AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And drinks.Severaldrinks,“ Abigail confirms.
Roxy gives her a sympathetic look. “Saw your parents then, I take it?”
Blowing out a breath, Abigail nods her head. “Sure did.”
Roxy shakes her head in disappointment, obviously aware of the situation with her family. “Well, go sit down, and I’ll fix you up.”
We head to the table without Roxy taking our order.
“Where’s the menu?” I ask Abigail, who just smiles and shakes her head.
“That’s not how it works here. You heard the lady, we’re family, plus I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. She knows what I like.”
“But she doesn’t know me. What if I don’t like what she brings us?”
Abigail shoots me a smirk. “Oh, ye of little faith.”
She sits back and has a look around. Happiness and nostalgia are plain as day on her face. Much different than when we went to her parents. Relief washes over me. This right here is the Abigail I know and…Woah, slow down there, buddy.
The front door opens, sending light blasting through the dim interior. A tall blonde woman about Abigail’s age stands in the doorway a moment before spotting us. As soon as she sees us, she marches over, her dusty boots loud on the wood floors, making her height even taller and a bit intimidating. The urge to put a protective arm around Abigail is immediate and strong.
“What in the ever-lovin’ hell are you doing here?”
Chapter 11
Abigail
Awidesmileinstantlysprings to my lips and Jackson looks about ready to jump out of his seat to defend my honor. I’d love to see him try. This girl has three brothers who she’s sent running away in tears on more than one occasion after they’ve tried to pull a fast one on her. This girl in front of me can fight dirty with the best of them, which is one of the reasons I love her.
I stand, the move clearly making Jackson even more nervous and wrap my arms around my very loud and very dirty friend.
“Julia. God, I’ve missed you.” She returns my tight hug, and from the corner of my eye, I see Jackson relax back into his seat.
“I can’t believe you didn’t call me and tell me you were coming here for dinner. I would have met you,” she says to me, squeezing a bit harder. “It’s been too long, Abigail.”
We separate, but I keep her hands in mine as I look at one of my oldest and dearest friends in the world. This girl in front of me is as tall and beautiful as any runway model out there. But she would rather spend her days on her family’s ranch shoveling hay and cow shit than ever be caught dead in couture.
“Sorry Julia, it’s been a day. Let me introduce you to someone.”
Jackson stands from his seat and extends a hand to my friend. I think he’s had enough hugging from Roxy for the day.
“Jackson Hayes, nice to meet you.”
Julia takes his hand in a strong grip. “Julia Beauchamp. The pleasure is mine.” She looks him up and down, an approving gleam in her eye.
“Please, join us,” Jackson offers.
A laugh escapes me. Julia is not the type to wait for an invitation. I knew as soon as she walked in it was going to be a long night catching up with my friend.
When she sits, Roxy comes over to deliver our drinks. She hands Jackson what looks to be an old-fashioned. I get a clear drink I know is a gin and tonic, and Julia is handed a beer.
“I saw you walk in, honey. You staying for dinner too?”
“Thanks, Aunt Roxy. Yeah, I’ll have what these two are having.”
Roxy nods her head and walks back to the kitchen to tell Duke to fix another plate.
“So, are you two cousins or something?” Jackson asks.
