AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I take her hand and press a kiss to her knuckles. “And I plan to have you owing me all weekend long.”
“We’ll see about that, Mr. King.”
Once we’re inside the airport, our luggage rolling behind us, I wait for Viola’s reaction when she finally realizes where we’re headed. All this time, I’ve kept it a surprise—something I love to do as often as I can—and have planned this whole long weekend without her knowing a thing. Six months after Ginny was born, I surprised her with a weekend away to Lake Tahoe, and then I took her on a surprise honeymoon to London after our wedding. It’s been years since we’ve been able to get away like this, so I wanted to make it special.
“Texas?” Viola screams the moment she sees our tickets. “We’re going to Texas?” she asks again.
“Yes ma’am,” I respond in a faux southern accent.
She narrows her eyes at me as if she’s thinking it over. “What’s in—” She pauses. “Wait! Are we going to where I think we’re going? The ranch?” She’s nearly jumping out of her skin, so giddy and excited.
“You got it, Princess.” I wink at her, pulling her lips to mine. “We’re about to experience some Bishop southern hospitality.”
* * *
After an almost five hour flight to San Antonio and then a three-hour car drive to Eldorado, we’re finally at the Bishop’s ranch. We’re both exhausted, but the moment we turn into the Circle B Ranch Bed & Breakfast driveway, we perk up and take in the view.
“It’s been years since we’ve been here,” Viola says, looking around. “Still so beautiful though, of what I can see of it anyway.” She chuckles. It’s pitch black out, but the lights off the barns and B&B porch give off a glow just enough to see.
We came out here years ago for our friend’s Courtney and Drew’s wedding. This is Courtney’s family homestead and where she grew up before she moved to California and met Viola in college. Drew had been my friend for years and the night of our wedding, they hooked up and finally became a couple. We met her entire family when they got married, but it feels like yesterday.
“Mm…” Viola inhales deeply. “I can already smell the fresh apple pies and fried chicken.”
“I don’t know what you’re smelling, but I think it reeks of cow shit and cut grass.” I chuckle, and she flashes me a dirty look.
“Don’t ruin it!” She smacks my chest.
Once I park the car and grab our luggage, we walk up the porch and inside the B&B. It’s a tad late for check-in, but Courtney made sure to tell her brother, John, we’d be arriving closer to the evening.
“Oh my gosh,” Viola hums the moment we step inside the living area. “I forgot how cute it is inside here,” she gushes.
It looks like the inside of an oldCountry Livingmagazine with worn wooden floorboards and a large cozy fireplace surrounded by a seating area. Quilts are thrown over the back of the couches, and on the walls there are different rust cowboy paintings hung. I notice fresh flowers placed around in vases and can instantly smell them when we enter. Lamps cast a glow throughout the large room, making it possible to see, though the rest of B&B is quiet. Viola looks around in awe of it all, and I’m so happy she’s thrilled to be here. Honestly, I was a little worried. I didn’t know if she was expecting a special trip like Hawaii or Ireland, or if she’d be happy to go to small-town Texas, but from the way she’s smiling from ear-to-ear, I know I made the right choice.
“Travis, Viola,” we hear and turn around to see John holding a little girl on his hip.
“John, hey!” I greet him and shake his free hand. “Good to see ya.”
“Glad you guys made it,” he says. “Wife had to run into town and get something at the Dollar General real quick, so I’m on baby duty.”
“John, she’s adorable!” Viola stands closer and makes faces at the little girl. “What’s her name? How old is she?”
“Mackenzie and she’s a year and a half. She’s not normally this shy, but it’s past her bedtime.” John flashes a half grin. Been there, done that.
“Don’t get any ideas,” I tease Viola. After her failed tubal procedure, we took the necessary steps to do another one after she had TJ. To be extra safe, she has an IUD that lasts five years.
“But she’s so cute! I love her little pigtails.”
“You better get us to our room before my wife steals your kid,” I joke when I see Viola holding her arms out for Mackenzie.
“You got it.” He chuckles.
He leads us to a counter and grabs the key. “You’re upstairs, second door on the right. Breakfast is served until nine, then we have pastries and coffee in the afternoon, and then dinner at six. If you want to go into town, there’s a diner with some awesome beef tips.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, man,” I say, taking the key.
We only take a few steps toward the staircase when the front door bursts open, and we see John’s mom.
“They’re here!” she squeals, walking toward us like she’s on a mission. “Courtney told me about your plans to visit, and I just had to come see you!” She takes Viola and wraps her in a hug first and then grabs me next.
