Chapter 48
Favorite piece of him?
This relationship is clearly making me soft, because I could cry knowing that Rhett not only knows about my ‘family’ and doesn’t think any less of me, but literally views me as a piece of his heart.
I honestly never thought I’d see a day where that meant so much to me.
Where someone else’s view of me mattered.
Not because it changes how I view myself, but rather, because it makes me feel like I’m not only enough for me, but I also make someone else feel whole.
I never even thought the day would come where I liked anyone enough to meet the people they love most.
Pulling up to Rhett’s house is equal parts nervewrecking and exciting.
I’m excited I get to meet the people who shaped him into the kind, gentle, fun spirit that he is, while simultaneously worried that they will end up not liking me and unravel something I want to keep so badly.
I don’t know why I feel the need to be worried.
Even though I haven’t met them, it already feels like I know them, but part of me also believes they will want to protect Rhett from any damage I could cause more than they’ll want to give me a chance.
I’m pessimistic to a fault. I see the worst to protect myself, and it annoys me that I build up walls. It’s just what I’ve programmed myself to do. But today it stops. It has to if I ever want to truly give all of myself to him. And more and more, I believe I do.
The small red house finally comes into view, and Rhett squeezes my leg one last time before pulling it away.
“Everythin’ is goin’ to be great. Don’t worry.
They don’t bite. Well, maybe Duke, but not Ma and Dad.
” He chuckles as he shuts off the engine and leans in to kiss me.
I savor the feel of lips against mine, the familiar scent of his Axe body spray swirling around us.
Maybe we can just turn around, go back to my place and spend the night together.
No. I have to do this. I want to do this.
Rhett breaks the kiss and gets out of the truck, racing around to open my door. I roll my eyes at the spectacle he makes of it, but I can’t help but laugh. Ever the Prince Charming, seeing my worries and doing his best to ease them.
I jump down from the cab and lace my fingers with his, trying my best to relax because he’s right. This shouldn’t be scary. All they are is an extension of the person I care about, and if they are worth being scared of, he’d have already said something by now.
A small woman exits the house, wearing denim overalls, a maze yellow t-shirt, and that same bright smile that Rhett does. Without a doubt, this must be his mom.
“Hey, Ma.” His voice is filled with joy as he releases my hand and wraps his arms around her.
He’s at least half a foot taller than her as he pulls her into his embrace, but she squeezes back just as tightly. Her eyes close and the brightest smile I’ve ever seen warms her features. Almost like she was seeing him for the first time in forever and hadn’t expected to ever see him again.
I wonder if that’s how her hugs always appear from the outside looking in. If she shows this much love every time she sees her family, or if it’s just the distance that makes her heart grow fonder of her son.
“I missed you.” She leans back, grabbing his arms and giving him a once over. “You look great. It seems all that construction is keeping you strong. And I bet I know the reason for that smile too.”
She turns her focus on me, looking in my direction, and smiles even brighter before taking a few steps toward me.
I go to shake her hand, but she hugs me instead. And funny enough, it feels just as warm and tender as the hug she gave Rhett. Her aura reminds me of Daisy, kind and gentle in the most genuine way. Actually happy to see not only her son, but the both of us.
She pulls away and I release my hold just as quick.
Unlike Rhett, her hair is medium brown, cut short, and incredibly curly.
She doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, she isn’t covered in sparkles of any kind, but her energy seems to replace all the things that truly aren’t necessary.
I wonder if I wore my usual clothes or the pink in my hair if she’d like me, or if removing those things makes me less myself.
I start to overanalyze every move I’ve made, because I don’t want to hide who I am or have them change their minds about me because I showed up as something I’m not. Simple.
“My name’s Scarlett, but you can call me Lettie, and you must be Kaylee.
” She takes a step back as Rhett moves closer to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“We’re so happy to have you here… Speaking of we, the boys are over at the Mandry’s finishing up for the day.
” She looks back and forth between us. “Rhett’s Dad, of course, said he could get everything he wanted done in a timely manner, and, per the usual, the cattle had something else in mind.
I guess Juniper, one of the cows, is off having her calf. ”
“That’s so exciting,” I blurt out and immediately hush myself.
Embarrassed, because not only did no one ask my opinion, but since they always have cattle, it’s probably not something they find normal to fawn over.
Honestly, my outburst shocked me too. But even though animals aren’t really my thing, there’s something so adorable about baby animals.
“Well, you heard the girl, Rhett. You’ll have to take her to see that baby.” Lettie sounds just as joyous about the idea as I feel. “Dinner is almost ready, so the trip will have to wait.”
He intertwines our fingers, nodding in agreement. “That sounds like a good idea to me.”
“It’s so nice meeting you, sweetie. How about y’all come inside and I’ll pull out the baby books so you can see Rhett as a baby too?”
The calf had my attention, but pictures of Rhett through the years is even more enticing.
We follow behind her and enter their living room.
The space is tight, but welcoming. Family photos are hung on the beige walls and pictures adorn every shelf.
Each of the boys have a frame that shows every school picture from kindergarten to graduation, and I smile at all the toothless grins.
A large fireplace has books on either side of it, and surrounding it is a set of forest green recliners and a leather sofa.
She heads over to the shelves and pulls down a handmade book. The fabric is blue and white pinstripe, and around the edge is a small white lace detail. On the cover, embroidered by hand, is Rhett.
“I hope ya took all the awful ones out, Ma. I want her to like me, not laugh at me,” he jokes.
I bump his arm with my shoulder. “I would never.”
Actually, wrong. I would poke fun, but only because I know he can take it.
“Just kiddin’, Ma. She promises to stick around even after she sees the ones Dad took of me and Duke at Hooters.” I nudge him again when he sends me an over exaggerated wink.
“Rhett, you behave.” Lettie laughs, handing the book to me before heading into the kitchen.
I have zero photos from when I was young.
I left them all at home and never looked back, but today I wish I’d taken them, because they were my childhood.
Though I can’t remember a single memory worth reminiscing, there was a time that I do believe Mom tried to make us a family.
To get us together by the Christmas tree, or to capture something, even if it was a forced smile for a photo that was only ever taken for proof that we did, at one point, do things together.
“See, she’s not too bad. Already wants to show ya the baby books. That’s got to be a good sign.” His words snap me from my daze and I glance up, finding his brows knit together, his lips in a frown. “Ya alright?”
“Yeah, I just realized I don’t have anything like this to show you.”
“Ya can tell me about the memories ya liked and we’ll make new ones. Bet Ma would be thrilled to create a Kaylee book.”
A lump forms in my throat that I can’t seem to swallow. Unshed tears burn in the rim of my eyes. God, he really is perfect, isn’t he? Swooping in to save the day, even when he isn’t trying. “I like the sound of that,” I all but whisper.
We flip through the pages, and under each photo are hand-written dates and mentions of where or why they were taken.
Page one is all photos of Rhett and his parents at the hospital.
Lettie looks younger and her hair is longer, but she is still just as beautiful and warm now as she was then.
Next to her is clearly his dad. Rhett couldn’t deny the man if he wanted to.
Their only difference is the mustache his father wears.
His eyes are kind, and you can tell that he viewed that moment as one of his favorites.
A smile filled with life, filled with joy.
Funny enough, he’s exactly how I pictured.
“You were so cute,” I confess.
“Were? Have ya seen me now?” He chuckles as he lays his head atop mine and flips the page.
Every page we turn is a new milestone. From walking, to the birth of Duke, and riding a bike, all the way to graduation.
Each picture a story I want to hear, but feel happy to also see.
By the time we reach the end, the front door swings open and in walks his dad and Duke. We both rise to say hello.
“Ya pick up a stray?” Duke says as his eyes flicker between Rhett and I.
I cut in before Rhett has a chance. “Yeah, I found him on the side of the road. He seemed harmless, but he only likes grape jelly beans and coffee, so I might take him back.”
His dad and brother look at each other, then back at me, and burst into laughter. “Dammit, I like her already.” Duke can barely catch his breath. “Without a doubt, ya have to be the angel with a bit of fire he’s constantly yappin’ about.”
I look back at Rhett, and he raises his hands like this is a stick up. “Listen, I prepared ya both for each other.”