I’ve never seen anything like the TV crew that has taken over my bar. They have lights and cameras, producers, and assistants. There’s a young guy in charge of getting the history of the bar from me and asking any questions that come up, so they have their facts right. Mostly, the attention is on Nick.
I can tell he’s a bit nervous. He is never one to like being in the center of attention, but he also knows this will do some great things for not just the bar and the town but his career too. He could move to Dallas and get a great job at some BBQ place and make double or even triple what he makes now, but he loves Rock Springs and by the grace of God, wants to stay here. I wouldn’t blame him one bit for leaving if he ever wants to.
“Jason, can you tell me a bit about the previous owner?”
“Waylon?” I ask.
“Yes, how you met him, any history you know of him starting this place.”
I smile. It’s been a while since I’ve talked about Waylon and him starting the bar. It wasn’t ever his dream. He just saw a need in town and filled it. I tell them how I was looking for work to save up money, and he gave me a job cleaning up after school, then he would kick me out when they opened. I tell them how he taught me how to bartend before I was legally allowed. So the day I turned twenty-one, I could be behind the bar and earn better tips.
I tell them about how he wanted to slow down, so he brought me on as manager and later changed the name to WJ’s to include me in it. I didn’t know then, but that was when he changed his will and left it to me.
They ask about when I made the changes to bring in food and hire Nick. It’s hours and hours of questions and by the end, I’m thankful they’re leaving. It’s a Monday, and we decide to close the bar tonight. Mondays are slow, and everyone in town understands with the TV crew being here will bring a boost to the town, so they’re more than happy.
Jo decides to keep the café open tonight for those who still want to go out to grab dinner. I’m sure the place is packed as people watch what goes on here and gossip all evening.
Once it’s just Nick and me in the bar, I let out a sigh and pat him on the back.
“What do we need to do?”
“Not much. You know they had someone in there cleaning dishes for me? I just need to put a few things away, and I’m done.”
“Okay, why don’t you lock up and head to the café to feed the gossip mill.”
He laughs. “Go home and get some rest. You have a long drive tomorrow.”
I can’t help but smile. Tomorrow, I get to see my girl. I plan to talk to her dad while I’m there about moving forward with courtship. I want to plan our life together.
***I crossed the Tennessee border about an hour ago, and the GPS says I have an hour and half of a drive left when I pull off to get gas in a little town. The first thing I do is check my phone like I have every time I stopped today.
This time I find a picture Ella sent of some double chocolate cookies she and her mom made today.
Me: Stopped for gas, and now my mouth is watering.
Ella: Mom won’t even let me try one.
Me: Why?
Maria: Because if she eats one, there will be none left when you get here.
I laugh. Her mom has been joining in on our texts more and more. Ella loves it because it means her mom is warming up to the idea of us as a couple. I still have no idea where her dad stands, and I hope to find out while I’m here this week.
Me: An hour and a half longer. I just got gas, so no more stopping until I’m there.
Ella: I can’t wait! Drive safe.
Me: Always.
I get back in the car and crank up the radio. Before I know it, I’m driving down the long dirt driveaway to her house. The ranch-style home comes into view, and it’s a home that looks like people live here. It’s comfortable with a front porch swing and rocking chairs out front. There’s a clothesline off to the side, and Ella’s garden is to the other side of the house.
I barely turn the car off when Ella bursts out of the front door with the largest smile on her face, and it knocks the breath out of me. I thought I remembered every detail of my angel, but seeing her now in person, I know my memories can’t hold a candle to the real thing.
Ella is in a white and grey plaid shirt dress that looks a lot like the one she wore the last time I saw her on our date around the ranch. She has a thin brown belt cinching it at her waist. She has black leggings on underneath and grey boots that only go up to her ankle. Her long blond hair is down in wavy curls flowing behind her as she rushes over to me.
I see her mom and dad step onto the porch as well, and it takes everything in me not to rush over to her and sweep her up in a huge hug and hold her tight. She stops a few feet in front of me, and we both smile at each other for a minute before she steps close to give me a side hug that isn’t anywhere near long enough, but I’ll take what I can get.
“You’re really here,” she says.
“I’m really here. I thought this day would never come.”
“I know what you mean.”
“Good to see you, Jason.” Her dad comes up and pats me on the shoulder.
“You too, sir. Mrs. Stevenson, it’s good to see you as well. Please tell me they didn’t eat all the cookies. They’re all I’ve thought about since my last stop.”
Maria beams a large smile at me. “I kept them away. Come inside.”
I grab my bag, and her dad takes it from me. They have a guest cottage on the back of the property. He is nice enough to let me use it, so he tells me he’s taking my bag out there for me.
Their house is warm and welcoming with light-wood floors and natural paint colors on the walls. I walk into a formal living room and follow her mom to the back of the house with a large kitchen, dining room, and family room combo.
The cookies are set up on the kitchen counter, and her mom offers me one. I take a bite and can’t help but moan.
“Don’t tell Mom, but these are even better than hers,” I say, making Maria and Ella smile.
“It’s the secret ingredients and doesn’t ask. I won’t tell you,” Maria says, making everyone laugh.
“Come in and sit down. You’ve had a long drive,” Grant says.
“No offense but if it’s okay, I’d prefer to stand for a bit. I need to stretch my legs.”
“Well, in that case, why don’t we go for a walk outside, you and me. I’d like to chat before Ella steals all your attention.”
“Dad!”
“It’s okay, Ella. I stole all your mom’s attention too.”
I follow Ella’s dad out the back door and fall in step beside him. We walk toward the back tree line of his property. I’m quiet, letting him talk first.
“That’s a long drive to make for someone who isn’t serious about a girl,” Grant says.
“Yes, it is, so it’s a good thing I’m very serious about Ella.”
“If you’re here to have a big conversation with me, let’s get it out of the way now, so we can both enjoy your time here.”
Blunt and to the point. Okay, well, here goes nothing.
“Well, I had planned to ask your permission to court your daughter. I’ve spent the last month getting to know her and have just fallen in love with her. The distance is hard but knowing she’s mine and we’re working toward a future, would make it all worth it.”
“And if I say no?”
My heart sinks. Is that what he’s saying? I couldn’t make Ella pick between her family or me. I know how close she is with her family but at the same time, I can’t let her go either.
“As much as I respect you, it wouldn’t stop me from still getting to know her. I’d respect your rules and hers, but I’m not going anywhere. There’s something special between her and me. The once in a lifetime kind of special, and I’m not willing to walk away from that.”
We walk in silence for a few minutes before he finally speaks.
“You aren’t the type of man I had hoped my Ella would fall in love with. I always pictured her with someone from the church, staying here in town where we could have weekly family dinners and watch our grandkids grow up. I never thought I’d see her with a bar owner in Texas.”
My heart races. I’m trying to think of what to say to convince him no one will ever treat Ella as well as I will when he speaks again.
“Her mother and I agreed a long time ago we would let our kids choose their path. I see the way Ella’s face lights up when she talks to you. I don’t think she realizes it, but she’s slowly planning her life in Texas. I catch her saying little things here and there. I’ve come to find you a good man. You’ve respected our wishes, and I’ll admit to calling Sage and getting every dirty detail about you, of which there were very few.” He looks off ahead of us.
“I had a feeling this conversation was coming when you got here, and her mother and I talked about this last night. You have our blessing, but it’s still Ella’s choice.”
I stop walking and gasp in some air. I can’t believe what’s going on. I thought I would have to fight for her, and I was prepared to do so. But knowing I have her father’s permission is such a weight off my shoulders.
He pats my back and smiles. He knew exactly what he was doing, and I can’t help but smile.
“Around here, asking to enter a courtship has as much fanfare as the engagement. The men go all out and make it this huge special moment, so I suggest you get to planning.”
All I can do is nod.
“I also better tell you then since I saw Ella didn’t, she had a run-in with a guy at church a few weeks back. He’s new to the church and wouldn’t leave her alone when she asked. She’s fine. She got to me, and I sent him on his way, but I can tell he’s interested in her. I know his type. He won’t back down. The church leaders have already talked about him. No one knows much about him other than he met our pastor at some event about a year ago.”
There’s a sinking feeling in my gut, and it must have matched the look on my face because Grant is quick to reassure me.
“She never goes anywhere alone as it is but even more so when we go to church now. She goes with me or her brother, and many of the church elders are watching her and have an eye on him as well.”
“Will you keep me updated on him even if I’m back home? I’d like to know if he doesn’t leave her alone.”
“Of course,” he says as we turn back to the house. He shows me the guest house where I’ll be staying and lets me get settled in before dinner. All I can think about is some asshole thinking he has a claim on my Ella.