Page 16 of Chasing Whiskey


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In many ways, I’m still new to Greenville. In others, I feel like I’ve been here an eternity. It’s been a couple of months now, and I’m finally getting used to the way things work around here. My customers are comfortable with me now and rarely try to give me a hard time. When they do, I’m tougher now and know how to put them in their places.

Kyle and Audrey have been incredible when it comes to staying safe and sane. Kyle even showed me some self-defense moves, and Audrey? Well, she gave me pepper-spray and offered to take me to the shooting range so I could learn to be a “proper country woman.” I haven’t taken her up on the offer yet, but I plan to very soon.

Dale and I are taking things slow, but that doesn’t mean this relationship isn’t incredible. It is. I’m still living with Mrs. Bot, but I spend most of my time at his place these days. Mrs. Bot actually offered to start giving me a discount on my rent because I use so little electricity now that I’m rarely actually home.

I told her to keep her money. She can use the funds and I don’t mind paying her. She was one of the only people willing to give me a shot when I moved to town and I’m not the type of person who forgets the people who have been good to me.

Like Dale.

Like Mr. Wonderful Dale.

“I am hot for you,” I whisper.

“I know.”

“How was your errand?”

“Hey! Can I get a drink?” Someone yells, but Dale holds up a finger, indicating he needs a minute, and the man goes silent.

“It was good,” he says.

“Did you get what you needed?”

“I did,” he tells me. “I had to go pick up something in Cahel.”

“You did?” I raise an eyebrow. Cahel is a larger city about half an hour away. We go there occasionally to get supplies for the bar, but Dale just went last week. I have no idea what he could have gotten.

“I did.”

“And what did you need?” I ask, swallowing hard, because he’s looking at me like I’m something special, like I’m important and valuable and perfect. He’s looking at me like he didn’t buy something for the bar, and judging by the way the whole crowd has suddenly fallen silent, I’m guessing the rest of the patrons know this, too.

“You,” he whispers. “I need you.”

He drops to his knees, then, behind the bar, and he pulls out a ring box.

“Dale,” I whisper, and my hands fly to my mouth.

Is this for real?

This can’t be real.

None of this can be real, but when I look at his eyes and see the tears forming there, I know it must be real.

“It’s too soon,” I whisper, but he shakes his head.

“I’ve known you for just two months, Oriana,” he tells me. “And our time together has flown by, but I already know that I want to spend all of my time with you. I want to get to know you for the rest of our lives. I want to have babies with you and buy a house with you and grow old with you.”

“Dale…”

He opens the ring box. A silver ring with a blue stone set in a band of diamonds stares up at me.

“Will you make me the happiest man in the world, Oriana?”

The whole bar is silent. I don’t even think anyone is breathing as their eyes rest on me, waiting for a response.

This really is my moment.

When I came to Greenville, I wasn’t looking for love. I was looking for an escape, a way to break free from the painful past that was haunting me. I was looking for comfort and rest and peace, and I found that. I found it in Dale. He’s the one who makes me laugh and he’s the one who makes me feel safe. He makes me feel like no matter what happens, everything’s going to be okay.

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