― Henry David Thoreau, Walden
~Jethro~
“You haven’t stopped smiling since returning from your walk,” my sister whispered, drawing my attention from where Sienna was charming Duane and Drew across the deck—having already charmed Beau, Cletus, and Roscoe—to Ashley’s wide eyes. “Did something happen between you and the delightful Ms. Diaz?”
Ashley, Drew, and Roscoe had arrived during my extremely gratifying walk with Sienna. We’d all had dinner out on the deck behind the house due to the gorgeous weather. Of course, I’d also wanted to show off as many views of the house and property as possible.
Now most everybody was sitting at the two picnic tables on the raised deck. Billy and Drew were off to one side, both too big for a crowded table.
Ashley and I stood by the cooler. I was grabbing another beer, but she had tracked me down to tease and gossip.
I tried to wipe the grin from my face, but it was no use. I couldn’t. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ashley.”
She quietly snorted and took a step closer, her voice dropping to a soft accusing whisper. “You are a lying liar. You two can’t stop looking at each other, and she blushes like a pole-dancing virgin every time your eyes meet.”
“Does she?” I’d noticed the blush, but damn if I didn’t like that it was obvious and others had noticed as well. And now I had images of Sienna pole dancing flashing through my brain—not the awkward butter-churning pole dancing either.
“Congratulations, Jethro. She’s sweet on you. You’ve just taken one the world’s most famous role models of feminine independence and turned her into a giddy, flustered mess of hormones.”
My smile wavered, not sure about my feelings on the matter, which made Ashley smile wider. “Oh, you didn’t know?”
I cleared my throat, my attention flickering to Sienna, then back to my sister. “Hank may have mentioned something.”
Now her smile wavered, her eyes narrowing into suspicious slits. “Jethro, don’t you hurt that girl.”
I winced, her words hitting a target Ash likely didn’t realize existed.
Placing a gentle hand on Ashley’s shoulder, I pulled her a smidge closer. “Ash, I love you. You’ve been gone a long time and have only been back a few months, so I don’t mind repeating myself ’cause you haven’t been here to see things change first-hand.” I made sure she was looking at me, really looking, before continuing. “I don’t do that anymore. I haven’t for a long time. I have no intentions of hurting Sienna or anyone else. Not ever again.”
Ashley’s gaze flashed, likely with some unpleasant memory of a younger asshole me, then dropped to the deck. She nodded stiffly. Her tone was laced with guilt as she apologized. “I’m sorry. You’re right. You’ve changed. Sorry.”
The set of my sister’s jaw was a painful reminder of how, no matter how far I’d come or how many good decisions I’d made in recent years, I couldn’t take back past mistakes. I couldn’t undo the consequences of my selfish decisions.
“No, Ash. I’m sorry,” I said, shaking her shoulder lightly so she’d look at me again. “I’m sorry, and I promise I’ll do my best to make it up to you.”
She gave me a brave smile that quickly turned affectionate, covering my hand with hers. “No need. You’re right. That’s all in the past.”
I didn’t deserve Ashley’s forgiveness. Not yet, at any rate. I didn’t know which was worse: Ashley’s wanting to forgive me so quickly without my having earned it, or Billy’s continued rejection despite my repeated attempts to reach out.
Regardless, Ashley had been gone during my reformation. I had a lot of making up to do with her.
“I’m serious about making it up to you. Do you need anything built? A barn maybe?” I teased.
She shook her head, her pretty face lighting up with a pretty smile. “No, but I’ll keep you in mind should I require a barn.”
“Come on, Billy. It’s a joke.” The edge in Duane’s voice had me glancing over Ashley’s shoulder to where the rest of our siblings were gathered.
“Was it?” Billy’s response was flat. “I was under the impression jokes were supposed to be funny.”
“You’re the only person this side of the Mississippi who doesn’t think that’s funny.” Beau rolled his eyes with great effect.
“That’s not true,” Cletus countered. “I know at least three other people who have no sense of humor besides Billy.”
“It’s no big deal.” Sienna shrugged, apparently unfazed by Billy’s bad attitude. “It’s a work in progress.”