Chapter 3 Someone Familiar
The next morning, I slept in a little later than I expected.
Reign had a hard time falling asleep in an unfamiliar place.
I rarely liked her to sleep in bed with me, but since we were in a new space, I made an exception.
I looked over at her as she slept peacefully.
Before she woke up, I took the time to shower and dress for the day.
“Good morning, Mommy,” Reign said groggily as she wiped her eyes.
“How did you sleep?” I asked.
Reign shrugged her shoulders as she continued to rub her eyes.
“Come on. Let’s get you some breakfast,” I said.
Reign’s little feet hit the floor, and we made our way to the kitchen.
My grandparents were early risers, so I knew they were awake.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee confirmed it.
When we made it downstairs, PopPop was nowhere in sight.
I noticed the front door was open. Nana must have been doing her morning routine.
Every morning, she sat on the porch for some alone time.
Instead of going to the kitchen, I took Reign’s hand and led her to the porch.
“Good morning,” I greeted Nana as we stepped onto the porch.
“Good morning, my beautiful girls. Are you two coming to spend some time with me?” Nana asked.
I took a seat in the rocking chair next to her, and Reign sat on my lap.
“How did my city girls sleep their first night in the country?” Nana asked.
“I’m tired,” Reign grumbled.
“It took a little while, but I slept fine. Just like old times in my old bed,” I said.
Nana smiled at me as we sat on the porch and enjoyed nature.
Back in Oak River, I never took a moment to slow down.
The city was so fast paced I forgot what it was like to stop and enjoy the sound of nature.
As the birds chirped, we watched the horses in the paddock.
When Jude and I moved away, I underestimated how much I would miss everything.
We wanted to explore the big city, but sitting there with Reign, I felt better about my decision to move back home.
After a little while, Reign’s stomach rumbled.
“Somebody’s hungry. Come inside and let me get you girls some breakfast,” Nana offered.
I wanted to tell her I could fix breakfast, but it wasn’t worth going back and forth with Nana.
We followed her into the kitchen and watched her cook.
It was surreal to be with Reign. She could experience most of the things I did as a child.
When I was her age, sitting in the kitchen while Nana cooked was so exciting.
I watched Reign be as excited as I used to be.
If only Jude and my mother were there with us.
Around lunch time, there was a knock at the door. Reign and I were on the couch watching television.
“Hello! Is anyone home?” a familiar voice asked.
I rushed off the couch at the sound of her voice. When I reached the door, I squealed, “Naya, what are you doing here!”
“Listen here, Harley. I gave you all day yesterday to get settled. Today, we’re going to have some adult time, girl,” Naya, my childhood best friend, said.
Naya stepped into the house as I pulled her in for a hug. When I finally let go of her, Reign stood next to us.
“Titi Naya, I missed you,” Reign said as Naya picked her up.
“I missed you more,” Naya said as they hugged tightly.
Naya and Reign were very close. She came to visit us in Oak River multiple times a year. Naya said she didn’t want to be a long-distance godmother, and she took her responsibility in Reign’s life seriously.
“Now that you live here, we can see each other all the time,” Naya expressed as she put Reign down.
“Mommy, did you hear that? I can see Titi whenever I want,” Reign said.
“Not whenever you want, Nugget. Titi has a life,” I explained.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Naya winking at Reign. She had the girl spoiled.
Nana walked into the living room during our little reunion. “I was waiting to see how long it would take you to get over here,” she teased.
“You know I wouldn’t stay away for too long. I actually came to take my bestie out for some adult time,” Naya said.
“That sounds great. You girls go on and have fun. Reign and I can get started on dinner,” Nana said.
I looked from Naya back to Nana. It was funny how they planned my day for me. “Where are we going exactly?” I asked.
“It’s a surprise, but you need to change. Put on a cute top and some makeup,” Naya said.
I looked at her and rolled my eyes. There was no use going back and forth with her. Instead, I headed to my room to do as she said.
An hour later, Naya and I pulled up to Black Family property. While Naya drove, I noticed a sign that read Black Label.
“What are we doing here?” I asked.
“We’re going on a whiskey tour. Micah started the Black Label brand a few years back. Now, he offers tours to the public. We can have some drinks and get something to eat,” she explained.
Micah Black was a name I hadn’t heard in years.
We all went to school together, but we ran in different circles.
I was so wrapped up in my life I hardly thought of anyone outside of my circle.
The whiskey must have been very popular.
There were people everywhere I looked. Rows of cars and a few buses filled the parking lot.
“By the look of these people, I guess Micah is doing well for himself,” I said.
Naya chuckled as she parked the car. We got out, then headed toward the barn entrance.
After the door attendant scanned our passes, we walked inside.
I had been to the Black’s property before, but the barn looked renovated.
There was a high gloss finish that coated the entire wooden frame, and lights hung from the ceiling throughout the space.
The large windows allowed sunlight to fill the area. We beat some of the crowd inside.
While we waited for the tour to start, we looked around.
Barrels of what I assumed to be filled with whiskey filled a portion of the barn.
They used multiple barrels under slabs of wood to create tables.
There were ten tables throughout the space.
Naya and I continued to take in the space until a deep baritone approached us.
“It must be my lucky day. Freckles, I had no idea you were back in town,” Micah said as we locked eyes.
My brain temporarily fizzled as I took him in.
Micah had always been handsome, but his features had matured.
He stood over six feet tall with a deep-chocolate complexion, and diamonds glistened in both of his ears.
He wore a button-up with the sleeves rolled up to show his tattoos.
Micah had an effect on me I hadn’t felt in a while.
I must have been too caught up in Jude to notice how handsome Micah had become.
I finally found my voice and answered him. “Yes, I just got in yesterday. This place is amazing by the way. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. My great-grandfather’s long-lost whiskey recipe saved my life. Now, here I am, trying to keep his legacy alive. I have to get the tour started, but I’ll see you again soon, beautiful,” he teased. Micah winked at me as he stood in front of the crowd.
“Freckles, huh? I haven’t heard him call you that in forever. Who knew Micah still had a little nickname for you?” Naya teased.
My cheeks rose as I blushed. “Oh, please. You know our mothers were friends. He’s been calling me Freckles since we could talk.”
“Sure, Harley. Tell me anything,” she said.
I ignored Naya as Micah greeted the crowd.
He spoke so passionately about his great-grandfather and the family’s path into the whiskey business.
His deep voice was so sexy. I could listen to him talk all day long.
Micah smiled as he spoke to the crowd. I could tell he was passionate about whiskey.
The tour was nice, and the food was good.
We tasted every flavor of whiskey the Black brand offered.
I wasn’t much of a drinker, but I made a note of the flavors I enjoyed.
Naya and I were in our own little world while we enjoyed the food and drinks.
Micah was busy hosting everyone, so we didn’t get to speak again.
As my evening wound down, I knew we would see each other again.
It was a small town, after all. The question was when that would be.