Jamal drove Lorna out to his gardens the next day. When they arrived, he parked his truck near his work van and got out to help Lorna exit the vehicle. Joining hands, he led her to the greenhouse as she looked around the land.
“It’s so pretty here,” Lorna told him.
“Yeah, I love it. The quiet and the nature…” Jamal agreed.
She continued to look around. “You bought a lot of land.”
He nodded. “My plan was to build my Beauty a house here, but my plans have changed.”
They reached the greenhouse and he showed her inside to where the flowers were blooming. Lorna turned to him. “This is where it all happens?”
Jamal wrapped her in an embrace. “Here, and in your arms…”
He kissed her and Lorna reveled in the firmness of his body underneath his coat and jeans. He lifted his head and she stared up at him.
“I should’ve visited you more out here,” Lorna told him.
“You’re here now,”
Jamal kissed her again, until there was a light knock outside. He went and opened the door for Casey.
“Hey, Jamal. This is amazing!” she said, stepping inside.
“Thanks, let me show you around.”
They met up with Lorna, and the two women greeted one another, before Jamal began a tour for both of them. First, he showed them his inventory of flowers and plants, then they headed outside where he grew small shrubs and trees.
Lorna smiled at him. “Wow, I didn’t know that you did all this…”
Jamal shrugged as Casey pointed to the land he’d prepped. “Looks like you’re about to grow something over there?”
He led them over to the large field. “This is where I’m going to grow my marijuana crop.”
Casey turned to him. “Did you say marijuana?”
“Yeah, I’m applying to become a medical marijuana grower,” Jamal explained.
She looked shocked. “Are you serious?”
Jamal nodded.
“You have to tell me all about it! I don’t know a black man who’s a major player in that industry. Most of them have received some jail time for possessing it,” Casey said animated.
“I know,” Jamal agreed. “I want to profit from this industry.”
“It’s almost a billion dollars,” Casey added.
“Exactly, and I’ve got the knowledge and the skills to make it successful,” Jamal told her.
Casey shook her head in awe. “This is an incredible story, Jamal. I just read an article in Forbes that focused on the number of women getting into this industry. They showed a photo of fifty women and only one was black, and they put her in the back of the picture.”
Jamal smiled. “I read that too,”
Casey gave a warm laugh. “You read Forbes?”
“Yeah, I do.”
Lorna watched the interaction between Casey and Jamal with a lifted brow. Catching her expression, Jamal slipped an arm around her waist and looked down at her.
“Lorna is helping me get my application in order,” he said, smiling at her.
“A successful black-owned Inn, and a medical marijuana grower in the same little town? This is amazing!” Casey exclaimed. “I have a million questions for you both.”
The next two hours, Jamal and Lorna sat with Casey in his office, answering her questions for her articles. Lorna could hear Jamal’s passion about this venture when he spoke to Casey. She sat and listened as the boy she’d loved, now spoke as a man she admired.
In the middle of one of his answers, he reached over and took Lorna’s hand and said, “And when this venture is successful enough, I’m marrying this woman right here.”
Casey gasped in delight. “You two are so inspiring. They’re going to love these stories.”
Lorna smiled at Jamal, while Casey finished up her interview. Putting on their coats, the couple walked her to her car, then returned to his office.
“I just need to shut down,” Jamal told Lorna, then went about his tasks quickly.
He returned to stand in front of her. “You want to get some dinner?” Jamal asked.
Lorna nodded. “We can do that.”
“Thanks again, for including me with Casey.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” Lorna replied. “She was very impressed with you…and I see why.”
He lifted his shoulders. “I can definitely use the exposure from her article.”
“You interview very well,” Lorna complimented.
“For a country boy?” he teased.
She smiled. “I’ve already told you that I love that country boy.”
Jamal took her hand. “Let’s go give the town something to talk about. Lorna Sable is finally claiming that Winston boy.”
Lorna laughed. “This is just the beginning…”
Together they drove to the restaurant and Jamal parked his truck. Helping, Lorna out, he held her hand as they walked inside, aware of the stares. Both were greeted warmly, along with suspicious looks. Finding an empty table, they removed their coats and seated themselves.
Jamal sat across from Lorna with a smile. “This is why you could never be seen with me when we were younger. I’m sure the Inn’s phone is ringing off the hook right now.”
“Willie is probably keeping an activity log,” Lorna added, with a smile.
“Willie probably already knows what we’re going to do next.”
She reached across and took his hand. “So let’s answer their questions now,” Lorna whispered and leaned forward, placing her lips on his. She touched his face and looked into his eyes. “Now we can just eat.”
Sitting back, Lorna stared at Jamal, who was still recovering from her display.
He smiled. “I guess I know what we’re going to do next.”
“We’re getting lost,” Lorna said softly.
The waitress arrived and looked at the pair. “Well Lorna Sable, I haven’t seen you since the last Fish Fry at the Inn.”
“Hello, Miss Jackie. How are you?”
The woman smiled. “I’m good…and you?” She looked over at Jamal.
“Jamal and I are here for dinner,”
“I see…who’s paying?”
Jamal laughed. “I am and I’m also leaving the tip.”
Miss Jackie smiled at him. “Okay, you little rascal. Don’t mess with this one, she’s a sweetheart.”
“I know,” Jamal said, turning to stare at Lorna.
“What can I get you two?” Miss Jackie asked.
They placed their orders, before she walked away.
“Do you always get asked about paying?” Lorna asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, Miss Jackie was not happy about that.”
“What would you do?”
“Cass and I would order and if we didn’t have any money, I’d say that my father would take care of it and then we’d leave,” he explained.
Lorna shook her head.
“Yeah, he made me pay all of that back,” Jamal informed her.
“And he should’ve,” Lorna told him. “Maybe you should have kept Cassandra’s money, since you had to pay back everything yourself.”
Jamal shook his head. “Nah, I knew better when I did what I did. I’m glad that I’ve been able to make reparations.”
“I applaud you, I really do…”
“It’s what I was supposed to do,” Jamal told her. “I don’t deserve any applause.”
Lorna began to clap softly, then louder as she got to her feet. Everyone in the restaurant looked at her and she glanced around at the other diners.
“You all should join me in recognizing all that Jamal has done, in making amends to the town, and becoming a man that we all can be proud of…” She announced in a loud voice.
Jamal stared at her, then lowered his head into his hand, wondering what the hell had compelled her to do this. He looked up as the applause grew louder, and louder…with Lorna leading the way.
“Good job, Jamal!” He heard someone shout.
“Glad you’re home Jamal!”
He looked around at the entire restaurant that was now standing and clapping. Jamal put a fist to his mouth, to contain his emotion as Miss Jackie returned with their beverages. After sitting them on the table, she looked into his stunned face.
“We love you boy, now you just do right,” she told him and patted his jaw.
Jamal nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She turned to Lorna. “Okay, Miss Cheerleader, you can sit down. We get your point.”
Lorna slid back into her seat before Miss Jackie went back to her duties. “Okay people, nothing to see here. Sit down, eat and let those two alone,” she ordered the crowd.
Jamal looked over at Lorna. “What in the hell?” he asked slowly.
“Listen, I’m not going to have people treating my man like he’s some sort of criminal who has to be watched. They’d better get some act right,” she told him firmly.
“You are Lloyd Sable’s daughter,”
She smiled. “I sure am, and contrary to what people believe, I’ve got some of that Sable fire, too.”
“I know,” he said quietly, and watched her for a moment. “I don’t know what to say…I never expected that.”
“it should have been done a long time ago,” Lorna told him.
“Thank you, Beauty. You don’t know what that meant to me,” he whispered.
Lorna rested her elbow on the table and propped up her chin. “You don’t know what you mean to me, Jamal.”
“So they’re going to announce the licenses in the spring, and I’m planning to marry my love in the fall,” Jamal announced.
“Out by our cabin?” she asked.
“Anywhere. You. Want.”
She smiled. “You still have work to do,”
He agreed. “I have to get Mr. Sable’s permission, then propose in some way that turns this town upside down again, and have my business set up to take care of a wife and family.”
“Piece of cake,”
Jamal laughed. “Doesn’t matter, because it’s going to happen. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of…”
“You really don’t have to turn the town upside down with a proposal, though…”
“Girl, I’m going to do something that will have them talking for years about it,”
Lorna chuckled. “I think you’ve done that already.”
“In a good way, this time,” he corrected.
She watched him. “Promise me something…”
Jamal reached for her hand. “Anything,”
“When you’re this rich Forbes business owner, you’ll still be the boy I fell in love with,” Lorna requested.
“That boy had too much baggage, but I can promise you that I’ll always be the man that you can trust, who will love you, protect you, and never hurt you,” Jamal told her.
She squeezed his hand. “I can live with that.”
Their food arrived and they enjoyed their meal over light conversation and banter. Lorna’s phone rang and she looked at it on the table.
“It’s Lance,” she said excitedly, picking it up.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Lorna, it’s Lance. I ‘m sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you, it’s been busy,” he explained.
She smiled. “No problem Lance, thank you for calling me back.”
Lorna eyes connected with Jamal’s as she listened.
“So, you have someone who’s interested in growing medical marijuana and he’s looking for an investor?” Lance asked.
“Yes, Jamal owns the gardens, here in Grayling and supplies all of the flowers and greenery for the Inn and other businesses,” Lorna explained.
“Does he have any experience in this industry?” Lance asked.
Lorna paused. “Not in the selling…” she said slowly and Lance laughed. ‘He’s here right now, if you want to ask him anything.”
“Yeah, let me holla at him,” Lance said.
Slowly, Lorna handed Jamal the phone. “He wants to speak with you.”
Jamal nodded and took the device.
“Hi, this is Jamal.”
“Jamal, Lance…”
Jamal inhaled. “Lance, listen, thanks for even talking to me.”
“The Sables are good people and I’m all for helping out another brother. Tell me a little about yourself and your plan, real quick.”
“Sure, I have a degree in Horticulture from MSU. I own my own gardens, here in Grayling. I got into a little trouble as a teenager, but I’m straight now,” Jamal told him. “I have the skills and the land to make this a very successful venture.”
Lance chuckled. “My man, you’re honest.”
Jamal looked at Lorna. “I’ve learned that lying only hurts people and makes them distrust you.”
“So, the reason that it took me so long to call Lorna back, was because I was checking you out. Although, I love the Sable family, I’ve learned that you can’t trust everybody in your business,” Lance told him.
Jamal nodded. “I understand that.”
“I like that you were upfront with yours. I’d like to come to Grayling to see your operation,” Lance announced.
Jamal blinked. “Huh?”
“I spoke to my wife, who is a naturopathic doctor and very much a proponent of medical marijuana, and we’d like to come up and kick it with you,” Lance explained.
“Are you serious?”
“Oh, my man…I don’t play about my money and my business.” Lance affirmed.
“Wow, umm…just tell me when and I’ll make sure I’m available to you,” Jamal replied.
“Good, let me talk to Lorna and I’ll get back to you both with a date. I’m looking forward to meeting you.”
Jamal found his voice. “Yes, you too…”
He handed the phone back to Lorna.
“Hi, Lance.”
“Hey, I want to make a reservation at the Inn for the end of next week.”
She smiled. “I’m not at the Inn right now, but if you text me your dates, I’ll make sure we’re ready for you.”
“Sounds good.”
“Is Khayla coming too?”
Lance smiled. “Yeah, and we’re bringing our son.”
“Oh my! I can’t wait to see him!”
“How are the Sables?”
“We’re good. Lorna’s expecting our first Sable baby.”
“She married Brandon’s campaign manager, right?”
She nodded. “Yes, Derek, and he’s working on Judge William’s bid for Senate.”
He laughed. “It’s a small world between Grayling and Detroit.”
“Thank you so much for coming to meet with Jamal. You’re going to be impressed with him.” Lorna assured him.
“What exactly is he to you?” Lance questioned.
Lorna looked at Jamal. “My everything.”
Lance chuckled. “Well then, I guess that answers my question. I can’t wait to meet him. He sounds like an interesting brother.”
“He is,” Lorna professed. “And I’m not biased.”
“Oh yeah, you are…but that’s why I’m coming up there to speak with him face to face.” Lance replied.
“You’re going to say the same thing,”
“We’ll see,”
“Tell Khayla, I can’t wait to see her,”
Lance agreed. “I will.”
Lorna disconnected the call and looked at Jamal. “He’s coming,”
“He said that he’d already checked me out,” Jamal relayed.
“Lance is a big investor down in Detroit. He owns several successful businesses.”
Jamal nodded. “He said that his wife is a doctor and she’s in favor of medical marijuana.”
She smiled. “That’s great, so it will be easier to get him on board.”
“He has legit cash like that?” Jamal inquired. “From Detroit?”
“And he has connections,” Lorna added. “Derek worked on his friend’s campaign for mayor of Detroit and now he’s working on a Senate bid for the mayor’s father. He’s also friends with the owner of the Major League Baseball team in Detroit.”
“The black owner down there?” Jamal inquired.
“The only black owner in professional baseball,” Lorna confirmed.
Jamal blinked. “Wow, I guess he does have connects.”
Lorna grinned, excitedly. “We’re getting closer.”
He reached over and touched her face. “Thank you, Lorna Sable.”
“You’re welcome,” she responded. “And I’m going to be by your side every step of the way.”
******
Lorna sat on Jamal’s sofa and called the Inn.
“Thank you for calling the Sable Inn. How may I help you?”
Lorna smiled. “Lana, what are you doing at the desk this late?”
“We’re short one Sable tonight because she’s been kidnapped by a man who loves her,” Lana answered.
“Where’s Willie?”
“He’s here. Derek is playing poker with Daddy and Willie so I’m covering the front, then we’ll go home together,” she explained. “It’s pretty slow after the camp.”
“Oh, alright…” Lorna replied. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Derek is making sure I don’t overdo it. I can’t wait until this first trimester is over,” Lana said. “This must be a boy like Lavender said, I’m sure a girl wouldn’t make me this sick.”
Lorna laughed. “We’ll see in the spring.”
“What’s going on with you? Why are you calling the Inn?”
“I was going to ask Willie to put in a reservation for Lance Johnson and his family for next week.”
Lana frowned. “Why didn’t he just call the desk?”
“I was already in contact with him and told him I’d make it for them,” she explained. “He’s coming to meet with Jamal regarding a business deal.”
“A business deal?” Lana asked.
“Yeah, I’ll tell you about it later.”
Lana agreed. “Okay, well give me the information and I’ll put it in.”
Lorna gave the dates to Lana, then Lana asked, “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, I am.” Lorna smiled.
“I heard you made quite the scene at the restaurant,”
Lorna sighed. “Willie?”
“And Mrs. Langston, Miss Jackie couldn’t wait to tell her,” Lana chuckled. “She said little Lorna put Grayling on notice about her man.”
Lorna laughed. “I sure did. I didn’t like how they were treating him.”
“I’m glad you did that. He’s earned his respect.” Lana said quietly.
“He’s really amazing, Lana. More than I’ve ever known.”
“I’m happy that you’re seeing that Lorna.”
Lorna looked confused. “You knew that I wasn’t seeing it before?”
“You were still looking at the boy who hurt you.” Lana explained.
She looked around his house. “I guess I was,”
“And now?” Lana questioned.
“Now I’m happier than I’ve ever been.” Lorna turned to the roaring fire that Jamal had started before he’d disappeared into the kitchen.
“I’m happy for you, Lorna. You’re my baby and I love you,” Lana told her emotionally.
Lorna smiled. “I love you, too, Lana, and you have been like a mother to me. Now you can be a mother to our Sable baby.”
Lana wiped her eyes. “I’m so emotional now. I know you’re not a baby.”
“It’s fine Lana. I’m so thankful to have both you and Lena as my role models. If I couldn’t have Momma, there’s no one else, I would have wanted,” Lorna told her softly.
Lana sniffed. “Well, have fun and enjoy yourself. We’ll see you in a few days.”
“I will, and take care of the Inn.”
“It will be here,” Lana assured her.
Lorna ended the call with her sister then put her phone away and laid back on the sofa, watching the warm flames, until Jamal joined her with two steaming cups. He sat them on the coffee table, then perched on the edge of the couch.
“You talked to Willie?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, Lorna was a the desk. The men are playing poker.”
“Awww, I missed the game?”
Lorna gave him a look. “Do you really like playing poker with them?”
“I was trying to get in good with Mr. Sable, but he just takes all of my money,” Jamal confessed.
She smiled. “I know. Whenever you play, he tells me to order extra flowers to give your money back.”
Jamal laughed. “That man is amazing.”
“I think so, too. I hope he marries Lavender soon,”
“Does she want to get married?”
Lorna shrugged. “Her daughters are both married now, with kids, so I’m not sure what they’re waiting on.”
“Maybe your father wants all his daughters married off, before he takes the plunge again.”
She frowned. “Daddy doesn’t have to do that.”
“You know how he feels about his girls,” Jamal told her. “And he still has Lena…
“He may never get married, if he waits for Lena,”
Jamal shrugged. “All I know is that he won’t have to wait too much longer for Lorna.”
She smiled and he handed her one of the cups.
“Hot chocolate?” she said, taking the warm mug.
“With whipped cream,” Jamal confirmed. “I never cared for this, until you started bringing it to the cabin.”
Lorna took a small sip. “I couldn’t believe you didn’t like hot chocolate.”
Jamal gave her a look. “I liked a different kind of hot chocolate.” He licked his lips. “I still do…”
She smiled and sipped her beverage again.
“I have an entire can of whipped cream, in the kitchen,” he whispered, watching her. “To put on my favorite hot chocolate…later.”
Lorna let the warmth slide down her throat. “I think I’d like that,” she answered slowly, watching him.
“I listened to Cassidee’s song, again,” Lorna said quietly. “Did you know it’s called, “You Da One.”
Jamal smiled and drank from his cup. “I’ve heard it.”
“Was that for you?” Lorna questioned.
“She should have called it ‘Money’s Da One’, ‘cause that’s clearly her true love,” he said, sitting his cup aside. “And clearly my true love is sitting right here…”
Lorna smiled and kissed his lips. “Baby, you da one…”