Sundae's Best (Briar County 2)

“I do,” Deacon replied. It felt good, giving him this, making him feel this way, while at the same time, his heart hurt because he would be leaving everything he knew. Granny would understand. The rest of his family…that was going to be difficult. “So we’re doing this? We’re moving to Lilington?” Deacon nodded as he asked, trying to tell Grady he was okay with it, but Grady was shaking his head, his brows pulled together.

“No…shit, no. That’s not what I meant. It’s fucking amazing that you’re willing to do that for me. I can’t tell you how much that means to me, but no, we’re not leaving Briar County. I love my family, and I want to see them all the time. They can come to us, and we can come to them, but…” He leaned in, nuzzled Deacon’s throat. “I came to Briar County looking for a home, somewhere to grow roots, and I found that home in you. I’d be happy with you here. Hell, I’d be happy with you anywhere, but…Briar County is home too. It took me in, held me, made me feel welcome when I hadn’t felt that anywhere else. Lilington is my past, and it will always be a part of me, but my future is in Everett with you.”

Deacon’s pulse thudded in the best way, relief filling him. “You’re my home too. Let’s do it. Let’s look for a new place together in Everett, one that’s bigger so we have space for the kids if they want to come see us. One that’s just ours.”

“With all the stuff you promised me? Sasquatch, furry cow, goats, and Moose?” Grady waggled his eyebrows.

“Do we really have to put a Bigfoot in our yard?”

Grady kissed him. “Yes.” Another kiss. “Yes, we do.” One more. “Please?”

“We’ll get a hundred fucking Bigfoots—Bigfeet?—Sasquatches, if you want.”

There was more kissing and more laughter. Grady peeled him out of his clothes, then worshipped Deacon’s body the way they had the other night, and Deacon knew that with this man was exactly where he was supposed to be.

Epilogue

Grady

June

“Dude, I’ve never seen so many goats in my life,” Scout said as they watched the scene unfold before them. It was Goatapalooza at Covington Acres Farm. They’d had a bunch of babies born recently, and apparently, the younger ones were always the most popular. They’d opened one of the large fenced areas, and the animals, some of them in costumes, were running around, playing, climbing on chairs and couches in the yard, and following people around, begging for food. They even had a local band out.

“Dude, for sure,” Grady replied, grinning when Scout rolled his eyes.

“It’s cool and crazy-busy. I wish we did something like this at home.”

It was cool. There were at least a hundred and fifty people there. They had a ton of goat activities going on—painting, yoga, playtime, and, hell, he didn’t know what else. “People love goats, I guess.”

The whole family had come up from Lilington to spend a week in Briar County. Scout was staying on for a couple of weeks afterward. Grady was excited to spend more time with him. He and Deke had found a way to change their schedules around so they could make the drive to Lilington for one three-day weekend per month, though this was the first time the family made it out to see them. They were all still finding their way with each other, but Grady was just happy to have them back in his life again. His dad had healed from his accident, and luckily, there had been no significant progression with his dementia. They hoped to have years before it got bad.

“How are things going with you?” Grady asked Scout. They were off to the side, doing their own thing. Deke was at his ice cream stand, busily scooping out treats for everyone in the long line. Juan was helping him now, but Grady would head over in a little while.

“Good,” Scout replied, rubbing a finger on his pink-painted thumbnail. The nail painting was new. He paired it with basketball shorts, a T-shirt, and a backward baseball cap. “I started doing this ’cause it’s summer. I take it off if I go to the store or to hang out with a friend or whatever. I’m not ready for the kids at school to know, but I figure it’s okay here. You said Sean and Wyatt will be cool with everything?”

“Absolutely. They’re good kids, and they’re excited to meet you.”

Scout, Brigid, and the twins had already gotten to meet Deacon’s nieces and nephews, who were younger than the teens, but it had gone well. They’d had everyone out to his and Deke’s place. He’d gotten rid of his rental and moved into the house. They were still looking for a place of their own, had yet to find the perfect place. Neither wanted to settle, and they were happy to wait so they could have their mini Scottish cow. Deacon already surprised him with his Sasquatch, though.