Southern Storm (Southern 3)

“I came back here, and I was expecting to have to beg you to forgive me. What I did to you by leaving was uncalled for. It hurt you, and I didn’t even think how you would feel having me leave. It was selfish, and I promise to never do it again.”

“Does that mean you’re staying?” I ask, the hope filling my heart.

“It means that this …” She opens her arms. “This bar, this town, Ethan, you …” She grabs my face, bending over. “You are my home, and I’m not going anywhere.” I smile through my own tears. “And to answer your question, yes, I’ll marry you again.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Savannah

Four days later

“Where do you want us to put all of these red Solo cups?” I hear a voice behind me and turn around. “The table out there is full.”

I look at one of the volunteers who has come to help us set up for our grand opening. “Is there space under the table?”

“Good idea,” he says and walks away from the bar toward the door.

“Are you done ogling other men?” I hear Beau coming out of my office and looking at me. I throw my head back and laugh.

“I have enough man at home that I don’t need to go out looking for another one,” I say, smiling. It’s been four days since I’ve been back home. Four days that I’ve cried only happy tears. “Are you ready for your speech, Mr. Mayor?” After Kallie and Olivia came over, they told me about all the men and women who came out. I didn’t know how else to say thank you to everyone, so I thought we should throw one epic party.

I brought it up to Beau, who thought it would be amazing if we did family day there also, so my parking lot is now set up with barbecue pits. There are a couple of ponies that Casey has donated for the kids to ride. There are some inflatable rides also. “How is setup outside going?” I ask as he walks to me. “It’s good. The bands are setting up.”

“I can’t believe it’s going to be so big,” I say as the door opens, and I see Billy, Charlotte, and Cristine walk in.

“Give me a kiss,” he says in a soft voice. I lean my head back, and he kisses my lips. “I love you.”

“Love you more,” I say, and I hear Charlotte squeal.

“This is so nice,” she says, looking around. Beau takes my hand and walks me around the bar. “Savannah, this is wonderful.” She envelops me in a hug when I get close enough to her. “So, so wonderful.”

“It’s filling up out there,” Billy says. “But I thought we could whip up a special sweet tea.”

“No!” Beau and Charlotte yell at the same time.

“Why don’t you come down on a Saturday night, and we can have a Billy’s Special?” I suggest, and I see him smiling so big. “We can even set you up behind the bar.”

He takes his cowboy hat off his head and smiles. “Well, I reckon I can do that.”

“You just made his day,” Charlotte says, and I’m about to tell her that it’s the least I can do when the door opens, and Ethan comes running in.

“Mom,” he says. “The bull just got here.”

“The bull?” I ask, and see Olivia and Casey come in the door followed by Kallie who is dragging in Jacob.

“I told him it was a bad idea,” Olivia says. “But Mr. Rodeo King over here thought it would be a good idea to get the kids excited about the new rodeo courses he is going to be offering at the new farm.”

“If they last on the bull, they get free lessons,” Casey says. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

“We should get out there,” Beau says. I look at one of the waitresses inside and motion that I’m going outside and she should take over the bar. We have the bar open for anyone who wants to get out of the heat.

We walk outside, and I have to stop. There are so many people, and it looks legit like a carnival. “Look at all these people.” I look around.

“Mom, I’m going to go ride the bull and see if I can win the lessons,” Ethan says, running toward the fake bull.

“If he breaks anything,” Jacob says, putting his hands on his hips. “Casey, you are taking him to the ER.”

“If he breaks anything,” Beau says, “I’m blowing it up.” My heart fills with so much love to see how much my son is loved. I watch Billy walking with him, his arm around his shoulder while he holds Cristine’s hand.

“Shit,” Beau says from beside me. “I forgot the ribbon at the house.” Another thing he wanted to do was the official cutting of the ribbon for the bar. “It was on my desk, and I even told myself not to forget it.”