Chapter 32
Rhett
I’ve been planning this day since I came back from the locksmith’s shop with an extra key to my place. It was cocky of me. After all, Carina could’ve turned down my invitation to move in with me, but I just knew things would go my way.
Ever since the night of the cookout, when I slipped into the night after our steamy first encounter, I knew with every fibre of my being, this woman was mine.
And here we are.
We’ve been dating for nearly nine months and we’ve been living together for two.
It doesn’t get any better than this.
My girl’s family arrived yesterday morning.
When a few Callahans come to visit, they bunk up at the quaint bed and breakfast Rothenburg Mansion on Bellande Lane.
It wasn’t possible this time around because the small lodging establishment only has a handful of rooms. Even if her family rented the entire house out, that’s still not enough space.
With so many of them debarking in town at the same time for the joyous occasion, they ended up staying at the near-century-old Bacharach Hotel, located in Summerville’s historic part.
The Callahans arrived at the distillery a couple hours before Carina and I did in chauffeured SUVs. While they were waiting for us to show up, they were stretching their legs while admiring the unparalleled beauty my town has to offer.
Jenkins and April were here early to serve as chaperones. It’s not easy to keep a rowdy clan like that a secret in a small town like ours. It’s a miracle of God we were able to pull it off.
Riley’s behind the idea of using the distillery as the venue for my girl’s birthday party.
The owners know her well. Not only because she’s a celebrity, but also because this location is at the top of her list for her own catering contracts.
Along with her guidance, and a lot of help from Allison and Miranda, I made this day happen.
Selecting the band was easy.
Randy, a ranch hand who works with Jenkins and me, moonlights with his band whenever he can. He does a decent enough job at the ranch, but the guy is a born singer. Always eager to get a crowd dancing, he was too happy to be the entertainment for the night.
The guy has an incredible voice and great showmanship. His band is pretty kickass as well. It’s a shame he’s too afraid to step into the big league.
In true Callahan fashion, the last three hours have been wild. People ate too much, drank a little more than usual, and laughed wholeheartedly.
Dessert was a huge hit.
Tiramisu is officially my new favorite dolci.
Since the nonnas couldn’t spend all day preparing their signature dessert at Happy Belly, they had to hide at Riley’s Flower Mound location. She drove back in town with them.
Today is about my girlfriend, but when her father called me son, I had to swallow a lump in my throat.
Growing up, I’ve been called boy, kid, rascal, and even troublemaker. Assholes have called me son as a put down. Since my dad died when I was eleven, no one I respect has ever called me that in a positive way.
My girl’s parents have long welcomed me with open arms. Hearing the simple word fall from Mr. Callahan’s lips meant everything. Carina’s mom’s comment floored me. “Rhett is part of the family, cupcake.”
They made me feel accepted just the way I am––a small-town boy who’s madly in love with their only daughter.
I tap my foot and bob my head to the beat of a top country song, my gaze roaming around the room as my eyes land on happy, smiling faces.
Everyone’s having a good ol’ time.
Pride courses through me.
Other than a few accidents while we were eating from excited little ones, everything is as smooth as butter. I couldn’t have asked for much more.
Carina leans into me and says, “You’re going to get a birthday gift when we get back home.”
I pull away from her and frown. “What are you talking about? Today is your day.”
“It is.” She flashes me a mischievous grin, “but you get a prize for being the most amazing boyfriend in the world. Look what you did for me,” she says that last part, fanning open her arms.
I grin. “It’s not that hard to be amazing when I’m dating the most incredible woman in the world.”
“That was cheesy on both our parts.” She giggles.
“I know, but we’re allowed to be cheesy on special occasions.” I chuckle.
“I like how you randomly create these rules.”
“The only way to keep you on your toes, little lady.” I wink. “Speaking of which, I think we should take a twirl on the dance floor. What do you think?”
“Take me dancing, handsome.”
“Come on, doll,” I say, getting up and extending my hand to her.
She takes it, and we stride to the middle of the dance floor, where her grandparents have taken permanent residence since Randy’s band started playing. I don’t think you can qualify their moves as two-stepping, but bless them for trying.
“They’re hilarious,” I say as Carina start dancing.
“Don’t remind me.” She rolls her eyes.
“Let them be.”
“As if I’d be able to stop them. I mean, look at them. You’d think they grew up here.” She laughs.
I join her.
Considering how much her grandparents on both sides have embraced my little town and who I am at the core, it’s no surprise they’re all decked out in cowboy gear for the occasion.
They smile at us with a wave.
I tip my head, a grin stretching my lips.
I return my attention to my girl. “What’s your big wish for the year to come?”
She frowns. “Why do you ask? Is it because of the song?”
Randy’s band is rocking their rendition of Florida Georgia Line’s, ‘Blessings’. The song isn’t by chance, but she doesn’t need to know. Not yet, anyway.
“It’s a tradition,” I say.
“This is the first I’ve heard of this tradition.”
I tap the tip of her nose. “Because it’s your first birthday since we’ve been together.”
“Makes sense. Who started the tradition? Your ma?”
I nod. “Every year, on my birthday, she’d ask me the question before I blew out the candles.
She was a firm believer in setting the intention for the year.
I guess it’s the teacher in her. When I was on the road and she’d call me to wish me a happy birthday, it was always her first question.
Back then, my intention was always the same, come in first place, secure the top prize, and rush back to Summerville to spend time with her.
Even though she’s gone, I keep the tradition alive. ”
I swallow the lump in my throat.
I have two sets of parents, and neither of them will ever meet my girl.
That right there breaks my heart.
“Oh, wow,” Carina says. “That’s so purposeful.”
I offer her a warm smile. “It is.”
I shift my gaze over her head and meet Randy’s. He nods his understanding.
I return my attention to my girl. “Do you need a minute to think about it?”
“I don’t.” She shakes her head. “My intention is simple. I want to enjoy my perfect life. I mean, look around. I’m surrounded by the people who mean the most to me and we both know I lucked out in the boyfriend department.”
“So, you like living here in Summerville?”
Her head jerks back, her face contorting in a grimace. “We live together, silly. I love it down here.”
“Just checkin’.”
We sway in silence for a bit.
“Enjoying what you already have is a solid intention,” I say.
“Maybe it’s not ambitious enough, but I’m content where I am,” she says after a while, almost second-guessing herself.
“Nothing wrong with wanting a simple life.”
The band fades into a new song.
“I already know what my intention is,” I say.
“Eager beaver.”
“I never heard that expression before.” I laugh.
“It means you’re keen. Your birthday is in three months and you already have the next year figured out.”
No, darlin’, I have the rest of my life figured out.
“Just because it’s not my birthday yet doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about what I want in my life.”
“You don’t already have what you want?” A tinge of uncertainty coats her words.
“Oh, trust me. I have what I want. I’m just saying, I want more.”
“Would you be breaking with tradition if you told me before your birthday?”
“I don’t think Ma would’ve opposed. But why tell you when I can show you?”
She shoots me a suspicious side-glance. “Okay, I’ll bite.”
“You’ll find a clue in the song that’s playing,” I say.
Her eyes shoot to the ceiling just as Florida Georgia Line belches the bridge to ‘H.O.L.Y.’.
I sing along.
Her eyes fix on mine. Her long dark eyelashes flutter like the wings of a butterfly.
I brush her long, dark, silky hair behind her shoulders. “I want you to be mine forever, Carina.”
“But I already am, Rhett.”
I shake my head. “Not fully. Not the way I want.”
Myriad emotions flash in the ocean of her blue eyes.
I break our embrace and drop to one knee.
Her eyes grow so wide, they could rival the size of the tires of a monster truck.
Randy fades the song to a low rumble before ending it all together.
Silence surrounds us.
You can only hear Carina’s breath hitch.
I take her hand in mine.
“I don’t mean to highjack your birthday, but I will.”
“Oh my God, Rhett.” Her voice is trembling.
The Callahans and our friends gather around us in a circle. Allison and Jenkins are on video duty. Miranda and April are my designated photographers.
Although this operation was planned in advance, it doesn’t stop Carina’s grandparents from snapping away. That’s all it takes for the rest of the family to follow suit.
God, I love these people.
“Mommy. Daddy.” One of Carina’s little nieces speaks up in the crowd. “What’s going on?”
Her parents shush her.
Laughter echoes in the room.
I search the crowd.
Her brother Christian approaches and hands me a small black box.
Carina’s bewildered eyes lock onto mine.
In slow motion, her lips parts and she blinks.
I know where she’s coming from.
When I was in New York for a gig, I rallied the troops and asked her dad and her mom for her hand in marriage. I made sure the brothers were there as well.
My girl comes as a package.
It’s just the way it is.