Three Years Later
“Lucille! Over here, baby!” I ran to my mother’s side as she helped Boone down the ramp. He was using a cane and taking slow, careful steps. “Ahh! Look at my baby boy!” My mother shouted at the top of her lungs.
Boone rolled his eyes and smiled. “Jeez, Mom, knock it off! You’re embarrassing me!”
She tsked as he took another steady step. “Oh hush! I will be as loud and embarrassing as I want! This is a day to celebrate!” She looked over at me. “And we’re all here to witness it.”
Forsythe joined me and wrapped his arm around my waist. “That’s right, Ms. Nellie. One big happy family.”
I looked up at him and smiled. “There you are.”
He leaned down and kissed me sweetly. “Sorry for taking so long. Torchy forgot to feed the yearlings again.”
I scoffed and rolled my eyes in a playful manner.
Forsythe nestled in real close. “You’re not mad at me, are you?” I shook my head. “It’s okay if you are.” He leaned against my ear and whispered, “You can punish me later.”
“Oh!” I smacked his hat and he smiled.
“Forsythe, dear, do you mind?” Mom waved him over to her and Boone. “I’m sorry, my back is acting up again, and I just can’t seem to do much nowadays. Boy, it sucks getting old!”
He chuckled at her words and took over, helping Boone across the yard to the passenger side of the old pick-up truck.
“Oh,” my mother sighed as she walked over to me. “Oh, baby. Your daddy would be so proud of you.” She rubbed my arm, raising my left hand high. “I just wish he was here to walk you down the aisle.”
We both admired the delicate emerald on my ring finger. I knew diamonds were more traditional, but having a stone that looked exactly like Forsythe’s eyes was prettier than any diamond. “I guess it’s a good thing Boone’s up and moving around.” We both smiled.
“I know it’s early, and no pressure, but I would love to see some grandbabies running around here.”
I patted my mom’s arm. “Yeah, it’s too early.” She whined and I laughed at her ridiculousness. “Who knows, maybe one day. We’ve actually talked about adoption.”
My mother gasped excitedly. “Oh! Oh baby, that’s so exciting.”
I smiled. “Yeah, considering how our childhood was, we figured there’s plenty of kids like us out in the world searching for a home.
And what better home to give them than Bone Ridge?
” Mom began to wipe her eyes. “Take it easy, Mom. It’s just a thought.
We haven’t made any kind of decisions, so don’t go getting your hopes up. ”
“I won’t, I promise.” She hugged me tight. “I just hope he spends the rest of life making you happy.”
Forsythe cleared his throat as we both turned to look at him.
“Don’t worry, Ms. Nellie. This little viper sunk her teeth into me a long time ago.
” He looked at me with those bright green eyes.
“And I made a promise to her, to keep her safe and take care of her.” He stepped closer and tipped my chin.
“I plan to do just that. I am a man of my word, after all.”
I smiled back at him. “Yes, you are. I just hope you’re ready for a lifetime of this.” I motioned to myself.
Forsythe leaned in close, his lips hovering over mine. “Bring it on, little viper.”
Fairytales may not be real, but this is close enough for me.