Although they were back in Honeywell, things didn’t feel the same. After the news of Jack’s death was announced, the town fell into a deep mourning. It was expected. He wasn’t the first loss they had suffered, but he sure was the one who impacted them the most. Weeks later, she’d catch someone looking toward the chair Jack always sat at when he came in. It was vacant and would remain so out of respect.
That didn’t mean things didn’t move forward. Hannah and Mark had gone back to Savannah, and this time Mark’s parents went with them. Sissie was invited to go as well, but she declined as they needed this time alone as the Collins family.
Casey and Derrick were so busy with their new baby girl that no matter what was going on they always had a smile on their faces. She had to admit when she learned Derrick had a baby girl, she worried he’d spiral back into a depression since his first daughter had died. It was another family unit that had settled into bliss.
Honeywell was once again safe and sound, and Sissie’s life slowly returned to a normal routine. She missed having Lou fill in as a bartender. Now she was running the place and tending bar. She’d done so for years with no qualms about it. But things had changed. She had other things she wanted to do with her time.
As though he knew she was thinking about him, Ryan walked into the Sass. Donna was with him. Sissie greeted Donna with a hug. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“Thought I’d surprise you.”
“I’m glad you did.” Donna was welcome any time. Actually she missed having her around.
“Are you kidding me? When Dad said he was coming here to see you I wasn’t letting that chopper leave without me.”
Although she was looking for some alone time with Ryan, she knew they had plenty of time for that. It was tough; Ryan had been traveling back and forth between running his company and seeing her here. He’d asked her to come and stay with him, but she didn’t belong there. This was her home, her company, and she didn’t have anyone to run it. Honeywell had already lost enough; she couldn’t close up shop and leave them.
“Well, this is gonna be a great weekend. What do you want to do first?”
Donna looked at her father and smiled. “I think I’m going to take my bags upstairs while you two talk.”
“Upstairs? I thought you’d want to stay at the hotel?”
She laughed. “Easier to run this place if I’m staying here.” Donna continued up the stairs and out of sight.
Sissie turned to Ryan and asked, “What was she talking about?”
“Seems she’s become fond of Honeywell. Since jobs here are limited, she thought you might be interested in taking her on.”
Sissie wasn’t buying that for one minute. Ryan could buy the entire town. There was no way Donna needed a job, let alone one in her bar. She’d play along because no matter what the reason was, she was always welcome. “I’m sure I can find something for her to do.”
Ryan pulled her into his arms. “I was thinking your job.”
It seemed Donna was taking on more than her role in the saloon as she’d become very smooth at playing matchmaker. Sissie looked at him. “My job? And what exactly did you think I’d be doing?”
“Glad you asked. Did I tell you Marina gave me a clean bill of health?” he asked in a low and husky voice.
She shook her head. Wrapping her arms around his neck she said, “No, somehow you failed to mention that in any of our numerous calls. I wonder why that is?”
“Because some things are better discussed in person,” Ryan said, now lifting her off the floor and holding her against him.
It felt good to feel his strong arms around her again, but no matter what, she wasn’t going to forget it hadn’t been a month since his dance with death. “Then why don’t we get out of here and go for a walk?”
“I actually was thinking a bit farther than that.” Ryan gave her a playful wink.
“Where do you suggest?”
“I know a place that is very secluded. Are you interested?”
Although she wanted to be with him and would follow him to the end of the earth, she’d rather it not feel like the Antarctic. “Please don’t tell me you want to take me to Don’s place up north.”
“Heck no. I was thinking someplace warm, tropical, where we swim naked in the ocean, and I can make love to you on the beach. Interested?”
“How could I not be?”
Ryan kissed her lightly. “I was interested the moment I laid eyes on you all those months ago.”
She looked at him, but he seemed serious. “You mean weeks ago right?”
“No. I mean the day you met my chopper when I dropped off Maggie and Wyatt; you had me then. It just took me months to realize it.”
It was funny because that was the day she knew he was the man for her, but she never believed he’d think she was the woman for him. Melting against him, she said, “It’s not the roads we took to get here, but it’s the journey we’re going to be on together as we go forward.”
“Is that a yes?”
“When do we leave?”
He swooped her into his arms and carried her out of the bar. “Now sounds good to me.” As they made their way to his chopper, which had landed right in the middle of Main Street, he kissed her passionately. She’d spent her life matching people with their true love. Somehow fate had turned the tables and she knew the greatest love story was about to be written. Hers and Ryan’s.
The End
Don’t miss the novella, Southern Hearts!
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