Page 7 of Back in the Country
Swiping the moisture off the mirror with my hand, I take a long look at my reflection. At thirty-one, I thought I’d be more settled. I’ve been stalling on building my house, finishing my degree, and making my passion project into a full-time business. I thought I was unsure of how to move forward, but the man staring back at me is cool as a cucumber.
There’s a calmness to my gaze that I know is from a certain blonde-haired beauty. I feel…happy.
Shemakes me happy. She always has.
And now it’s time to make her mine.
3
WAYLON
Mama’s house is already bustling by the time I make it inside. I opted for a light gray T-shirt and jeans with my ‘nice’ boots. When you work in boots all day, it makes switching to other footwear a pain, so I don’t fight it.
The smell of chicken potpie has my mouth watering. The savory smell of herbs and knowing the decadence that’s about to fill my plate is almost too much to handle. I skipped lunch today, and my stomach growls in remembrance of breakfast past.
“Hey honey, how was your day?” I bend down so Mama can kiss my cheek, and she smiles as she cups my face.
“It was real good, Ma.” Her eyes twinkle because sheknowsI’m talking about Marlee’s arrival in Clementine Creek.
“I’m glad to hear it, honey.” She takes a step back. “Can you bring the salad to the table? We’re just waiting on Case.”
“Sure, Mama.” I do as she asks and then fill my glass at the table with the pitcher of sweet tea she always has on hand.
My mother has never made a small meal in her life. The fact that all of her children choose to live within minutes of her means that there will forever be leftovers in her fridge.
I’m certainly not complaining—about food at least.
That changes as soon as I tilt the glass to my lips and my gaze locks on Marlee. She’s talking to my older brother, Hank. They’re standing so close I can feel my eyelid twitch. Her hands are gesturing wildly, and he’s nodding along with whatever she’s saying.
He meets my gaze, and the assholewinks.
Winks!
Out of all my siblings, I’ve probably fought the least with Hank, but in this moment I’m willing to take him down a peg or two. Heknowsshe’s mine. They all do. I watch in horror as our eyes lock and he moves into her a little more. He wraps his arm around her shoulders and whispers something in her ear that has her laughing and resting her forehead against his chest.
My blood pressure skyrockets as I watch the scene. He’s just messing with me. I’m sureshe’sjust messing with me, but my broken fucking heart can’t take it.
A hand slams down onto my shoulder and squeezes as my brother Otto comes into view.
“You look like you’re about to rage, my brother, and while I realize you have motivation on your side, Hank went to prison, so I still think he can take you.”
Just the mention of Hank’s bullshit prison sentence has me deflating. I blow out a breath and count backward from ten in my head.
“Thanks.”
Otto grins. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to watch y’all throw down, but Mama would bepissed.” He whispers the last word even though she’s halfway across the kitchen.
That woman is small, but she’s nothing short of terrifying if we step out of line.
I rake my hand through my hair. “I’m just—”
“I know, dude. Hank is just tryin’ to ruffle your feathers.”
“It’s working.”
He chuckles. “No kiddin’.”
I shove my brother, and he laughs.
