready for its grand opening.
Tonight is a soft opening, really. Just locals, friends, and family invited.
Next weekend will be the public opening.
I’ve already been handing out flyers to the sorority girls who come through the boutique.
I’m hoping word will spread and we’ll have a good turnout when the college kids come back from Christmas break.
Rhett and I talked about our future, deciding that now was not the time to start wedding planning on top of everything else.
Though I know Daddy’s not happy about it, we’ve decided to move in together in the meantime.
I’m in the middle of packing all my things and then I’ll get my condo on the market.
I’ll move in with Rylan and Rhett after the grand opening, while Rhett turns his attention to renovating the rambling Victorian he bought when he moved back to town.
Some may say it’s on the wrong side of the tracks for a Winthrop, but Rhett and I know there’s not a wrong side. Not anymore.
I spend more time than I anticipate getting ready.
My freshly washed hair is curled and tumbling down my back.
My flowy black top is mostly lace, but it’s the brown suede skirt with fringe along the bottom that makes this outfit pop.
Add in brown-and-turquoise cowboy boots and I look both fun and honky-tonk, but also like the owner of a new Square establishment.
Back at the bar, Rhett’s done the only getting ready he needs to do. The man put on a cowboy hat. Dang, to be a man who can get ready in five minutes. But the look in his eye when he sees me is all the encouragement I need to keep spending copious amounts of time getting put together.
Rhett holds out his hand and makes me do a spin for him, the fringe on my skirt flaring out.
He whistles long and low before wrapping me up in his arms and dipping his head to kiss me.
His hat keeps us covered, which is just as well.
The bartenders I hired at the first of the year hoot and holler as they get everything ready behind the bar, which makes me giggle.
The band starts playing a love song just for us.
I’ve got a good group of employees here, the kind that’ll make the place successful simply because they’re good people our patrons will want to come hang out with.
Rhett tilts me back on my feet. “You look like I wanna get out of here and ride off into the sunset with you.”
I cup his face and smooth my hand over the scruff on his cheek. “You will, cowboy, but not until much later.”
He groans, but takes my hand and laces our fingers together, spinning us to face the door where a line of people has formed out on the sidewalk. I have space heaters out there, but I’m sure they’re itching to get inside.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be with you every minute. Now let’s have you officially open Bless Your Heart for business.”
I take a deep breath, smooth down my skirt, and twist the lock, throwing open the door.
With a genuine smile in place, I welcome every single person I’ve known since birth.
They all offer a word of encouragement before they head inside to order a drink and hit the dance floor.
Rhett stays by my side the whole time, just like he promised.
Toward the end of the line, Daddy steps through the door.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” I say brightly, giving him a hug.
He’s got a bolo tie and a tan blazer on over a pair of jeans I bet he bought just for this occasion. “Wouldn’t miss my girl’s grand opening, now would I?”
I smile up at the man who’s disappointed me over and over, yet still shows up for me like today. I think once I stopped looking up to him and realized he’s a fallible human just like me, that was when I could start appreciating the good and understanding the bad.
“Thank you for coming, Daddy.”
“Your mama would be so proud of you. You’re an entrepreneur, just like her. She always had spunk and I see her so much in you.”
Well, now I really am going to cry. “Daddy,” I say softly. He hugs me again, shakes Rhett’s hand, and heads inside, leaving me to sniffle back my feelings.
Rhett puts his hand on my back, giving me a moment to compose myself before we head further into the bar to make our rounds.
Everyone looks to be having a good time.
Betsy has Mr. Barrett on the dance floor, teaching him how to two-step.
She’s not doing it right, but that tiny detail doesn’t seem to matter when everyone’s having such a good time.
Silas spins Birdie right past us at the edge of the dance floor while Darby Kate cheers on her aunt from the bar.
People I went to elementary and high school with are here.
The city council is congregated at the north end of the bar, clinking frosty glasses of beer.
Probably counting how much they’ll collect in tax revenue with a new bar up and running.
Deuce has a woman twice his age in his arms, not at all trying to keep time with the music.
My best friends found babysitters and have a table in the corner where they’re taking pictures they’ll send me to use on social media because they’re angels like that.
The place looked amazing already, but come alive with people and music? It’s everything I dreamed of and more.
“Don’t kill me,” Rhett whispers in my ear, right before he leaves my side and bounds up on the stage.
The band seems to know what’s happening, which is weird because I don’t and I own the damn place. Rhett takes the microphone from the lead singer of the band and all heads turn to the stage as the music stops.
“Welcome, everyone!” Rhett booms.
I stare up at him, a bit shocked he’s willingly speaking in front of our whole town. Has hell frozen over? Or as Silas likes to say, has heaven gone to flames?
“Thank y’all for coming out to support one of our own.
This here bar wouldn’t have been possible without the vision of one incredible lady.
She’s someone you’ve bought clothes from, or visited with at church, or gone to school with.
She also happens to be one of Mississippi’s top female entrepreneurs.
” A few hoots from the crowd have my cheeks heating.
As promised, Rhett’s put up a framed picture of me at The Sip magazine event on the wall behind the bar.
“We’re damn lucky to have her here in Heaven, and I’d like you to give her a warm round of applause while she comes on up here. ”
Rhett holds his hand out while the group cheers.
I shake my head at him, but bounce up the stairs to stand on stage and take his hand.
He gives me the microphone and makes a funny face, like he’s happy to finally be done with it.
I kiss him on the cheek and a few more hoots join in on the applause.
I turn to the crowd and scan the familiar faces, emotion rising in my throat.
“One thing I appreciated about my mama was that she taught me the good manners of a true Southern belle.” I do a little curtsy, but then lift an eyebrow as I scan the crowd again.
“But she also made sure I had just as much sass as manners because a lady always needs a steel spine. Which is why I called this bar Bless Your Heart. I want each and every one of you to be blessed.” I put the microphone right on my lips and whisper the next part while I bounce my eyebrows.
“But I also mean it in the Southern way.”
The crowd goes wild. Rhett nods toward the bartenders who have left their stations to pass out glasses of champagne to every person in here. I wait for everyone to hold their glasses in the air, so damn proud of my fiancé for thinking ahead about making this moment happen.
“To Heaven, Mississippi, the best small town around!” I shout.
Everyone takes a sip and the band starts back in on their playlist of familiar country cover songs.
The speakers are thumping and bodies are moving on the dance floor.
Before long the mechanical bull gets a workout too.
It’s a testament to a fun atmosphere when no one leaves before midnight.
A few hangovers might be blamed on Bless Your Heart tomorrow morning, but Rhett and I have a policy that one of the bouncers on staff makes sure everyone gets home safely in ride shares as per their job description.
At two in the morning, I throw the lock on the front door and sag against it.
Rhett leans against the bar with his elbow, looking as fine as he did hours ago.
I’m sure I look a sweaty mess. He pushes off the bar and walks over to stand in front of me.
The way he’s looking at me makes me think maybe I don’t look as rough as I think.
“I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind sliding right into bed and staying there a few days.” His voice is gruff from having to talk over the loud music all night.
I lift my weary arm and slide my finger up his chest. “Take me with you or lose me forever.”
He smiles, then hoists me into his arms. “Yes, ma’am.”
Today was a good day.
I lay my head on his chest and close my eyes as we walk out of the bar we built together, trusting a Price to treat a Winthrop like something precious.