Chapter 14 #6
“Congratulations, you two. I hope you’ll be very happy,” Donna said as she kissed her son’s cheek and then her new daughter-in-law’s. That started a long line of people hugging them, kissing them, and shaking their hands.
Kyle was about to tell everyone to let the party commence when Miles stepped forward.
“Before everybody starts drinking again,” he said to twitters of laughter, “I have an announcement of my own to make.” He cleared his throat and reached for Althea, who stepped up and joined him.
“I love the co-op. Through the years, I’ve made a lot of friends there and also made a good living for my wife and girls.
But I think it’s time I stepped down, so I’m turning Pritchard’s over to the younger generation.
” One glance at Gina told Kyle she was crying, and Sabrina was doing the same.
“So a few weeks ago when Gina and Kyle first started seeing each other, I bought a piece of land. The sale went through pretty quickly, and two weeks from now, we’ll be breaking ground. ”
“You’re leaving the house? Why?” Sabrina cried out.
“No, no! We’re not leaving the house, honey! Two weeks from tomorrow, we’ll be pouring the footers and slab for the second location of Pritchard’s Farm Co-op in Madisonville, Kentucky.”
Gina’s eyes went wide and she stood there, frozen. It took a few seconds for Kyle to realize she wasn’t breathing. “Babe! Hey! Take a deep breath. It’s okay!”
Gina heaved in a chestful of air and cried out, “Oh, Daddy! Thank you, Daddy!” Right there, in front of everyone, the grown woman fell into her dad’s arms, bawling like a baby.
“You’re welcome, sweetie. Sabrina can keep working at the store in Hoptown and you’ll have this one. You’ve both done a phenomenal job of taking over the running of the place, and I can’t wait to see how both stores will bloom and grow with you at the wheel.”
Three hours later, all the guests were gone except for Sabrina, who’d stayed behind to help clean up, and Gina worked beside her in the kitchen. “Did you know what he was up to?”
Sabrina shook her head. “Not a clue. That was the best kept secret in the whole state, I guess. Did you know?”
“Nope. Nothing. Never any hint of it. So what do you really think?”
“Me? I think this is a golden opportunity for both of us. Darren is super-excited about it.”
Their conversation was hijacked when Kyle walked in. “So I talked to Keith and he’s bringing the RV back over to the house. If the kids want to stay out there, they can until we get the addition finished.”
“That’ll work.” Gina rose up on her toes and slipped a little kiss onto his lips. “You’re an amazing guy, Kyle Miller.”
“Okay, you two, I’m headed out. One more run of the dishwasher and you’ll be done.” Sabrina dropped the borrowed apron on the back of the chair and grabbed her purse. “I’m still pissed that you didn’t tell me, but congrats. You both deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you!” Gina called out as Sabrina stepped out the door. Then she sighed. “And now, peace and quiet.”
“Yeah. And the kids are at your mom and dad’s, so we’re alone.” Kyle reached for her and wrapped his hands around her waist. She leaned back, her forearms on his shoulders, and looked up into his face. “So what would you like to do, Mrs. Miller?”
She shrugged and grinned. “I dunno. Netflix and chill?”
Kyle threw his head back and laughed. “At least now I know what that means.”
“Don’t worry. It’s already old. Stale. Passé.”
“What’s the new lingo?”
Gina snickered. “I have no idea. Does it matter? As long as it means we tear each other’s clothes off and you ravage me, I don’t care what you call it.”
“What if it’s called making love?” Kyle asked as he nipped her earlobe.
“What if it’s called fucking like a couple of horndogs?” she whispered back with a giggle.
“Ooooo, I like the sound of that!”
His lips captured hers and she breathed in his kiss, soaked up the warmth of his hands on her waist, took in the scent of his shampoo and cologne. She could feel her body responding and her heartbeat quickening. “Babe?”
“Hmmm?” he mumbled against the soft flesh of her neck.
“Ever done it on the dining room table?”
“No, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything. Although I wouldn’t do it with just anybody.”
“Oh? And who would you do it with? Would you do it with me?”
Kyle pulled back and smiled down into his wife’s face. “Yep. You are the one—the only one. I kissed so damn many frogs on the way to this princess that I’ll do it whenever, wherever, and however you want.”
“Frogs, huh? Was I a frog?”
“No.” Kyle kissed the tip of her nose and smiled. “You were a princess from the very start.”