Page 93 of Home Is Where You Are

“You deserve it. I’ll get a promotion when the time comes. Don’t worry about me. I’m good with it,” he said as he reached for my hand, shaking it before pulling me in for a hug.

“Thanks, man. You okay with me taking your sister out to The Chill Grill?” I asked, hoping he’d give me his blessing. I hadn’t told him about our date yesterday, wanting to keep that between Ainsleigh and me, but if I took her out tonight, surely, there’d be talk around town, and I wanted to be upfront with my best friend and have him hear it from me, not some gossiper.

“You wanna date my baby sis?” he said, and his expression turned serious as he crossed his arms over his chest, staring me down.

I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but I wanted to make this work with Ainsleigh and standing up for us, for our relationship, meant being honest with an important person in both of our lives.

“Yes, I do. We’ve talked, and we’re going to give this another chance. She told me she’s staying in Texas; the rest of her choices are minute details. I want to be with her, Holden, and I’d love for you to give us your blessing. I’m not going to do anything to make her run again,” I promised, a vow I intended to keep.

Not that I needed Holden’s approval, but having it would put us both at ease, and we wouldn’t have to sneak around. I wanted to prove to Ainsleigh how much she meant to me out in the open, not with stolen moments hidden from the world.

“I’m just messing with you. I’m happy you both figured your stuff out. Just don’t hurt her, or you’ll have to deal with me,” he said as he walked to the table and sat, waiting for everyone else to join before digging in. A rule Lillian insisted upon that he never broke. None of them did. No one wanted to see that woman mad. Ever.

Just then, the woman who owned my mind, body, and soul entered the room looking beautiful in her cut off shorts and tank top paired with cowboy boots.

“Dinner smells delicious, Mama,” she said, her eyes searching, and when they landed on me she smiled. A smile that warmed my heart.

“Hey there, cowboy,” she said as she asked her mom if there was anything she needed help with. Lillian shooed her away as she grabbed the bowls filled with toppings for the enchiladas.

Suddenly I was nervous. Brooks, Leo, and Sawyer entered the kitchen, and now I had even more of an audience. I wanted to pull Ainsleigh to the side because I didn’t know how’d she’d feel with me asking her out on a date in front of her entire family, but it looked like I didn’t have another choice.

“Butterfly,” I began as I walked toward her. I leaned against the counter beside her. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with love as she waited to hear what I had to say.

“Can I take you out tonight to The Chill Grill?” I tried to whisper, but with the proximity it was apparent that everyone heard me anyway with the way Brooks and Leo snickered behind me.

“You wanna take me out on a date? Tonight?” A worried expression marred her features as she looked down at her outfit then back up at me.

“I sure do. You look beautiful just the way you are. So, what do ya say?” I asked with a smirk, the one I knew she could never resist.

I swear I heard her mumble “it’s the dimples” as she nodded and turned to gather her purse from the hook in the entryway.

“Be home at a decent hour,” Brooks joked.

“Yeah, don’t do anything indecent with my sister,” Leo groaned, and I heard him grunt, knowing that one of his brothers hit him in the stomach for his comment.

I flipped him off as I walked to the entryway to follow Ainsleigh.

Our first official date in public. After tonight, the whole town would speculate. Let them. I had my girl back, and nothing or no one would stop me from showing her just how much she meant to me.

We took my truck much to Ainsleigh’s dismay, her feet resting on the dash as we drove to our destination. So many memories flooded my mind as I looked over every so often to find her bopping her head to the beat of the song that played softly on the radio.

We arrived minutes later, and I parked right in front of the restaurant. I put the truck in park, leaving the engine running as I turned toward her.

“I can’t wait to spend this time with you, butterfly,” I said as I took her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips. I softly kissed her knuckles, not missing the shiver that passed through her. I loved that I still affected her the same way she’d always affected me.

“You know once we go in there, the whole town will speculate if we’re back together,” she said softly as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

“Let them. I can’t wait for all of Haven Valley to know that my girl is back with me where she belongs,” I replied, meaning every word. I wanted to shout from the rooftops that Ainsleigh Courtright was my girl.

“Whatever you say, cowboy. This town gossips worse than a bunch of teenage girls. But you’re right. Who cares what they think? I’m not ashamed that we’re back together. Let’s go eat some dinner. I’m so hungry I could eat one of everything on the menu,” she said with a laugh.

“Don’t you dare touch that door handle,” I warned as I turned the truck off and got out. I rushed over to the other side before she could defy me and opened her door.

I grabbed her hand and helped her down out of the truck. Once the door was shut, I placed my hand at the small of her back, and another shiver coursed through her as I guided her toward the entrance.

The place was packed to be a weeknight, but we were sat quickly. Ainsleigh chose to sit beside me in the booth, rather than opposite me.

Her leg brushed against mine as she looked over the menu even though she always got the same thing.