Epilogue
MINNIE
TWO MONTHS LATER
“ I can’t wait till you meet my sister face to face.” She and I talk daily, video call almost daily as well. Clay will say hello, ask how Lennie is doing, and they’ll chat for a few minutes, but today, they’re officially meeting in person.
“Same, Clementine. You gonna knock on the door, or are we waiting for Lennon to magically answer it?” Clay never uses my shortened name, Minnie. He’s the same way with Lennon. I’ve yet to ask why mostly because I love the way my full name rolls off his tongue.
“Just wait. My sister is probably on the other side of the door, ear pressed against the wood and listening in.” Clay raises his eyebrows at me like I’m crazy. I put my finger to my lips, and with the other hand, I use my fingers to count from one to three. The door flings open, and standing in the doorway is none other than Lennon Sinclair.
“You’re here! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re here!” It took us longer to get down here than we wanted. The winters in Colorado can be quite daunting, and finagling a timeframe where Amos and his wife, Genevieve, could get away to watch our animals while Trey Johnson helped with his, it was enough to make my head spin in circles. Clay being Clay had it all figured out after a couple of phone calls. Amos and Genevieve came the day before we left, and the guys caught up on whatever it is they talk about. Genny and I slowly got to know one another. She’s quiet and reserved but as sweet as pie. She opened up some when I offered coffee and dessert. Then I rambled on about how Clay and I met, that my van was deemed a total loss, and it sucked to hear the news. The check paying it off plus some helped relieve the stress a little bit. My cell phone didn’t take long to replace either; a few clicks on the laptop, a new one arrived about a week later, and I sent my old one back. The Airbnb, on the other hand, gave zero shits. My deposit all of a sudden became non-refundable even with insurance. It sucked, but fighting it didn’t help. The money would be gone, or I’d have to show up, stay, and pay the rest of the fee. I chose to lose the money. Staying with Clay and all of the animals was all I wanted. Especially after everything he did to make our first Christmas together special.
“Come in, come in,” Lennie says, rocking me back and forth, yet she isn’t letting go.
“We would if you’d quit choking me to death,” I joke. She moves from me to Clay. He wraps her up in a brotherly hug, like a brother who knows more about her than any other person on earth. One day while we were in bed, I dumped on him, telling him everything from our childhood to teenage years and into adulthood. He stated then that Lennon and Clementine Sinclair are two of the strongest women he knows. He also grumbled that shit would be changing. Even though my sister is here in Florida, he’d be helping her any way he could. I really did land on the jackpot when I fell in love with Clay Garcia.
“Whatever. I’m allowed to hug my sister and future brother-in-law.” Lennie herds us into the house. “I want to see the ring in person.” She closes the front door. The humidity is rife even in February for Florida. The hot and sticky weather is not something I’ll miss.
“Visit with your sister. I’m going to assess the situation, see what all we’re working with.” Clay reads the room and knows I need a moment with Lennie.
“Thank you. This won’t take too long.” I lift on my toes, kissing the underside of his jaw. Clay allows me to do what I want, then, before I know it, his lips are on mine and he’s making it clear he’d do a whole lot more if we were alone.
“Take your time.” He tips his stone-colored cowboy hat in Lennie’s direction and heads for the garage door. We thought about flying here and then renting a U-Haul to drive back, but Clay did some research and said it’d be stupid when he owns a truck and trailer. He’s used to making the long treks across the States, plus, though he won’t say this freely, Clay Garcia likes to be in control of the situation.
I watch as he walks away, denim on denim, boots that are scuffed from working the land, in a slow swagger that matches his Southern drawl perfectly.
Once the door is closed, Lennon fans herself. “Okay, he’s hot. I’d leave Florida and my sister in a New York minute if it meant I had the attention of a man like that.” I laugh. God, do I laugh. My sister is slowly getting her spark back. There are still dark circles beneath her eyes, but cracking jokes is better than making herself sick with worry.
“I know. He’s something else, and I love him so much, Lennie.” We move to the kitchen table, pull our chairs out, and sit down. My sister immediately grasps my hands, holding ours together.
“I’m happy for you, so happy for you.” She squeezes my hands.
“Thank you. Now, I’m not going to pry. You’ll talk to me when you’re ready, but I am absolutely pissed at you for moving all my shit out of storage by yourself.” My sister takes on everything. She told me since I wasn’t coming home, the second bedroom in her small rental sat empty, and parking outside of the garage didn’t bother her. She’d rather put herself out than allow me to spend money in a frivolous way.
“Yeah, yeah.” Lennie waves me off. I’ll do one better. Before I leave, I’ll be putting money in her jewelry box she keeps on the dresser.
The door to the garage opens, and Clay peeks his head inside. “I hate to interrupt, but, sweetheart, there are some people out here I want you to meet.” Clay has his signature grin, tilting his lips upward. Lennon is up out of her chair right along with me.
“Okay, this isn’t ominous or anything,” she says.
“It’s a good thing, promise,” Clay states.
“Are you sure?” I question.
“Sweetheart, out here is family, not blood but family all the same.” Clay clears the doorway, and once we’re inside, we’re surrounded by boxes and furniture. A lot of which I’ll either donate or ask Lennon to sell and keep the money since Clay and I went furniture shopping a while ago. The couch has been replaced, the guest bedroom is now fully kitted out, and there’s some new décor I’ve added whenever I saw something that caught my attention.
“There you two are.” I’d recognize that voice anywhere. Catherine Johnson, her husband, Russell, and their son Trey along with Sienna are standing in the driveway.
“Come on, Lennie. Let me introduce you to the most amazing woman in the world.” We’ve spoken on the phone multiple times. She even said they’d be visiting soon, but I never expected them to drive down here to help out.
“Hi, Ms. Catherine.” She hugs me tightly, one of those hugs that has depth and meaning. She does the same to Lennon.
“You two girls are gorgeous, aren’t they, Russell?” Ms. Catherine brings him into the fold.
“They sure are. Welcome to the family, Clementine, Lennon.” The guys go back to doing whatever they were doing.
Meanwhile, Ms. Catherine brings my sister and me closer to her. She cups our cheeks. “Now, don’t be upset with Clay, but he told me about your past. You may not have had family beside each other, but that’s changing. You’ve got me and my brood now. It comes with lots of love, laughter, and a shit ton of shenanigans.”
“I heard that cuss word, Mom,” Trey tosses out with a laugh.
“Yeah, yeah. Shut your trap, Trey Johnson,” Ms. Catherine states. She’s trying to be stern, but it’s hard when it comes to her boys.
“Thank you. I could use some help planning the wedding and maybe talking my sister into moving closer.” I look at Lennon. She has tears streaming down her cheeks. My strong, brave, beautiful sister is letting Ms. Catherine see a vulnerable side to her. God, I love this woman.
“I feel so much better knowing she has you closer than I can be. I’m not leaving Florida, though. Cold weather is not meant for me. The moment the temperature drops below forty degrees, I’m cranking the heat up.” Lennon isn’t lying. She’s a goddess to the sun and heat.
“You have me, too. I’ll be calling and checking in on you. Plus, it’s kind of nice out here as far as the temperature goes. You never know, maybe I’ll talk the mister into a place down here for the harsh winter months.” I’m thinking Mr. Russell would do anything his wife wants.
“Hi, I’m sorry to break this up, but I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Sienna.” I’ve seen her on the screen when Clay talks to his friends. We’ve said hi and talked here and there.
“It’s so good to finally meet you. How did you all know where we were?” I ask.
“Amos. He’s my brother. I can get information out of him easily when I’ve got an arsenal of blackmail at the ready.” All four of us girls talk about the small stuff while the guys start loading up the boxes I’m taking with us. The rest will have to wait until we’re done talking. Ms. Catherine is telling a story that has me so enraptured that the time slowly fades, and when I look up at Clay, he’s smiling at me, happiness etched on his face similar to what I’m sure is on my own.
This is happiness.
This is love.
This is everything.
I hope you enjoyed Clay and Minnie’s story and will consider leaving a review.
Coming next is Something to Talk About, Lennie and Asher’s story. It’s a brand new series and the best part is you’ll still see our favorite Johnson Family sprinkled throughout!