Page 31 of Hard Rain Coming
“What do you think?”
Viv was in the kitchen and turned as Jack sauntered in. A man who wore expensive tailored suits on the daily, or cashmere sweaters with pressed linen pants for a casual look, he’d certainly gone full tilt when it came to the cowboy way of dressing.
“Too much?” He turned in a full circle, and she laughed.
“Not in your world.”
Vivian crossed the room and tweaked the collar of his blue-and-red plaid shirt. She glanced at the label and shook her head. Burberry. Definitely not cowboy pricing. His boots were Italian leather, and his shirt was tucked into a pair of jeans held up by the largest belt buckle she’d ever seen.
“Where’d you get that?” she asked, pointing at the shiny metal.
“I ordered it online, of course.” Jack looked so damn proud of himself that she didn’t have the heart to tell him most of the men she knew didn’t bother with cowboy hats or belt buckles unless they were rodeoing.
“Are you ready?” she asked. It was nearly six o’clock, and the party had started a few hours ago.
“I am now.” Jack placed a large tan cowboy hat on his head and smiled.
“Okay. Let me grab some gloss, and we’ll walk down.”
She ran to the bathroom and rummaged through her makeup bag until she found her favorite sheer gloss, then applied a generous amount before stepping back for a critical look. Her hair was loose and her makeup subtle, though she’d taken the time to add a smoky shadow that made her blue eyes pop. Her dress, a vibrant red with a pattern of small white daisies, clung to her breasts and then draped down over her hips before flaring softly about an inch or so above her ankles. She’d pulled on a pair of old cowboy boots that still fit like a charm.
It was an ultra-feminine look, and she liked what she saw.
Vivian grabbed a creamy eyelet sweater from the counter, slipped it over her shoulders, and headed back into the main room.
Jack kissed her cheek. “You look as lovely as ever.” He offered his arm, and they walked out into the cool November air. The sounds of a party well underway echoed into the quiet: country music, raised voices, and laughter.
By the time they reached the barn, Vivian’s nerves were threatening to make a scene, and she slowly exhaled as they approached the door.
“You’ll be fine,” Jack whispered, coming to a stop.
Vivian attempted a smile, but wasn’t so sure it was successful. “This place is full of people I share blood with and those I’ve grown up with. I’ve known most of them my entire life, and yet I’ve never felt like I was a part of them. I’ve always been the outsider.” She paused for a few moments, chest tight with anxiety. “My dad is probably in there, and I haven’t spoken to him since the night I ran away.” She looked at Jack. “When I was seventeen and scared and hurt and pregnant.”
She thought of that night, and her voice dropped. “He came crashing into my room, a black tornado of anger and rage. He’d found my pregnancy test. My fault, really. I’d left it on the counter before crying myself to sleep.” Hot tears sprang up. “He pulled me out of bed. I can still picture his face. He looked like a monster. He called me a whore and demanded I tell him who the father was. I couldn’t because he would have killed Dallas. Instead, I told Manley he was a no-good drunk. He slapped me so hard, I couldn’t see, and then he said I didn’t have a home anymore. Not with him. Said I’d dishonored our mother and her beliefs.”
She hadn’t shared these details before. Vivian struggled to catch her breath. “As much as the slap and his awful words hurt, telling me I’d disappointed my mother was the worst of all. I packed up my shit and left that night.”
She listened to her words as if she were standing a few feet away, and panic unfurled in her gut, spreading heat and fear along with it.
“I don’t think I can do this,” she whispered fiercely. “I don’t belong here. I don’t know if I ever did.”
Jack’s warm hand cupped her chin and forced her to look up at him. “It’s not a question of if you belong or if you can do this.” His eyes gentled. “It’s more that you have to. For yourself. In order to move on and live.” He dropped his hand and smiled. “If your family deserves your forgiveness, you need to give it to them.” He stepped back and held out his hand. “If you want to be free of your past, my girl, you need to make it happen. It starts here.” He winked. “And I’ve got your back.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, she took a moment. “I love you, Jack.”
“I know.” He pointed toward the barn. “Now take me to this hoedown. I want to meet your family and, who knows, maybe find me a nice cowboy.”
The two of them walked inside, and she immediately heard Nora squeal. “Auntie Viv’s here.”
The little powerhouse ran over to them, hair flying all over the place as she skidded to a stop, eyes wide as she took in Jack.
“Who are you?” she asked, frowning. Then her gaze dropped. “Where’d you get that?” She pointed to the belt buckle. “That’s the biggest thing I ever saw.”
“I’m Jack. A friend of your aunt’s.”
The little girl’s face lit up. “Do you want to meet my friends Cam and Ryan?” She pulled at his hand and the man had no choice. He took Nora’s hand and gave Vivian a wave.
She watched as the two headed toward a bunch of tables, where she spied her sister Scarlett and her husband, Taz. Her sister-in-law Millie Sue sat with them, laughing at something Scarlett was saying. Millie’s newborn wasn’t in sight, but Viv supposed it was a little loud for him.