Chapter Thirty-Seven
Townspeople poured into the judge’s office. The gawking expressions were anxious, angry even.
“Hogg, get out here with your hands up.”
“We want Davy Jones!”
“Calm down, everyone. Calm down.” Rhett raised his hands, his voice deep and authoritative. “Davy Jones will be returned to the Everland Dog Park after a few minor repairs. I’m sure Mayor Marino will waste no time in ensuring that the statue will be fixed good as new.”
The crowd hummed, digesting the information.
“But there’s another matter to attend to,” Rhett persisted. “Davy Jones represents courage. Loyalty. A steadfast heart. In that spirit, I have to repair something else tonight, my relationship to this incredible woman standing beside me. Many of you know that I like nothing better than avoiding the town spotlight. Wanted to steer clear from the Back Fence and any gossip, but—Miss Ida May, are you here, ma’am?”
“Move it, move it. Coming through, people. Step aside. Coming through.” She barreled her way to the front. “’Course I’m here, Cupid.”
“You have full permission to print everything I am about to say.”
She reached into her purse and removed a notepad with an audible squeal.
“Pepper. When I said I value three things, I meant it.” Rhett turned to engulf her hands in his. They were warm, so warm, and all she could do was kick herself that she had almost walked away from them forever. His touch was an anchor, and promised to help her steer course through any rough waters ahead. “There’s my mama’s memory. This town. And you. There was a time this week when I wasn’t sure I would ever see you again. And I realized that could never work because if I never saw you, I could never tell you that I love you.”
Pepper’s gasp was magnified by those of everyone in the room.
“Yeah. I love you,” he repeated, his voice rough with emotion. “Once I told you that I thought I did. And I lied. Because I knew it and got scared. But you don’t deserve lies anywhere near the kind of love I want to give. And you sure as hell don’t deserve cowardice. So now I want everyone in this town to know the truth. No secrets. No more hiding. Because with you on my arm, I’d be the proudest man on the coast, and no matter where you go, I want to stay true to you, and that means staying by your side.
“I love watching you watch eighties romantic comedies and that when you laugh, it makes me laugh. I love that you will drink a beer on my boat and tell me to turn off cheesy music. I love that since you’ve lived here I’ve had the privilege to watch you flourish and grow. My dogs love you. Kitty loves you. Hell, the whole dog park adores you. And I love your red underwear and—”
“Hey, son, tone it down. We don’t want to lose a PG-13 rating here,” the General shouted through cupped hands.
Ida May jostled closer, breathlessly scrawling across a notepad emblazoned with a Back Fence logo. “Rhett spilled his heart. Bared his soul. And what do you say, Pepper?”
“Rhett.” Pepper shifted uneasily. The spotlight had never been her favorite place. But when she locked on to his warm blue gaze, the rest of the world floated away. The words came easily, breaking through the flimsy dam. “You’re a guy who lets me steal the covers and warm my icicle feet on your legs. Who loves his family and take pride in his hometown. A real man who loves animals, which shows that you are nurturing, responsible, affectionate, and compassionate. And who could ask for a better dream man? I love you, too,” she said.
His gaze slid over her face, eyes dark, searching. “Wherever you want to go, I’m going to be there. I’ll even leave Everland, just say the word.”
The crowd gasped. Someone murmured, “No!”
“I do want to move.” She hooked her hands around the back of his neck, inhaling his perfect smell. “Right next door, if that’s all right.”
The rumble in his chest vibrated through her whole body. “Hell yes it is.”
Cheers broke out.
“You, me, Kitty, Steinbeck, Faulkner, and Fitzgerald.” She rose on tiptoes and shouted in his ears over the din of whoops and well-wishes. “That’s four dogs. Too many?”
“Four dogs is just right,” he murmured. “Now brace yourself, because I’m about to make a very public display of affection, Trouble.”
“Good, because if you don’t soon, you’re gonna be in some.”
Their lips crashed together to the clicks of a dozen camera phones. But all she knew or cared about was that the man in her arms was with her.
