Feels Like Home (Southern Bride 5)

“You look dashing, Anson,” Granddad said.

I tipped my hat and replied, “I learned from the best.”

A truck pulled in behind me, and I turned to see my father drive up. I hadn’t seen him since the poker game the night before last. Dad got out of the truck first, then walked around and held the door open to help my mother out.

“You’re just in time. Dinner is almost ready,” Grams called out.

My mother walked up to me and smiled as I pulled her into a hug. “Why, Pearl Meyer, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on,” I said.

She laughed and tapped me on the back. “Save your charm for someone else, Son.”

When she drew back and my father walked up, I smiled. He nodded and walked past me. I closed my eyes and sighed.

“Dad, do you have any free time tomorrow for us to talk?” I asked.

He stopped and faced me. I couldn’t read his expression.

“I’ll be in a meeting tomorrow for most of the afternoon, but if you want to stop by in the morning, we can talk.”

I wanted to smile but didn’t. I just nodded.

My mother patted my arm and said, “Have a nice dinner with Annie.”

I groaned and headed toward Granddad’s truck.

“Say hi to Bristol for me too!” my mother called out.

With a sudden jolt to my heart, I turned and called out, “What do you mean, say hi to Bristol?”

My mother looked at Grams then back to me. “Has no one told you?”

“Told me what?” I asked, my voice clipped.

“I thought Ida would have told you,” my mother said as she walked up to me. Her voice was low so only I could hear her. “Annie asked Bristol to come tonight. She tried to get out of it, but she needs to make this woman happy.”

“Grams mentioned something about Bristol needing to make a business deal with this lady and how important she was to the tea room. Who is she?”

“She owns this company that does subscription boxes. She came across Bristol’s Instagram and they got to talking. Bristol is trying to arrange it so her Farmhouse Lavender Tea will be included in Annie’s boxes. Anson, be careful with this woman. She’s not a fan of your music. She’s a fan of…”

My mother looked me over and then said, “I think you know what I mean. Mindy told me she hinted about bringing you back to her room tonight.”

“What?!”

She nodded. “And if you reject this woman, she might very well take it out on Bristol.”

“Does she know we have a past?”

“Bristol thinks she doesn’t, but I’m telling you, Anson, I smell a fish.”

“You mean a rat.”

“No, a fish. ’Cause they’re stinky.”

I went to argue and then simply shut my mouth. “Got it. Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll make sure the evening goes the right way.”

“She’s going to hit on you, Anson.”

I winked. “I’ll take care of it. Trust me.”

A smile passed over my mother’s face. “I knew you would.”

When I pulled up to Peggy’s On The Green, which was a restaurant located in the historical Kendall Inn in Boerne, twenty-five minutes later, I had my plan formulated. I knew exactly how to deal with this Annie lady.

I walked in and glanced around quickly. Then I headed over to the bar area. Sure enough, Bristol was sitting at the bar. I smiled when I saw her.

Her light brown hair was half up and half down, with her curls falling softly below her shoulder. She had on a flowy, light green dress that reminded me of the dresses my grams wore back when she was Bristol’s age. I loved that my girl still had a thing for vintage clothes. Hell, it was probably a dress from Grams’ old trunk from up in the attic. Bristol used to pull out the dresses and hold them up to herself and spin.

Just then, the bartender asked her something and she turned to answer. A smile came over her face as she shook her head. Every time she smiled, it stole my breath.

My God. She is so beautiful.

Then she said something to the woman sitting next to her, who laughed. I frowned when I got my first look at this Annie Foster.

She was blonde with her hair pulled up and done in one of those fancy twists. She wore a tight-fitting black dress that showcased her tits. From the way she was sitting, you could tell the dress was extremely short and she had on one hell of a pair of high heels. Bristol had on high heels as well, and fuck me if her legs didn’t look amazing.

I pulled my eyes off of Bristol’s legs and looked back at Annie. She looked desperate, sitting next to Bristol, who looked stunning and classy.

As if she could feel my eyes on her, Bristol glanced over her shoulder. Our eyes met, and she smiled. I couldn’t help the smile that instantly spread across my face. I was suddenly pulled to her like a damn magnet. The closer I got, the more my plan made sense.