Chapter 54 Lucy
The diner’s closed for breakfast on Sunday’s, most people are at church anyway and it’s more of a hassle to wait around on one or two tables. So, it’s become tradition that on Sunday’s the Tritt’s get together to eat.
Mawmaw’s not here yet, which is fine. I don’t want her to lift a finger today. She works too hard as it is.
Reese laughs when I hand him an apron, but puts it on and joins me at the table. Wrapping his arms around my middle, his front pressing me into the metal. He growls in my ear.
“I can imagine you naked behind that apron, Goldie. Your cunt squeezin’ my cock while I fuck your perfect pussy, and watchin’ your ass bounce with every thrust.” He groans and bites my ear, and I grind back into him.
His filthy fucking mouth threatens to melt me right here. I twist around and start to undo his belt buckle but the back door opens and Briar walks in with Colt and Jarrett.
Reese tuts in my ear, “Naughty, Goldie.”
I smack his shoulder before turning back around and attempt to compose myself.
“Thank you for comin’ to help,” I tell them, fighting a laugh that’s trying to break free as Reese pinches my ass making me yelp.
Putting them on pancake duty, I have Briar make eggs and sausage gravy while I make biscuits. Maxine’s tea’s already brewing, and I’ve got freshly squeezed orange juice in the cooler.
Everyone starts to trickle in, including Uncle Scott and Aunt LuAnna. Heath offers to help, and I wave him toward the front to sit. I’ve already set the table so there’s nothing anyone needs to do.
We’re all settled at the table, plates full, laughter flowing when I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. Jumping out of my seat, I smile and let Yates and Callie into the diner.
Reese eyes me, as I hug the two of them and show them to their seats.
Everyone welcomes them with open arms and Reese grips my hand under the table.
Jare stands, and it’s clear he’s got some feelings built up that he’s ready to release.
His tears fall and everyone allows them their privacy, as much as we can anyway sitting in the middle of the diner.
I know it’s been hard for Reese to see Yates since he’s so busy and with the cancer being so aggressive I don’t want him to miss out on these things.
He grips my knee under the table and I offer him a smile. Conversation flows and everyone’s having a good time. Bellies full, Reese clears his throat, gathering everyone’s attention.
“Thank you, for opening your arms to my family,” he says looking at me. “I’d like to extend the same.”
My brows furrow in curiosity, where is he going with this?
“Mason, my co-owner and I, would like to extend an invitation to our ranch at any time. And to officially announce the first annual carnival to raise funds for the Turner Dude Ranch.”
Gasps sound around the table, and I catch Mawmaw’s smile.
“Reese–” I start, unsure where I’m going from there. His announcement makes my heart soar in my chest.
“We’re honored to help,” he says, resting his hand on top of mine on the table.
Heath holds up his glass of tea and says, “To a successful carnival!”
Everyone joins in, and all too soon we’re cleaning up, including Mawmaw because she can’t help herself. Packing the leftovers up, I bag them and wait for Reese to be done mopping the floor. He didn’t have to, but he wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Taking the dirty mop water out the back, he dumps it and cleans the bucket before bringing it back in.
“Ready to head out?” He asks, pulling me into his chest and placing a kiss to the top of my head.
“Yeah, just let me lock up,” I check the front door and head back, everyone’s walking out the back except Reese. He waits, offering me his hand as we leave, locking the door behind us.
Climbing into the truck, with Reese holding the door open for me, he reaches across the seats, buckling me in. Rounding the front he jumps in, rolls the windows down and heads toward his house.
Pulling into the ranch, he drives past the house taking us in a direction that doesn’t have a path. When he parks, he smiles at me and hops out, joining me on my side as I climb out of the truck.
Shutting the door, he presses my back gently against the metal and presses his lips to mine. One hand circles the side of my neck while the other squeezes my hip.
“I have somethin’ I wanna show you,” he says with one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen on his face.
Tugging me into his hip, we walk side by side. Staring at him, I almost trip over my own feet when he stops a handful of paces from the house, and my eyes roam over the six lines of dirt ready to be farmed.
“Did you…” I start, blinking a few times to clear the growing wetness. “Is this…”
Reese turns my way, grabs both of my hands, and smiles. “I wanted you to have a little bit of home here. What’s mine is yours, Goldie.”
“Reese.” My heart’s going to burst, whatever cosmic force pushed us together, I could kiss it a million times over.
“It’s your own garden, whatever you want to plant here, it’s all yours,” he says, looking down at me. I can feel his gaze hot on my cheek, and I smile up at him.
Wrapping my hands around his neck, I lace my fingers together and lift up on my toes to press my lips to his.
“Thank you,” I whisper, cupping his neck and arching into him. “I feel at home already.”