The Thunder Rolls

Chapter 14

Elle may was the first to show up. Early of course but I was so happy to see her. Stella ran straight for her and jumped in her arms. Elle walked over to us and gave us both hugs and kisses on the cheeks.

"How are you my beautiful children?"

"I'm great Elle"

"I'm perfect grandma. Surrounded by beautiful women how could I not be?" I loved how he was such a gentleman

"That's right my boy! Now Let's go see this beautiful house you guys have been working so hard on"

We walked her through the house and she loved it. She commented on everything calling it every adjective possible.

"Dean took us yardsaling this morning and we found so much good stuff! We basically decorated the entire house just this morning" "yea. He learned that from his momma who learned that from me. We love it! It's a tradition. Oh my! Is that what I think it is?"

"A cedar chest or a hope chest. Dean told me about it this morning. I paid $7 for it. It's beautiful isn't it."

" it sure is! I had one when I was a little girl and Deans mother had one, it um," she trailed off

"It's ok Elle, I told her"

"Oh you did, did you? You've really opened up your heart to this one my boy, bless your heart."

I blushed and Dean wrapped his arm around me.

"Yea grandma I have. She's pretty special"

" yes she is." He said with a smile and a kiss on the top of my head

Stella pushed her way through us.

"Gamma Elle, look at my kitchen! " she grabbed her hand and pulled her in her bedroom

I put my hands on my head

"Dear child I've been called way worse, don't you ever mind her. Let the child Call me what she will. Y'all go on now I'm gonna play with her for a minute"

We both just laughed and walked back on to the porch. Dean wanted to see Logan's reaction when he saw Amanda show up. It didn't take long they pulled in at the exact same time. He didn't recognize her car but when they got out at the same time his mouth dropped, we both laughed. The reached the porch together and he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"Hi Amanda did you have any trouble getting out here?"

" no not at all, is he ok?" Amanda asked pointing to Logan

" I'm fine, I'm logan, how are you? You must be Amanda, how do you know Harlow and Dean?

" uh, yea, I'm good. I teach at Stella's daycare so I know Harlow. How do you know Harlow and Dean?"

" I am Deans brother and I work on Harlow's house. It's so nice to talk to you finally. "

"What?"

"We went to school together, I never talked to you"

"Oh really?" She said surprised

"Yeah" There was a long pause.

"Well let's go sit down and eat" Dean suggested breaking the silence.

We all walked in and sat down at the table I was so excited for this dinner. I had been talking to Amanda all week, even talking up Logan. she acted like she had no idea who he was to play off my matchmaking plots but she had also had a crush on him so my job was easy, I just had to get them together and hope that Logan didn't act stupid. Everyone loved the roast and I had to think my co chef and helper in the kitchen, Dean who suggested it.

We chatted during dinner about me moving to town and how I liked it and how my job was going. I told them how happy I was with Stella's school and how I loved Amanda teaching her because she had come out of her shell. She hadn't talked this much in so long, and everyone was amazed. Under the table Dean grabbed my leg and squeezed. I looked over at him and he just smiled at me. I knew family was important to him and he had it right here. He was smiling his magnificent smile that I loved so much. I reached my hand down to his and entwined my fingers in his.

We cleaned the table off and sat the table to play cards. Stella and Roman went back to her room to play kitchen. We played spades and hearts hours, laughing and talking, while Elle may insisted on making us a cobbler. The sun started to set when it was done and the smell was intoxicating. Elle cut us all pieces and put a scoop of ice cream on top. I had never had blackberry cobbler, but now that I had it was my new favorite desert. I glanced up at Logan who was wiping a drip of ice cream off of Amanda's chin and I knew that my match making job was done.

Elle wanted to sit on the couch and read books to Stella. They had grown close after spending the evening together while Dean and I had our first date. The rest of us moved out to the front porch. Logan had brought his guitar, apparently he was really good at playing, and started to quietly play while we talked. Hours past and it was the first time i felt like I had friends outside of Dean and Elle may, it was a nice feeling.

Elle may walked outside and said she had laid Stella down, she was heading home. She thanked us for dinner, loved us and wanted another one soon. Everyone stood up to tell her goodnight.

" I should probably go too." Amanda said yawning." It was around midnight

" yeah me too brother, thanks Harlow it was a lot of fun."

" you're welcome Logan you're always welcome over here. Amanda thank you so much for coming it was a blast!" I told them as they made their way out the door.

"It was we will have to do it again and get together to go shopping or something. I'll see you Monday, bye Dean it was nice to meet you" Amanda said

"Nice to finally meet you too" Dean said with a wave

Logan walked Amanda to her car Dean and I walked inside and let them say their goodbyes

" Dean that was fun"

" yea it was but, I missed you "

He picked me up and carried me to the bedroom

" You tell me something so very important and then I have to share you with everyone all evening, not very fair." A smile spread across his face as he laid me on the bed

"Something important huh?" I teased

"Very. Tell me again"

" I don't know what you're talking about" I said trying to sound confused.

His eyes shot up at me glaring at my teasing grin. He reached for my feet and I quickly pulled them up under me. He slowly situated himself over me, moving his face inches from mine, taking my breath away.

" say it, say the words" he whispered.

His bare chest inches from me, the weight of his hips pushing down on me and his hair falling forward into my face making me forget everything except what he wanted to hear.

"I'm in love with you" I breathed into his lips that were so close to mine.

The corner of his mouth turned up into a half smile and then his lips closed the gap, my arms folded up around his back pulling me closer to him. My mind emptied and there was only him and me, his body and mine, soon there would be no space where I ended and he began.

"I'm in love with you too Harlow."