Southern Devotion (Southern Heart 4)

“That’s great. Y’all need that. I’m sure the others will appreciate it too.”

“Yeah, I mean you have to enjoy your job, and no one likes working every single weekend night. This way we can keep our good bartenders, add another good one to the roster, I hope, and keep everyone happy.”

“I’m proud of you,” I tell her. “You’re stepping up instead of hiding in the shadows, and look at what you’re doing, helping make Mike’s Tavern even better. I know Mike appreciates it.”

“Does he? I mean, he tells me, but it’s nice to know he also told you.” She smiles over at me.

“Yeah, especially with Jamie and now the baby. He likes the fact that the two of you share the burden, but neither of you has to live there. It’s a well-oiled machine the two of you are running. You should both be proud.”

“I am.” Her voice is soft. “I don’t know where the idea that my kids would be embarrassed, or even you would, came from by me working there, but I really do love it. I love it even more that I’m not there every night and instead I get to come home to you at the end of the day.”

I don’t answer right away; instead, I wait until I reach the stop sign. Checking there’s no one behind me, I reach over the console and slide my hand behind her neck, pulling her lips to mine. I kiss her, tracing her lips with my tongue. “That’s my favorite,” I tell her. “Nothing is better than coming home to you and waking up with you in our home. We’re living the dream, Livy.” I rest my forehead against hers. “I love you, Olivia.” Before she can answer, a horn sounds from behind us.

Her laughter fills the truck as I pull away from her, check both ways, and drive through the stop sign. “Love you too,” she tells me through her laughter.

That sound, that smile, it’s my addiction. I just hope tonight ends with that same sound falling from her lips and that smile gracing her beautiful face. I’m nervous as we get closer to our destination, which I know is ridiculous, but it’s the truth all the same. I want to wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans, but that would give me away; instead, I keep both hands on the wheel. I want to reach over and lace her fingers with mine, but I refrain, keeping both hands on the wheel and drive as if my insides are not twisted.

“Where are we going?” she asks again. I’ve just turned on the road to her parents’ house. “Are we going to Mom and Dad’s?”

“We are,” I confess.

“We’re having date night with my parents?”

“Not exactly.”

“I’m totally confused.”

“Just be patient.”

“This is me you’re talking to.”

I laugh. “I know, baby, but you’ll find out what I have planned soon. I promise.”

We pull into her parents’ drive, and all the lights are off. Just like we planned, they left the house tonight to give us this time together. “Looks like they’re not even home,” she says, looking at the same dark house.

“Nope. They went out to dinner.”

“Do you have some fantasy of us getting a little freaky in my childhood bedroom or something?” She’s half joking, half serious by the tone of her voice.

“No.” I laugh. “Although, now that you mention it.” She reaches over and lightly smacks at my arm, causing me to laugh even harder. Driving past the house, I park my truck by the old barn. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” Rushing out of the truck, I make my way inside the barn and fire up the Gator. The bed is already packed with a picnic basket, blanket, and champagne, everything we’ll need for our night together. I even grabbed a hoodie for both of us, just in case it gets too chilly. Eventually, she’ll find out that I wasn’t at work today, I was here, making this night special for her. At least I hope it is.

I drive the Gator up to her side of the truck and hop off, making my way to her door as she pushes her door open. “What are you doing?”

“Come with me.” I offer her my hand and she takes it, jumping out of the truck. I guide her to the passenger side of the Gator and she climbs on.

“I told you it’s a surprise,” I say when I see she’s about to ask me again. “Just be patient with me.” I kiss her lips lightly before rushing around and getting behind the wheel of the Gator. We drive in silence, me because I have a million different scenarios running through my mind, though her, I’m not sure. A quick glance tells me she’s enjoying the scenery. It’s just about sunset, and I know she loves this time of day.

“Are we going to the field of wildflowers?”

“We are,” I concede.

“I haven’t been here at sunset in years. This is a great idea,” she assures me. She glances back to the bed of the Gator and sees the blanket and picnic basket. “You’re pulling out all the stops,” she teases.

“Nothing but the best for my girl.”

We reach the front edge of the field and I stop. Just over the knoll is yet another surprise for her, but I need to take this one step at a time. “This looks like a good spot.”

“It’s perfect,” she agrees.