Sweet Whiskey Nights

The Big Reveal

Charlotte

I ain’t gonna lie, I am super excited about this. Only cuz Mama came rushing in all excited but then I got even more excited when I seen the horses! I’ve never had a man show me he’s sorry before which is another reason I’m kinda excited, if I’m being honest. And, I think T’Jay’s mad cool. So if he’s chill and he’s helping Satan, then maybe Satan ain’t so bad. I am definitely going to play Cupid with him and Sam now though! Those two would be so cute together- they just haven’t realized it yet. The whole ride T’Jay has been telling me bout growing up on the ranch and working with the horses. I really wish I would’ve gotten to know them when we were kids. One thing’s for sure, they got manners. All this “Ms. Charlotte” and “Ma’am” business. He just did it again!

“Charlie. Call me Charlie. Stop with all the ma’am’s and Ms. It’s too proper. I am just Charlie.” He smiled at that and continued on with his story. We aren’t following the same trail we went on yesterday so I’m really curious as to where this apology is gonna be held at. I rub on Gina’s crest as T’Jay quietly tells me he has a confession. I instantly get nervous cuz now I’m thinking Satan is going to off me in the woods. “I thought you were a complete city girl when you first got here. But then little by little I realized you just forgot your roots. Charlie, I know you secretly love being here but something happened in town. You ain’t gotta tell me nothing about it until you’re ready to but just know I got your back. I won’t let s**t happen to you, I promise.” I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say because I’ve been waiting for someone to tell me that for a very long time. I whisper a thank you as we approach a lit up gazebo. He’s got the biggest s**t eatin’ grin on his face as I take in all the flowers in and around the gazebo. It’s absolutely beautiful. He brings his horse closer to grab my horse’s reins to hold me still. Before I know it, Marcus is by my side asking to help me down. T’Jay takes both horses to a hitching post and then takes Eddie’s reins off of it. “Aight you two. Behave. No fighting. No rock throwing. No name calling. Text me if you need me.” And with that he rode off. Marcus clears his throat and I turn to look at him. He has his hand out for me to take and I gotta admit I’m a little weary to accept his hand. But I do and he walks me over to the gazebo. He has me sit before he picks up the wine and a glass with a question on his face. I giggle a little and accept. Once he hands me the glass he points towards the cheese and grapes letting me know they’re there for me as well. I pick up a cheese cube and pop it in my mouth as I see him pulling at a folder from his back pocket and I wonder how I didn’t see that big thing sticking out earlier. He hands it over to me and sits on the bench across from mine. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I take one more look around the gazebo at all the lights and flowers before I look at what’s inside the folder, my nerves starting to get the better of me.

My mouth hangs open and I’m not sure what to say. I look at him and then back down to the papers I’m holding and then back up at him. All he does his smile. “You paid off my mama’s owed balances? And you set up auto pay to your account? I don’t understand.” Why would he take full responsibility of my mama’s foreclosure like that? I don’t understand. “May I finally speak to you?” He says that with an evil smirk on his face as if he’s just won a big game and is patiently waiting to show off his trophy. I nod my head because his actions definitely spoke louder than any verbal apology. “I know you said you were down here because of this. I’m going to take you at your word for that and not believe David. But I wanted you to know your moms was good even when you’re back in the city. I don’t want you to worry about her. I figure if this doesn’t show you that I’m truly sorry for being so harsh, then I have failed as a man. I don’t want you to think you’re not welcome in your tree or on this ranch either. I’m not sure what’s up with you and the people in town but I won’t make anymore dumb ass assumptions. I hope you can forgive me and we can start over?” Wow. I mean just wow. My mind is still racing and I’m trying to figure out how to make words come out of my mouth again. I gulp down some wine and then make another glass to gulp down.

“I truly do not know what to say. If I didn’t forgive you after this then I’m not a very smart woman. This is above and beyond. I literally thought it was just the horses, gazebo and wine.. you know an evening under the stars type thing. This is much more and very heart felt. I’d like to start over, please.” The smile this man has could be sponsored by Colgate. My goodness! And I think he’s blushing a little. “Well in that case. Hello there, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Marcus Reed. I own this ranch and if you’d ever like a tour or to go ridin’ I’d love to escort you.” I think my heart just stopped. His voice was at least two octaves lower than before. It literally sent chills down my spine. Oh s**t! I have goosebumps. s**t! I try to cover them up but he sees and asks me if I’m cold. Whew, yes let me use that excuse! “Here I brought a blanket. Or you could wear my jacket?” This is starting to feel more like a date than an apology and I have got to get my head in the game. “Uh, I’ll take your jacket, please.” He goes to get it from the bench and then slips it on me. Lord he smells good. I can smell vanilla, whiskey, and something woody all on his jacket. This cologne is giving my nose a smell-gasm!

“I see you inhaling my jacket. You like the way it smells?” He was chuckling while watching me. Damn I didn’t realize I was that obvious! I could feel the heat from my cheeks blushing. “It’s called Coffee and Whiskey by Viking Revolution. The owner came riding at the ranch. Good dude. Been wearing it ever since. Speaking of whiskey.” He pulls out a bottle of whiskey from a picnic basket. “In case you wanted something other than wine. I’m not big on wine. It’s too bitter for my liking.” I just smile at him taking everything in. I took my hat off and laid it next to me. I don’t want anything getting in the way of me being able to actually see him. He has the prettiest mahogany skin, beautiful chestnut brown eyes, his lips are full, and even though you can tell he takes care of his looks- he has a rough and rugged look to him. His arms are muscular and I wonder what his chest looks like. His hair is cut low with waves in it that make me want to trace them with my fingers. This man is gorgeous. Like truly gorgeous. I knew he was handsome but I never took the time to actually acknowledge how incredibly good looking he is. Like a God carved straight from mahogany and blessed by all the other Gods to be the most enticing. I take in the sight of him, getting lost in the details when I hear him say, “I’ve introduced myself. Now how about you?”