Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
“ Her heart did whisper for he had done it for her .”
~Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
T he end of a workday hadn’t ever been so satisfying as they had over the last few weeks in Perry. In Long Beach, logging off and leaving the Sloan-Whitney offices meant fighting traffic for an hour only to log back on, reading more emails and reports from home. Here, when the day was over it was over. As the screen dimmed on the laptop when she shut it off, she’d moved into time with friends, family, and Clayton.
“Hey.” An almost wicked smirk spread on Clayton’s face, as he walked down the steps of the farmhouse to her. “You and those jeans.”He wrapped his arms around her, cupping her ass through the painted-on skinny jeans she wore.
She squeaked when he pinched.
“I can’t tell if these jeans will motivate me or distract me tonight.”
“If you’re good tonight, I’ll let you take them off me,”she purred.
“What will you let me do if I’m bad?” His low voice rumbled through her, making all her lady bits clench.
“Why, Doc Owens, are you flirting with me?”
“Oh baby, I think we are way past flirting.”He nipped her lips.
The warmth of his hand on her lower back as he guided them through the crowded VFW toward their usual table caused a starry-eyed smile to bloom on Elle’s face. Clayton’s hands had been on every single part of her body, but still the feel of his protective palm on her back made her feel like the Hope Diamond. There was no doubt that her uncle, aunt, and Tobey loved her. That she was important to them, but with Clayton it was different. Something she couldn’t explain, but the sensation cascaded within her.
“Lady Elle!” Jerome’s bulky arms scooped Elle up in a hug, then turning to Clayton. “Sir Clayton.”
"King Jerome.” Clayton bowed.
“Kids,” Pete drawled, walking over.
“Where’s my handsome husband?” Jerome’s gaze darted around the room.
“He’s helping Janet lug a few things into the banquet room for tomorrow.I was told I’m not allowed to help, because it’s birthday stuff.”
It seemed fitting that Pete’s fiftieth birthday party would be held in the VFW banquet room.This place had played a pivotal role in this family’s life. Uncle Pete had played darts here for years with his dad, then his wife, and now his son.Janet and Pete’s wedding reception had been held in this very room. Both Elle and Tobey had graduation parties here.
“Hey, Clayton, why don’t we see if Mom needs more help?” Jerome suggested, placing his hand on Clayton’s shoulder.
Clayton nodded at Jerome before placing a kiss on Elle’s cheek. “Be right back.”
“I’ll go order drinks and wings.The usual, everyone?”Elle peered at her trio of men, who all grinned in agreement.
Breaking away, Elle made her way to the crowded bar. As usual, Laney was behind the counter directing customers with the grace and ease of a sassy orchestra conductor.
“Eleanor…Elle… the usual?” Laney asked with an upward tilt of her backwards-cap-wearing head.
“Yes. Do you have Ketel One?”Elle teased with a sardonic smile knowing what the response would be.
“Still a VFW, darlin’.”Laney’s impish smirked taunted as she leaned onto the bar.
Elle joined Laney leaning against the smooth bar surface. “A girl can hope.”
“Sweetheart, the VFW is where hope comes to die.” Laney jested, yanking a bottle of vodka from the mirrored shelf behind the bar.
As Laney stirred the drink, Elle took in the sea of boisterous smiles, teasing grins, and jovial faces. Hope did not come here to die. It lived here. In every crevice.
“I wouldn’t agree with that,” Elle countered.
“You haven’t worked here for five years.” Laney shrugged and placed Elle’s drink in front of her before reaching for a clear pitcher from below the bar.
“Laney stop, you love it here!”An elderly man in a Vietnam Veteran hat hollered warmly. “If you didn’t, you’d take Noah Wilson up on his offer.I’ve seen him try to poach you on five different occasions to work at that fancy bar of his.”
“Lloyd, if I went to work for Noah Wilson, who would cut you off and call your wife to pickup your sorry ass after too many Labatts?”Laney pointed at the older man with her right hand as she slid the now full pitcher of beer over to Elle.
It was clear to Elle that Laney’s sassy and snarky retorts were a total act. The warm glow in her green eyes as she bantered with the regulars and newcomers spoke of a woman who loved what she did.Although she and Todd together behind the Wine Down bar would be an endless barrage of sarcastic spunk for Noah.
“How much do I owe you?”Elle set the drink and pitcher on the worn bar and moved to pull out her wallet.
“Oh, I think that very handsome man behind you plans on paying.”Laney clucked her tongue.
Elle rolled her eyes, knowing it was either Clayton or her uncle but suspected the “very” in Laney’s statement spoke of Clayton. Elle wasn’t the only person not immune to the penetrating gray eyes, cut body, and thoughtful smile of Clayton Owens. With a shake of her head, she turned.
“Hey, gorgeous.”Viet’s handsome face beamed at her.
“Oh my god!” Elle shrieked, throwing her arms around her friend and startling a few of the bar patrons. “You’re here!”
“I know!”He agreed with a deep laugh, as they jumped up and down like giddy kids.
“How are you here?”Elle stepped back, blinking at him.
“Well, there are these things called planes,”he quipped.
Elle lightly punched his arm in response to his sarcasm.
“I missed Tobey’s wedding.I couldn’t miss Pete’s birthday. They’re family, just like you are.”
Elle brushed the happy tears from her eyes.
“Are you crying?”he gaped.
“I seem to do that more these days. These are happy, though.”
“I missed you.” He tugged her in, squeezing her tight.
“Uncle Pete is going to lose his mind that you are here.”
“Oh, he knows. He and Clayton helped orchestrate this surprise.”Viet gestured over to where Elle’s family and Clayton stood at their usual table, wearing giant grins while watching her reunion with Viet. “Your man DM’d me last week and worked this all out. I guess you’ve told him a lot about me, and he felt it was important I was here…and I agreed.”
“What about work?”
He waved his hands like a king dismissing his subjects.“I can afford to take a few days.After getting Clayton’s message, it made me remember what is important to me. You are my people. I really should have been here sooner for you.”
“You were here for me.You always have been.”Elle clenched his hands and pulled him in for another hug.
Even when Viet had not been physically there, he had been a constant presence in her life.He had always been, since their first meeting as college freshmen.He was one of her people, and always would be.Viet was a steadying force in her life.An unyielding source of patience and, at times, pushing love for her.
“And you have always been there for me.” Sincerity swam in Viet’s warm eyes. “Oh! I have another surprise for you.”
“Elle’s Bells!” Willa’s voice boomed as she ran from behind a group of Navy veterans. She darted toward Elle, almost tackling her in a joyful hug.
“I can’t.” Elle sniffled, the happy tears overwhelming her.
“Girl, you lied to me.”Willa chastised. “The other hot farmer picked us up at the airport. You said that hot farmers were a myth, but the Greek god that picked us up is even better than the pictures you sent. Oh my god, I want to have his babies.”
“What? Who?”
“Him!” Moaning as if taking the first lick of ice cream, Willa gestured to Noah, who stood with his hands in his pockets, talking to Clayton. “That man is the living breathing embodiment of every sexual fantasy I have ever had. The things I would do to him.”
“Please keep those things to yourself,”Elle warned.
“Too late. I may have to represent her in a forthcoming sexual harassment suit.”Viet looped his arm around Elle’s shoulders.
“What?” Willa batted her eyes. “I made a simple offer to bear his children. Plus, I didn’t see him protest.”
“Willa, please don’t,” Elle begged with a laugh.
“What if I get written consent for some extra saucy flirting?”
“Poor Noah.” Elle waved her hands in the air toward Noah, whose blue eyes floated between Clayton and their little threesome. A flirty grin tugged at his lips as he peered at them. Elle suspected the smile wasn’t for Viet nor her.
“You mean the future Mr. Andrews,”Willa purred, twining a long strand of her caramel-colored hair around her finger.
“The future Mr. Andrews?”Elle choked back a laugh.
“Oh, he’s going to take my name after he has all my babies.”
“Have we told him this yet?”
“She sure has.” Viet shook his head.
“Stop clutching your metaphorical pearls, Viet. I wasn’t that bad.” Willa’s glare glinted with playfulness.
“Hey!” Pete shouted from across the room. “Stop hogging Viet!”
“My public awaits.” Viet announced, grabbing the pitcher of beer in his left hand and looping his right arm in Elle’s.
“So does my future baby daddy.”Willa grabbed Elle’s drink with her right hand and looped her left arm in Elle’s.
“I love you both so much.” Elle gushed, walking arm and arm with her two best friends toward her favorite people.