“What the fuck was that?”Chapter FourteenClay“Everything okay up here?” Otis asks as he comes from the barn, and Judge disappears down the driveway.
“Yeah, it’s all good,” I say as I look to Dotty for confirmation.
“I think so,” she agrees as she looks at her sister.
“I should go,” Kitty offers, but I stop her.
“You can stay the night if you want.” Dotty looks at me in surprise, but there’s something tender there too. “We’ve got plenty of room.
“Thanks, guys, I appreciate it, but I didn’t mean to bring all this drama to your doorstep.”
“Don’t worry, we can handle it.” I squeeze Dotty’s hip, and she smiles up at me.
“It’s all right. I’ve gotta get home, but maybe next time I’ll plan ahead and bring a bag.” She smiles a little sheepishly, and for a second I can see the resemblance in Dotty and Kitty. “Although, I’m not sure Judge’s car can make the drive.”
“I’d be more than happy to take you home,” Otis offers. “I’ve got to run into town anyway, so it’s no trouble.”
“Thank you so much,” Kitty answers and gives her sister a hug goodbye.
They exchange a few words that I don’t hear, and maybe I’m not meant to. I’m not sure what the fuck just happened with Judge showing up here, but one thing is for sure, and it’s that my woman no longer has another man’s ring on her finger. If that’s what it took to make her mine, then so be it. I’m still not sure how to deal with Judge, but that’s something we can worry about later.
“Call me,” Dotty warns her, and Kitty nods as she leaves with Otis.
“What are we going to do about Judge’s car?” Dotty asks, and I shrug.
“Let him deal with it. He can have someone come get it if he wants it bad enough.”
I take her hand as we walk back inside the house, and once we’re inside, the door firmly shut behind us, I take her in my arms again.
“Are you going to tell me what was with that woman showing up here today?” I can see the hurt in her eyes, and it surprises me.
“You mean Trixie?” When I laugh, I can see that was the wrong reaction. “Beautiful girl, look at me.” Dotty doesn’t, and her stubborn chin is tucked down as she refuses to let me see her eyes. “Hey,” I say, softer this time, and she lets out a sigh.
Finally, after a long pause, she glances up at me, and I shake my head.
“There’s nothing and no one you ever have to worry about with me. I didn’t touch a woman before you, and I’m not going to for the rest of my life.”
Her eyes soften and I see her cheeks turn a little rosy as her hands rest on my waist.
“Do you understand me?” I tuck her hair behind her ear. She hesitates for a second before she nods. “I have never and will never love another woman.” When her eyes widen in surprise, I rub my thumb over her bottom lip. “I don’t know if that scares you, but I’m not good at this. I’ve never been in a relationship, and maybe this is fast, but I love you, Dotty. I love you.”
“I love you t—”
Before she can get the rest of the words out, I’ve got her in my arms and I’m swinging her in a circle with my lips against hers. I’m so overwhelmed with what I feel for her that I feel like I could split in half.
“Clay!” she squeals as I run up the stairs with her in my arms and take her into the bedroom.
“I can’t wait any longer.” I toss her in the middle of the bed, and she bounces once and laughs.
Before I join her, I go over to the dresser and open the top drawer. I take out the small velvet box and bring it back over to where she’s sitting up. I climb on with her and hold it out in my hand.
“When I woke up this morning, I knew there was no one else and no other way I wanted to spend the rest of my life.” I open the box and reveal the simple solitaire on the gold band and take it out. “I didn’t think that today would be the day I’d get to have that, but I’m asking you, Dorothy, will you spend forever with me?” She gasps as she looks at the ring that is so different from the one she came here with. “This ring might not be big, but it was my mother’s, and I know if she were here she would love you as much as I do.”
“Oh my god, it’s so beautiful.” She nods as tears stream down her face and I slide the ring on her finger. “Yes, Clay, yes.”