Louisiana Sky (Love in Belle Pont #2) (7 page)

Chapter Seventeen

Roxy

It had been three months since Bentley was almost taken from me right before my eyes, but I still couldn’t shake the nightmares.

I hadn’t let him out of my sight while he was recuperating, and I think I was drivin’ him nuts. I didn’t care though, because even a grumpy Bentley made me happy as a clam.

Tonight we were puttin’ on a big barbeque in celebration for him, bein’ that he’d be returning to work next week. I was happy that he had his health and energy back, but I wasn’t happy to see him go.

I was in the kitchen helping Mrs. Daniels work on the salads when Archer walked in with one of his award winning smiles.

“Heya Rox, Mrs. Daniels… it’s a beautiful day today, isn’t it?”

“It sure is,” Mrs. Daniels replied as she wiped her hands on her apron. “How’s little Walter Jr. doin’?”

Archer got a faraway look in his eye at the mention of his daddy’s name, just as he always did since he’d passed on. I knew the wound was still quite raw for him, especially with their relationship bein’ the way that it was. But Archer was there for him in the end, insisting he come and live out his last few months at home with his family.

When him and Annabeth had their second boy, there was no question as to what they were gonna’ name him. Walter Beaufait may not have been a perfect man by any means, but he sure was gonna’ be missed in Belle Pont.

“Little Walter’s doin’ great,” Archer said. “It’s a whole different experience getting to see it all through from the beginning.”

His voice choked up a bit and he paused, looking lost for words.

“Well you better get used to it,” I piped up. “I’m sure you and AB are gonna’ be makin’ a whole lot of babies.”

We all had a good laugh as Archer gestured to the living room where Bentley was sitting.

“Bentley wanted me to take him down to Lafayette for a few errands Rox, so that’s why I’m here anyway.”

I frowned and started to feel that familiar fear building up in my chest before Mrs. Daniels gave me a reassuring hug.

“It won’t last forever,” she said. “Eventually, things will get back to normal. You just have to believe that it’s in God’s hands, sweet girl.”

I nodded and pushed back my tears, knowing she was right. She better than anyone knew what it was like to be afraid of losing someone. Especially when it came to her children.

***

We all gathered outside, the smell of barbeque and Magnolias in bloom filling the air around us. It was a beautiful evening, with every star in the Louisiana sky shining down upon us. I watched one of them streak across the heavens, smiling as it faded away. Instead of a wish, I said a thank you.

A thank you for all of the friends and family gathered here, and most importantly for Bentley being alive. My heart squeezed in my chest as I thought about him, that stubborn man that I loved so much.

“Don’t start cryin’ on me now.” Mrs. Daniel’s smiled at me, handing me some napkins to set out. “Or I’ll start blubbering too, and then we’ll never get anything accomplished.”

I laughed and nodded, laying out the napkins on the tables to keep my mind on the present. Mrs. Daniels had really went above and beyond in setting up for the night, and I knew how much this meant to her. There were little mason jar lanterns strung all along the deck and in the center of each table. The walkways were filled with little lights too, and it almost looked like a fairytale.

Two long bench tables were littered with just about every Southern salad imaginable, as well as pies and desserts of all types.

Charlotte had made Bentley a ‘thanks for not dying’ banner which was proudly displayed above the food. We all had a real good laugh about it when she showed us, which little Charlotte wasn’t too impressed with.

As I helped make sure everyone was comfortable, I paused just to take in the scene around me. Half of Belle Pont was at this gathering, and it brought me a strange sense of peace being surrounded like this. Even my Mama and Reagan were in attendance, and I noticed that people weren’t snubbing her so much anymore. She’d done a lot to change her ways, and I was happy for her.

Bentley finally strolled out of the house, wearing my favorite jeans and a nice button down shirt as he came me way.

“Well aren’t you all fancy tonight?” I teased, letting him pull me into his arms.

He smiled and kissed my temple, squeezing me tight for a beat. It felt so good, I didn’t want him to let go, and suddenly, I almost couldn’t wait for this gathering to be over.

Bentley looked down at me with a knowing gleam in his eye and shook his head with a laugh.

“You’re liable to wear a man out,” he said playfully. “I should have never told you that Doctor gave me permission.”

“Well, what can I say.” I batted my lashes up at him. “I’m very needy.”

“That’s okay, Rox,” he said softly. “Because I have every intention on taking care of those needs for you. Later tonight, and for the rest of our lives.”

Before I could even process his words, he grinned and walked over to help his daddy with the grill.

I sat down at a table with Mama and some other ladies who were deep in conversation about Mrs. Gentry’s newfound love of spandex leggings. It wasn’t long until we were dishing up food, and eating until we were about ready to burst.

Bentley was beside me, whispering back and forth with Archer the whole night. When he stood up and disappeared into the house, I went to follow, but Archer stopped me.

“Heya Rox, you know those lotions you make at Bits N’ Bobs,” he said, real interested like. “Do you mind tellin’ me what all you put in em?”

I must have been staring at him like he was crazy, because he just started laughing and shaking his head.

“Okay, you got me,” he admitted. “It ain’t really my thing, I guess. But just stay put, will ya? For a minute.”

I didn’t know what him and Bentley were up to, but I agreed, tapping my foot impatiently. Mrs. Daniels stood up and gave a little toast to thank everyone for coming, and got a little teary eyed talking about how much Bentley meant to all of us.

And then almost as if right on cue, he walked out of the house towards me. He had a real mischievous smile on his face, and I didn’t know what the heck he was doin’ when he kneeled down in the dirt before me. There was a little black box in his hand, and I was staring at it in confusion.

Mrs. Daniels voice continued to narrate for all of us as she watched with amusement.

“Now, my Bentley has something else he’d like ya’ll to be party to, if you don’t mind. So if you’d all just turn your attention towards him…”

She trailed off as realization hit me and Bentley grasped my hands in his. He stared up at me with an expression so filled with love and adoration, I wanted to burst. I already knew there were tears streamin’ down my face, but I couldn’t be embarrassed. I forgot everyone else around us when he spoke.

“Roxy Hart,” he began in a nervous voice. “You are the feistiest, smartest, most charming and beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. You keep me on my toes, and you’re constantly surprising me. It’s no secret that I love you with everything that I have, but after what we went through recently, I realized I didn’t want to waste another minute without you. I know we’ve had our share of issues in the past, but I promise to devote the rest of my life to making you happy, if you’ll let me. There isn’t anyone else that I could ever imagine spending forever with. So will you please do me the honor, and make me the happiest man on earth, by agreeing to be my wife?”

I let out a sob and a laugh, the most God-awful sound I’ve ever made as I flung myself into his arms and nearly knocked him backwards.

“Yes,” I cried. “Yes, Bentley Daniels. I want to be your wife.”

The folks around us erupted in cheers of applause and well wishes, but Bentley just kept holding me for a real long time.

Then he finally stood up and gave everyone a polite thank you before he snuck me off to his house on the other side of the property.

The minute we were inside the door, he was all over me, and I was still half laughing, half crying.

“I can’t believe you said yes,” he said between kisses. “I was so damn nervous.”

I pulled back to stroke his face and stared into his eyes.

“You should have known I’d say yes, you silly boy. I’ve always loved you Bentley.”

A huge grin broke out across his face. “So forever then?”

“Forever,” I agreed.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to my mom for instilling into me a love of the written word, and for being my biggest cheerleader when I needed it. To my lifelong friend and partner in crime, Amy, for sharing in all things tall, dark, and brooding. And to Lacee, Dad, and the rest of my family and friends for giving me adventures worth writing about. Last, but not least, my Beta Readers, and all of the amazing new writer friends who have helped me along the way.

If you want to see more information on my upcoming projects, you can find me on Twitter under @AshZav

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