Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
There was a town dinner planned in a few minutes, but Royal’s stomach was already growling. He wondered if he had time to jet over to Mr. MacElroy’s stand for some of his honey-roasted pecans.
Royal waved at the many friends who glanced up at him. Some were warming themselves around the fire pits scattered about the square, others were moving through the market wearing New Years top hats and blowing noise makers.
The life Royal thought was only real in cheesy Hallmark movies was one he was actually living. A rush of gratitude filled his heart as strong arms wrapped around him from behind and the welcome tickle of a soft beard grazed his neck.
“Hey,” Stone murmured, breaking into his thoughts. “What are you doing out here besides freezing?”
“I’m not freezing anymore.” Royal nestled closer into Stone’s heat.
“You’ve been so quiet.” Stone kissed his throat.
“I’m just thinking…”
“About…”
“About how much has changed in me. A year ago I was…”
Royal struggled to find the words. How could he explain his transformation from a greedy corporate android, to who he was in Stone’s arms.
“I didn’t know what the hell I was doing when I came here, or what I wanted. But now, standing here, looking out at the place that saved my life…my home. I just can’t believe it.”
Stone squeezed him tighter, his solid presence grounding him like always. The sounds of the festival faded as he turned and rested his cheek on Stone’s chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat through his thick sweater.
“This town didn’t save you, Royal. You were already a gorgeous, strong, brilliant man, but you were trapped in a place that didn’t deserve you.” Stone kissed his forehead. “You came just in time and saved us, baby…not the other way around.”
Royal was speechless.
“Look out there.”
He turned and watched the children, the town laughing and celebrating with the hundreds of tourists who’d come to enjoy one of the several festivals they’d have this year.
“A year ago after the winter storm, all of us felt like there was no coming back from that disaster, we were walking around hopeless, with our heads down in defeat.”
Royal closed his eyes. Oh, he remembered all right.
“And you were the only one with the strength to fight. You went back into the belly of the beast and you came out victorious. You helped rebuild Windeville, bigger and better than it was before. All of this, the festivals, the new businesses, you made it happen, baby.”
Royal glanced up and saw the pride in Stone’s eyes.
“We actually have a fuckin Starbucks…I mean come on.” Stone winked. “And you know how glad I was when we got our own Ace Hardware.”
Royal rolled his eyes. “Yeah my ass felt how happy you were for an entire month.”
Stone hugged him closer and growled against his throat. “I’m not near done thanking you either.”
“Okay you two, enough already. Pastor Shaun is ready to say the blessing, dinner’s about to be served.”
Mrs. Pearl was shaking her head at them like she always did when they were all over each other. But tonight she had a mischievous glint in her eyes that made him suspicious.
Stone raised an eyebrow. “What are you looking so cute about?”
“Oh nothing.” She grinned, beckoning for them to hurry.
Royal walked back into the dining room and the smell of his favorite baked rolls and roasted venison made his stomach growl.
The conversations in the dining room had been loud and boisterous when he’d been on the balcony, now everyone was eyeing him, and murmuring in hushed tones.
“What in the world is up with you guys?” Stone grumbled before he pulled Royal’s chair out at their table.
“Royal, oh my lord, honey is that you?”
His ass almost missed the chair and he would’ve hit the floor if it wasn’t for Stone’s quick reflexes.
After all the years of silence, as if he were still ten years old, he recognized her gentle voice.
“Mom,” Royal gasped, scanning the room.
Stone turned him towards the doors.
She rushed towards him with her arms outstretched, his father moving a bit slower behind her.
Her eyes shone with unshed tears and Royal opened his arms as shock, joy and relief slammed into his chest.
“Look at you,” she exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug.
His father stood beside her with a faint but proud smile tugging his lips.
Royal could feel the emotion bubbling and threating to spill over any second. He stared in disbelief.
He could’t believe how much they’d aged, but the love and affection in their gazes was still there, timeless compassion bringing back a rush of memories.
His mother’s hair was all silver and cropped short, and his dad’s posture was a bit more stooped, but his warm brown eyes and kind smile could still light up the room.
His father squeezed his shoulder while his mom held him tight, refusing to let go.