Chapter 26 #2
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Casey said after a pause.
He finished chewing his cracker and shook hands with both people.
“I haven’t seen the two of you for a damn few years.
How are things? How’s the campground? Guess it shows how long it’s been since I went fishin’ since I ain’t been out there in so long.
” He turned to me. “Bryce, this is Pete and Wendy. They’ve been in Haven Grove forever.
The campground and bait and tackle shop are theirs.
” I reached out to shake hands as Casey went on.
“This is my boyfriend, Bryce. He owns Armstrong Health & Fitness.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
Pete and Wendy returned to the greeting.
Casey gestured toward a table off in the corner. “Sit on down, tell us what’s been going on.” He slapped Pete on the back. “Damn, man. It’s been too long. You been hidin’ out there?”
Pete and Wendy filled us in on the campground and bait and tackle shop.
I also learned that Pete and Wendy had both been married to other people many years ago.
The four of them had been friends. Between the four of them, they’d owned the campground and the bait and tackle shop.
When Pete’s wife died, and a couple years later, Wendy’s husband died, Pete and Wendy had turned to each other for support.
“At first, we were just grieving friends,” Wendy said. “But we figured out we had a thing for each other and hopefully a lot more years together, so we decided to give it a go.”
“She’s my Wendy,” Pete said, taking her hand.
“He’s my Peter Pan, he keeps me young,” Wendy said.
“She takes me to Never Never Land.” Pete gave a little wink-wink and we all laughed.
“Well, it’s damn good to see you both. You need to make it a habit to come around more often. We’ll get you set up with gym memberships,” Casey said over his mug of hot apple cinnamon crème brulee cider.
“Well, we actually just came tonight to say our good byes,” Pete said.
“The fuck you say. You’re leavin’?” Casey asked.
“We are. We’re getting too old for these cold Midwest winters. The Sunshine state is calling our names.” Wendy rested her head on Pete’s shoulder. “Shuffleboard, early buffets, and never having to deal with snow again. Sounds like a dream.”
“We’ve got a place lined up,” Pete said.
“We’re driving the RV down and setting up in a campground lot.
We’ll stay there for a few years until it’s time to move into something with a bit more support.
” He patted Wendy’s hand. “We’re ready to be done with owning a business here, but we’re not ready for assisted living just yet. ”
“That sounds like a damn good plan,” Casey said around a bite of cake.
I knew by the way he chewed it was absolutely delicious.
He put his fork down, probably so he could savor each remaining bite a little later.
“We’re just hitting our strides with the businesses, but I can see getting to a point where you’re ready to let it go. ”
“Are you selling or closing down?” I asked.
I’d seen the campgrounds and the bait and tackle shop on the east side of Haven Grove.
Both were close to each other on the other side of a large lake.
I knew very little about either business, but the few bits I heard led me to believe they were lucrative set ups.
“Well,” Pete started. “We’ve asked our grandsons to take over. God-willin’, they’ll be interested, and the family businesses will continue on.”
Wendy shrugged. “We know we can’t force them to do it, but they grew up here, so we’re hoping they’ll want to come home and keep things going.”
Casey cocked his head. “Those boys of yours were a few years younger than Hudson if I’m remembering right. Fuckin’ hell if I can remember their names.”
Pete chuckled. “Travis Dean and JC.”
Casey slapped the table. “That’s right. Travis Dean because his dad was Travis too. JC…feels like I maybe didn’t hear him called that much.”
Wendy smiled. “I call him JC, he went by Joey a lot.”
Casey nodded. “Damn, it’s all comin’ back. They were best friends, right? Feel like I used to hear stories about them plannin’ to take over the businesses. I bet they’ll love comin’ home to do that.”
A look of something, maybe guilt, passed between Pete and Wendy.
“Well, the boys didn’t leave Haven Grove on the best of terms. We aren’t even sure they’ve kept in touch. We each talk to our grandsons often, but they haven’t kept us in the loop on whatever misunderstanding sent them off on their separate ways never looking back,” Pete said.
“So, we’re letting them know the businesses are theirs if they want them. If not, we’ll sell them and live our life.” Wendy took her final bite of cake. “We really need to visit with some of the others before we head home.” She dabbed a napkin to her lips. “It was so good to see you both.”
We said our goodbyes to Pete and Wendy, wishing them all the best on their new adventure down in Florida, and they went off to chat with others just as Jack had intended with his social club.
“This is the best cake that boy has ever made,” Casey said, his eyes closed as he savored the last bite.
I elbowed him. “You say that about every cake Jack makes.”
“Fuck off. I mean it this time.”
“I’m going to the restroom, be right back,” I said, pressing a kiss to Casey’s cheek. “Give you some alone time with your cake.”
Casey snorted. “Shut up. It’s damn good cake.”
When I returned from the restroom, Dizzy was talking to Casey. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and she patted Casey’s leg. “Barb and I are heading out. You boys will be over for dinner this week, right?”
We agreed, and I gave my aunt a hug. “Be careful driving home.”
“Oh, I’m just going to sleep at Barb’s. It’s a lot easier to drive home in the daylight. And we’re going to take some of the blankets to the hospital tomorrow anyway.”
“Tell Cassie I said hi.” I needed to take Casey out to meet my sister and her family soon.
By the time we’d done what Casey referred to as shootin’ the shit with everyone else, helped Jack by gathering trash and dirty dishes—which he swore we didn’t need to do—and given hugs to the guys, Casey was a bit twitchy.
“You good?” I asked as we headed toward the hill.
He jerked his gaze toward me. “Yeah, why?”
I raised a brow. “I don’t know, you just seem jumpy or something.”
“Yeah, I’m good. Just wanna get the fuck home. It’s too damn cold and not even really winter yet.”
Casey nearly ran up the hill.
It was cold and windy, sure. But he was acting weird all the same.
“Grab the mail,” Casey said as we reached the house. “I gotta piss.”
I carried the one piece of mail inside and tossed it on the counter before noticing Casey was lighting candles. “Whatcha do? Stink up the bathroom?” I teased.
Casey ignored me. “Anything in the mail?” he asked, his back turned to me as he took off his coat and hung it on the back of a chair.
“Just one thing. Probably a get well card for you.” I placed my coat next to Casey’s and stretched.
“Can you get it?” Casey asked as he rushed to the living room.
“What? Why?” Casey had never been one to be too concerned about the mail. Always just some damn fuckin’ bills or junk he usually said.
“Just wanna read it,” he said.
He was already in the living room, so I grabbed the card and followed him.
Holding it out to him, I studied his face. “Babe, I’m not tryin’ to pry, but did you accidentally get the spiked drink tonight? You’re all twitchy and weird.”
He pushed the card back at me. “Open it, looks like it’s for you.”
I scowled and studied the name on the front. “How? Who even knows I’m living here? And who would send me a card?” I turned it over and then back again. “There’s not even a stamp on it.”
Casey shrugged.
When I opened the envelope and removed the card, I saw a gorgeous watercolor painting on the front. Inside, I found a folded-up piece of paper.
Glancing at Casey, I saw his eyes on me, watching intently.
“What is this?” I asked.
He nodded toward the paper. “Just read it.”
Dear Bryce,
I needed to write one more letter, but this one isn’t to help pass the time as we await homecoming from the retreat.
This letter is maybe the most important I’ll ever write.
The days my boys were born were the two most important days of my life. They made me a father, and for that, I will forever be grateful. My life would be nothing without them. I plan to spend the rest of my life making sure they know they are loved and supported by their dad.
The day my wife left was one of the most instrumental in changing me into who I am today.
When Billy died, it all felt like too much.
From that moment on, all my life experiences up to that point worked together to shape me.
Sometimes, it felt like they were trying to break me, like I couldn’t keep on, but I came out stronger on the other side.
And then there’s you.
So many points in my life seem like they can be broken down into before and after. Before Missy, after Missy. Before Billy died, after Billy died. Before my boys were born, after my boys were born.
Something wonderful and new and damn fucking important started the day you showed up here. Before Bryce and after Bryce, and nothing will ever be the same.
From the first time I saw you at the Roadhouse, I was drawn in. When Lance was talking to you, I wanted to be right there hearing your voice, just soaking you up. When Hudson called you a snack, I wanted to know more about you, even wanted to ask damn questions just to learn about who you were.
And then you ran your damn ass across my property, caught me at one of my lowest moments, and sat with me.
That was the first time in a long time, maybe in my whole life, I felt comfortable and safe to just be me with someone.
Probably one of the only times trespass turned out positive around these parts.
I didn’t go to the retreat for the boys or Lance or you.
I went to the retreat for me.
But also for the boys and Lance.
And for you.
For us.
You are the only person on this planet who cheerfully and patiently puts up with my shit, and you have since day one.
You’re the only person who calls me on my shit without hesitation.
No one else I’d rather live with, work with, or spend my time with.
I hope like fuckin’ shit I’m not messing this up, if it’s too much too soon, just tell me to fuck right off.
The letter ended.
No closing.
No Love, Casey.
Just cut right off.
I turned the paper over.
Nothing.
Then I looked at Casey.
In front of me.
On one knee.
With a matte-black ring held between his finger and thumb.
He took my hand and cleared his throat.
“You weren’t the only reason I survived, but you’re one of the reasons that made all that work worthwhile,” he said.
“I’m grateful to have a future to look forward to, and I want that future to be with you.
If you’ll have me.” When Casey looked up at me, tears glinted in his eyes. “Bryce, will you marry me?”
The lump of emotion in my throat was too much to swallow down, so I nodded and pulled Casey to his feet. I was still nodding when our mouths met in a way too toothy kiss, and we both laughed.
“Is that a yes?” Casey asked.
“Yes,” I finally managed as he slipped the ring onto my finger.
“This might be dumb, but…” He paused and reached into his pocket to reveal a second ring. “I thought—”
I snatched the ring away from him so fast and reached for his hand.
“I love you, and I’d be honored to spend the rest of our years together.
” Slipping the matching wedding band onto his finger, I lifted his hand to my lips and kissed his knuckles.
“Where’d you get the rings?” I asked as I studied our ring-adorned fingers in the dim light of the living room.
Casey smirked. “Dizzy was a dog with a bone the moment I mentioned it. She took care of everything. Just had to wait for you to go piss so she could make the drop. Honestly, thought she was goin’ to explode from excitement.
” He glanced toward the dark window. “Wouldn’t shock me at all if she’s out there right now. ”
I laughed and let Casey hug me close. “She’ll tell folks for the rest of her life she got us together.”
Casey shrugged. “Figure it don’t hurt. That little fib I told maybe got us together a bit faster than my dumb ass would have figured shit out. But if it makes her happy to claim matchmaker, I don’t mind.” He touched the ring on my finger. “If you don’t like—”
“Shut up,” I blurted. “I love it. It’s perfect.
” I savored the new weight, the warmth of the metal against my skin, the way the black band interrupted the usually bare skin of my finger.
“I don’t care if we go to the courthouse tomorrow, see Brother Larry on Sunday, or just exchange our own private vows together, this is all I’ll ever need. ”
“Fuckin’ hell,” Casey groused. “We are not asking Brother Larry to marry us. He’d probably have a fuckin’ stroke.
” He hugged me close. “I think a backyard wedding right here. Small, just us, the guys, and your family.” Casey rocked me back and forth.
“And maybe a cruise for our honeymoon? I’ve never been on a big ship. Maybe we make it a whole group thing?”
“I’ve never loved the sound of anything more,” I murmured into his chest.
“You sure you want to be stuck here in Haven Grove with me for the rest of your life?” Casey asked.
“Do I want to run my business with the man I love, spend every day with friends who have become family, be close to my parents, sister, and her kids, and get to be part of whatever shenanigans the Riggs family gets up to in the years to come?” I asked with a cocked brow.
“When you put it like that, it does sound pretty fuckin’ amazin’,” Casey said. “Hell, sign me up.”
“Sign me up too,” I murmured against his lips. “I’m here to stay.”
Casey sighed into the kiss. “Fuckin’ hell. Best damn words I’ve ever heard.”