I'm Still Here

This Is Where I Belong

October 2017

Susanna's POV

Bouncing down the stairs, I was slightly shocked at how quiet the house was. My canine counterpart making every step I did. Right as my foot touched the bottom step I felt my world spin being tipped backwards. I let out a yelp that was only silenced as a pair of lips landed on mine. Laughing green eyes locked with mine when the kiss ended. The content happiness in them assured me that I was right where I needed to be. Not one ounce of regret on passing over the job some people would consider the offer of a lifetime. Those people didn't have the man holding them like they were the most precious thing in the world. Sylo darted between our legs letting out a quiet bark up at Brantley who rolled his eyes. He reached down ruffling the top of his head keeping his arms firmly around me. Since officially moving in we both knew he listened to me better than B.

"Have to share her buddy," he snickered tucking a loose strand of auburn hair behind my ear with a wink. "She was mine first."

"You aren't supposed to be here," I admonished him playfully. I tugged the end of his beard pulling his lips to mine again. "Your mama explicitly said so. I was to have the house to myself today. I fibbed to her saying you stayed on the bus last night when she texted me ten minutes ago. She's picking me up in twenty minutes to go to Athens for the day. Can't let anyone around here know what we are up to." I grimaced a little as he chuckled. "Heaven help me since you are sending me with her and LeClaire both."

"Well baby girl," Brantley laughed. "Someone has two keep those two out of the tequila."

"Think they will all show?" I asked biting my lip. Brantley scoffed shaking his head prompting me to hit his leather covered chest. "It's a legit question babe. We did spring this on everyone. Though I don't know who got more excited Daddy or LeClaire. Did you know they have included him on their margarita nights? She and Mrs. Dawn signed him up for Tinder last week. Apparently the high school football coach is a hot ticket item."

"He was grumbling about all the casseroles that have been dropped off," he said making me roll my eyes. Didn't these cougars know how to be subtle. It was actually quite hilarious in some ways. Or it was until Marley, Ruby Johnson's niece who was fresh off divorce number three moved back to town. Eyed my daddy like a piece of steak last week walking into church. Was actually laughable to see her push those fake boobs courtesy of husband number two up a little higher until those batting blue eyes raked over my fiancée as well. "Like they don't already know between you, Mama, and Mrs. Dawn he's well fed. Lord your mama would have found this hilarious."

"I know she would have," I laughed softly. Heard my phone chime in the pocket of the hoodie I was wearing. I pulled it out grinning as I read the text from Sadie demanding to know what was going on. One from Mama Becky chimed next that she was ten minutes out. Sliding it back into my pocket, I stood on my tiptoes pressing my lips to his with a smile before pushing Brantley away. "You better get out of here mister before your mama gets here. You weren't supposed to come back to the house until after we left. Wondering what is going on is already the talk of town. Stephanie said half the Moose Lodge a.k.a The Liars Club came in this morning wanting to know why your bus was parked behind the church. Elmer Johnson is leading the betting on that you are seriously in the doghouse."

"Damn small town rumor mill," Brantley sighed. Seriousness came into his eyes as he cupped my cheek stroking a calloused thumb softly. "Any regrets baby? I know that...."

"Not a damn one," I growled softly at him narrowing my eyes. A gentle smile tugged at his full lips warming my heart. I wrapped my hand around his wrist returning the smile. "This is so perfectly us B. Plus fairly sure it blows the wedding date pool they have going on down at the hardware store to hell and back. Daddy said Mr. Rogers had some complex algorithm worked out on what date in May it was going to be. But honestly, we have wasted enough time. I'm ready to get on with the rest of our lives. And truthfully, it just didn't feel right planning something big without Mama being there every step of the way. I know Mrs. Dawn, LeCLaire, and Mama Becky would have been more than happy, just not quite the same."