Page 5 of Back in the Country
Mama wipes her hands thoughtfully on her napkin before speaking. “I won’t pretend to know the weight your brother has carried most of his life, but I know that the only one he’s ever let shoulder any of it is Waylon.” My mouth opens to protest, but she holds up her hands in surrender. “I’m not saying what they did was the right thing—sheltering you all these years—but they had their reasons. Waylon has always felt a certain way about you. Boy has just got a stubborn streak and a martyr complex to boot.”
I snort. She’s right, of course, but I’m not innocent in what happened with Waylon either.
“He’s not seein’ anyone, is he?”
Her eyes sparkle. “Not that I’m aware of.”
I let that sink in because Mama’s word is pretty much gospel around here. Flora Thayer has always had her family wrapped around her finger. She is bursting with love for all of us while still being firm enough to get our butts in gear.
My smile is involuntary. Stupid boy has always made me like that.
“He around today?”
“He should be workin’ in the barn out back.”
I nod, and we chat more about Nashville and all that has happened since I’d graduated from college until now. It isn’t like I don’t talk to her almost every day; it is just that she loves knowing her kids are making the right choices for themselves, that we are happy.
After helping her clean up, I hug her again and excuse myself. Between the knowing smile and the twinkle in her eye, Mama has no doubt where my next stop will be.
That makes two of us.
2
WAYLON
The catchy beat hums through my earbuds, courtesy of Nick Jonas, as I move the sander over the board in front of me.Thisis my happy place. Right here in the barn, I feel like I can breathe. My body moves on autopilot here, and it’s glorious. I love woodworking, always have, but I can’t afford to make this a permanent gig yet—maybe someday soon.
Running my fingertips along the grain, I determine one final pass is needed before I can clean it up and stain it. I try to pick the best pieces I can, but working with salvaged barn wood isn’t for the faint of heart. Just as I’m about to press the pad to the wood, the air around me stills before it’s absolutely electrified.
The hair on my arms stands on end, and a shiver racks my body. Turning off the sander, I place it on the bench beside me and rest my safety glasses next to it. Swiping my forearm across my sweaty brow, I turn and look at the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. She’s leaning one shoulder against the door of the barn, arms and legs crossed leisurely. Her gaze is a physical caress from my feet to my face, and when her eyes meet mine, her smile is so wide and so pure, my heart pounds hard in my chest.
“Hey, Way.” Her voice is the sweetest seduction, and my body responds instantly to her pull. Pushing off the door, she takes three steps and then launches herself into my arms.
“Hey, Baby Girl.” I swallow the lump of emotion because it’s been a long time since she’s let me touch her like this. We haven’t beenussince she started dating Caleb, but her being in my arms right now confirms that they’rereallyover.
Thank fuck.
I spin her around, and she throws her head back and laughs.
God, I missed that laugh. Setting her down on her well-worn cowboy boots, I smile so big my cheeks hurt. This girl makes me completely undone, all the fuckin’ time.
“You look pretty.”
She blushes and sticks her hands into the fabric of the dress. “It has pockets.” She turns her hips back and forth to swish the cream-colored lace in that way girls always do.
I laugh.
Her smile iseverythingas her gaze meets mine. I have no idea how I endured the last three years without being myself around her. She’s it for me and I’ll be damned if I’ll let her go a second time. Third?
Not important.
“You just get in?”
“No, I stopped over and saw Mama first.”
“She’s been plannin’ your homecoming dinner for a week.” Her moss-green eyes take on a dreamy expression, as she no doubt is thinking about what Mama will cook up.
“I’ve missed it here.” Her face is neutral, but her eyes are absolutely blazing with intensity.
