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"Mom stop. Josh is an amazing person. You know that. He's hardworking and has his life together. He treats me better than any guy I've dated. Not only does he worship the ground I walk on, we work well together, and I've never felt so loved. If that isn't what you want for your daughter, then that's your problem, not ours. Like I told Dad, either you find a way to get over this and support us, or you don't have to be part of our lives. Your choice. Now, I'm going to enjoy my day. I suggest you find a way to do the same."
With that, I end the call and take a deep breath. I look over at Josh.
"Promise me something," I say, needing to know that everything is okay between us.
"What's that?" He asks, holding my hand but never taking his eyes off the road.
"Promise me that we're in this together. I'm going to fight for you, but you have to agree that you will not give up on me. Promise me you won't give me the whole you're better off without me speech because we both know it's just bullshit."
For the first time, since this started yesterday, he smiles. A true genuine smile.
"I promise because you are mine, and I'm keeping you whatever it takes." He pulls my head up to his mouth, placing a kiss on the back of it. "You are my everything."
"Josh, I promise to fight for you as well and to never give up on us. I love you with all my heart."
"I love you too, Jenna."
As the miles pass, we found ourselves in a comfortable silence in our own little bubble.
"So, tell me about these people I'm going to be meeting. How did Sarah and Mac meet?" he asks.
I’m sure he asked probably to fill the silence and to hear me talk.
Josh fits into my life so well I forgot he hasn't met Sarah or any of her family in Rock Springs, Texas.
"Well, Sarah grew up in Walker Lake. Her and Sky are best friends, and they took me in when I started working with Sky at the diner. Her husband Mac and his family own the lake house where we watched the fireworks on the 4th of July. Sky's parents were next door, and Sarah was over there all the time. Long story short, when Sarah landed herself a stalker, Mac moved her to Rock Springs so fast all our heads spun. Ever since, she has been happy and content."
"Did they catch the stalker?" he asks.
This is where I know he won't be happy, but I also don't want secrets between us.
"Yes, it was Lee," I say, and then cringe.
"The old diner manager?" he asks, tension filling his body.
"Yes. But he never touched me like he did Sarah, and I didn't find out about that until he was gone. He was rude and lazy, but I didn't know what he was doing to Sarah until he saw Mac and slipped up. Sarah's parents were involved, and it was a big mess. But he's in Jail and it brought us Austin and Natalie, so it's a happy ending."
"I'm not going to lie. I don't like you working at the diner. While I know why you do it, I won't ever tell you that you can't. Just know if at any point you want to quit and maybe come work on the ranch some, I wouldn't mind."
That instantly fills my head with visions of us living and working together on the ranch. Spending days writing on the back porch and down by the creek. Helping with horses like Dolly.
I can see that life so easily. I feel like I just need to reach out and grab it. I want to, but there are a few things in the way.
"When all this settles down, I'd love to work on the ranch with you. The diner was a way to get out of the house, earn a bit of money, and mostly see the town. Since just about everyone visited there at some point, the diner seemed like the best place to do just that."
"Well, say the word, and I'll make it happen." He kisses the back of my hand again. "So, who all will we be meeting down there?"
I laugh. "Pretty much everyone. Mac lives on his family's ranch and helps run it along with his other siblings and their spouses. Their parents still live on the ranch too. So that is five other couples right there. Plus, all their friends. This little get together they are throwing in a few days, I'd be shocked if there were less than fifty people there."
"That's a lot of people." Josh shakes his head.
"Mac’s family is one of those that have never met a stranger. If you need help, they are right there to offer it. My Sarah's a friend and Sarah is family, so they treat me like I am as well. Now you by extension. You will see."
We spend the last of the three and a half hour drive talking and enjoying the Texas scenery. The blue, red, and yellow flowers that dot the landscape and fill some of the fields really add some gorgeous color along the way.
As we pull up to the ranch, I feel a sense of nervous excitement, which doesn't last long because before I know it, Sarah is running out the door and wrapping me in a huge hug.
"Jenna! It’s been too long!" She holds me tight, and we both laugh like no time has passed at all.
