Chapter Thirty
NICK SPUN TRIXIE around and pulled her into his arms as they danced in the barn at the Jerichos’ jam session. A handful of people were playing instruments on the stage, and practically the whole town had turned out for the event. Trixie couldn’t remember the last time a jam session had drawn such a large crowd. But she was glad to see everyone. It had been six weeks since she’d decided to stay in Maryland, and it was the best decision she’d ever made. Her business had flourished, and true to his promise, Nick had made a gorgeous RISING HOPE sign, and he’d hung it on the front of the barn. She’d signed several monthly clients within an hour of Pleasant Hill, and a handful near Oak Falls, which allowed her and Nick to plan on spending a few days in her hometown every month. Her brothers had appeared on Nick’s doorstep with Buttercup and all of Trixie’s belongings a few days after she’d made her decision, and they’d stayed overnight. They’d ridden horses, barbecued, and welcomed Nick into the family with open arms. Trixie couldn’t have asked for more support or love. Her parents had visited a week later, and Trixie, her mother, and Lily had cooked a feast and invited Walt and Irene to join them. They’d had a wonderful evening, and her parents had stayed over in Trixie’s old room, now that she’d moved into Nick’s—their—bedroom.
She gazed up at her cowboy’s hungry eyes as they danced, and her pulse quickened. They’d made love that morning, and she knew he was ready to go again. She had a feeling they’d be insatiable for each other forever, and she looked forward to being that in-love couple who snuck off behind the barn to make out, like Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery did at most of these events. It was no wonder they had seven children.
As the song came to an end, Nick dipped her over his arm, said, “Love you, darlin’,” and kissed her. He told her every day how much he loved her, and it brought a thrill each and every time.
“I love you, too, cowboy.” She went up on her toes, and he pressed his lips to hers again.
“Come on, lovebirds. You can’t kiss all night. You have friends to see.” Lindsay took Trixie’s hand, pulling her toward a group of friends and family. Trixie’s mother was holding baby Emma and chatting with Mrs. Montgomery. Jeb and Graham were talking with Amber, Brindle, and Morgyn. Morgyn and Graham had come back last week and were staying in town until Zev and Carly’s wedding.
“There’s the big man,” Graham said, clapping a hand on Nick’s shoulder.
“The big man who stole my bestie away,” Lindsay teased.
Nick slung an arm around Trixie and said, “She’s here now, and you’re welcome to come visit anytime.”
“I appreciate that, but it doesn’t help me on ladies’ nights.” Lindsay looked at Amber and said, “I’m working on getting this gorgeous girl out and about more often. We’ve been practicing her flirting, but she says she’s not up for it every week.”
Amber rolled her eyes, reaching down to pet Reno, her seizure service dog. “She dragged me out to a bar where I didn’t know anyone two weeks ago, and it was a total meat market. Not my scene.”
“Would you rather practice flirting with Trixie’s brothers?”
“I’d be up for that,” Jeb offered.
“See what I’m up against, Trix?” Lindsay joked. “I have to go to ladies’ night alone, and I’m always left dancing with this one.” She motioned to Jeb.
“I didn’t hear you complaining Tuesday night.” Jeb lifted the front of his baseball cap and waggled his brows.
“Are you whittling Jeb’s wood?” Brindle asked. “Why haven’t I heard this rumor?”
“Because I’m not whittling his wood,” Lindsay snapped.
Jeb winked at Brindle and put an arm around Lindsay. “Nothing to be embarrassed about, sweetheart. All the ladies want to get their hands on my wood.”
Trixie and Nick chuckled as Lindsay moved out from beneath Jeb’s arm.
“This is far more information than a mother needs to hear about her son.” Trixie’s mother brushed a kiss to Emma’s forehead and said, “Although…it might lead to more grandchildren for me and cousins for this pretty little lady.”
“Don’t count on it,” Lindsay said.
Trixie’s mother eyed Mrs. Montgomery and said, “Since the bodywash worked wonders for you-know-who, maybe we should ask Roxie about her fertility potions.”
“How did you know about the bodywash?” Trixie asked her mother, looking curiously at Nick.
Nick shrugged. “Don’t look at me.”
Trixie put a hand on her hip, staring at her mother and Mrs. Montgomery. “Okay, you two. What’s going on?”
The two moms exchanged a knowing smile, and Mrs. Montgomery said, “Do you hear that?” She tilted her head up, as if she were listening for something. “I think I hear someone calling our names. Come on, Nancy, let’s go check it out.” The two of them disappeared into the crowd.
“They’re total matchmakers,” Amber said. “My mom has been slipping our aunt Roxie’s fertility-potion lotion into Grace’s bottles for weeks.”
Nick pulled Trixie closer and kissed her temple. “I’m cool with the matchmaking, but we’re not ready for babies yet. From now on, nobody goes near our toiletries.”
They all laughed.
“We already have babies,” Trixie reminded him. “They just live in the barn.”
“Sounds like you need a lesson in sex education,” Brindle teased.
“All right, you guys, listen up,” Sable said as she and her brother, Axsel, joined them. “Who’s got the scoop on the pretty boy with Sin?”
Everyone turned to see who Sable was talking about. Sinclair “Sin” Vernon had run the athletic program at Virginia State before becoming the athletic director for No Limitz, the Oak Falls youth center. He was a large, strappingly handsome guy in his early thirties. Trixie recognized the man he was with as the football-player-turned-author her friends had told her about. He was just as big as Sin, and even better looking than in his photos.
“He looks like a movie star,” Brindle said quietly.
“Uh-huh,” Amber said a little breathlessly, her mouth hanging open.
“Then again, so does Sin,” Brindle added. “How that man has remained single all this time is beyond me.”
Trixie’s and Nick’s eyes met, and he smiled, pulling her closer to kiss her temple.
Several weeks ago, he’d have been gritting his teeth, eyeing the good-looking guy to make sure he wasn’t checking out Trixie. But they were well past that jealousy. They’d made it through Nick’s Roanoke show without any issues. They’d both been prepared for the onslaught of buckle bunnies, and they’d proudly claimed each other. Nick had signed autographs, and Trixie had taken the time to chat with a few of the girls. After speaking with them, she’d realized they were just regular girls looking for the men of their dreams. Who could blame them? As long as they kept their paws off her man, they’d be just fine.
“The best thing about these jam sessions is seeing all the hottest ladies in Oak Falls in one place,” Sin said as they joined the group.