“When will you guys be back? We’ve got a lot to do before Christmas you know.” She was serious. Her expression had Sadie holding back her laughter
“Rox, it’s still November, I think we have plenty of time before Christmas.”
She gasped. “Oh, Sadie, we don’t mess around when it comes to Christmas. It’s an all month event with everything I have planned and the parties.”
Bogs walked out the door behind them and sighed loudly. She turned to see him rolling his eyes. Sadie was thinking that Roxanne was in charge while the guys were her minions when it came to Christmas. She laughed at his expression, which was somewhere between annoyance and defeat.
“Oh, shut up, Bogs, you love Christmas!” She playfully pushed him aside, released Sadie and wandered down to Stone’s truck. Sadie watched Roxanne walk up beside Stone and T and throw her arms around both their shoulders. Sadie couldn’t hear what she said to them but both guys laughed. Sadie smiled.
An arm wrapped around her own shoulder. Turning her head slightly, she saw Bogs with a lopsided grin watching his brothers and sister. She looked back at them and leaned into Bogs.
“We good?” he asked. Sadie knew what he was referring to. Everyone seemed surprised to see Sadie and Stone coming to breakfast hand in hand with Stone announcing their plans. She watched their faces change from surprise to relief then to happiness. They wanted them together.
“Yep, we’re good,” she answered, not taking her eyes off of Stone, T, and Roxanne, who were now walking back to the porch.
“Hey asshole, get your hands off my woman,” Stone shouted at Bogs. He was wearing a scowl but she saw a glint in his eyes and heard the playful humor in his tone. Brothers teasing brothers.
Bogs laughed carelessly as he gave him the middle finger. “What’s the matter, man, afraid of a little competition?”
“No, dickhead, I’m afraid you’ll scare her away.”
“Look, man, if your ugly ass face hasn’t sent Sadie running, then nothing will.” He released her arm to duck when Stone playfully swung at his face. Sadie thought it was playful.
“Let’s go, babe, you ready?” His hands grasped her waist as he yanked her to him. He leaned down to kiss her when he abruptly stopped at an annoyed voice.
“Fuck, man, five minutes, that’s all I ask. Can we go five minutes without having to watch you two make out?”
“Shut up, T! Stop being a jealous asshole. I think they’re cute when they make out,” Roxanne said as she pushed T who was walking by her into the house. She turned back to Sadie and winked. She blushed.
T was still walking in the door when he snorted. “Jealous? That’s a fucking joke.”
Stone chimed in. “Can’t wait to meet the chick that’s going to have your balls in a knot. Can’t fucking wait, man!” he teased.
T stopped and turned toward our group on the porch. He looked annoyed, almost mad. His tone was serious. “Not gonna happen! A chick that has my balls in a knot? The chick doesn’t exist, not for me.” He turned back into the house and walked in. They all remained silent.
Bogs ended the silence and awkwardness. “Okay, get going, man, I’ll talk to ya later. Don’t forget to drop by the office when you get back. I hate to do this but we need you back by Tuesday at the latest.” He gave her a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, Sadie, business you know.” She shrugged.
“I left the return open, hoping we can get back by Sunday.” Stone held her hand and squeezed.
Sadie knew he wasn’t thrilled about going back to Cedar Bluff. She offered to go back by herself. He did not like that idea. In fact, he was pissed off that she even suggested it. She didn’t have much back home but what she did have, she wanted. Besides, Sadie had to tell Bernie she wouldn’t be coming back and she wanted to say goodbye to Pearl and the girls, and then there was her mom to tend with. She would think about how to deal with her mom later.
Sadie hugged Roxanne and then John, who had just come out to say bye. Stone did the same and started down the steps. Sadie was following behind when two hands gripped her waist and pulled her to a stop. She turned to see Bogs with a ridiculous grin on his face. He maneuvered her around to face him and embraced her in a hug.
“You’re practically my new little sister, weather girl. You can’t leave without giving me a hug.” He smirked, on the verge of laughing. Sadie hugged him back and chuckled.
“Weather girl?” John asked.
“Yeah, inside joke, Pops. It’s hard to explain to someone who wasn’t there,” he teased, to which she punched his gut and ran down the stairs grabbing Stone’s hand. Stone smirked at her and back to Bogs who was now bent over laughing. Asshole.
They got into the loaded truck and headed to his condo. Their condo.
Let this happily ever after begin.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
“For fuck’s sake, let’s go!” Stone yelled impatiently from the front door. Sadie grabbed her shoes and hobbled out of the bedroom, through the hall and down the stairs.
“Baby, please stop yelling the F word at the front door. Think of the neighbors.” She sighed as she put on her shoes and reached for her purse on the foyer table. Sadie glanced down at the frame on the table, Stone and her from Christmas. Roxanne took it when they weren’t looking. It was Sadie on Stone’s lap. He was smiling up at her as she looked at her present with a huge grin and tears in her eyes. The present was her engagement ring. He proposed on Christmas.
“Fuck the neighbors; they need to mind their own business. Let’s go. We’re already fifteen minutes late.” He was getting more agitated. She rushed past him
