Page 45 of Where Is the Love
“Not too much. Just finished planting tomatoes with my mama. What are y’all up to?”
“Well, we were brainstorming about a business venture for you, and Jessica came to mind. She loves horses. Shylou and I think you ought to open horse stables for boarding. A barn would be extremely simple to build.”
Shylou glanced at him. “I don’t know how simple it is. I just know that I can’t build one, so it can’t be that simple. But shit, if you build that and invest in a couple of horses, Jessica will love you long time,” he said, mimicking a Chinese accent. “Plus… you ready for this?”
“What?”
“Noah wants to shoot a video with Jess right out here in the country. This will happen toward the end of the summer, so we’re going to help you get these stables built. Noah would pay you a fee to use your facilities. The publicity alone will get you business you never dreamed of.”
I glanced over at my mama, and she smiled at me. I closed my eyes for a moment and nodded. “Let’s do it, but only if I can pay y’all back.”
Kenny and Shylou stared at one another then both extended their hands to me for a handshake. I shook them both and said, “Thank y’all. I appreciate you coming up with something to make the farm some money to sustain itself.”
“No problem, nephew,” Kenny said with a smile.
I lowered my head. “You know she’s not talking to me right now, right?”
“Mm hmm. But I also know you ain’t giving up, right?”
I gave him a tight smile. “I’m not, but I know she needs time.”
Shylou chuckled. “Don’t give her ass too much time though. She doesn’t have anything for a while since the shoot in Cali got postponed.”
“I’m gonna try not to. She’s not answering my calls or text messages, though, and I’ve never been to her place.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll shoot you her address. We gotta go. We’ll be in touch about the stables. I think we should be able to start next month some time.”
“Sounds like a plan. I appreciate all the love. Man, y’all have me speechless.”
“That’s what family does. Talk to you later, man,” Kenny said as they went back to their truck.
I turned to my mama and said, “I guess all that debt did one thing: It got me involved in one of the most affluent and generous families in Jefferson County. Even though I messed up with Jess, they are still here for me.”
Beaumont and all the surrounding areas knew about the Hendersons, especially for their rice, roux, and grass farms. Their products could be found in every store in Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. W.J. was right. They were blessed because they blessed others… people like me.
“That’s because they know a good man when they see one. You’re a good man, Brixton. You want better for yourself and won’t settle for mediocrity. They can see that in you, baby. I love you.”
“Thanks. Mama. I love you too.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent Jessica a message.Hey, baby. I’m not giving up on you. I love you so much. So prepare to get sick of me hitting you up. I won’t stop until you force me to.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
JESSICA
I rang the doorbell at Nate’s place then adjusted my overnight bag on my shoulder. When the door opened, he was standing his tall ass there shirtless with a bouquet of roses. That took me by surprise, but I supposed it shouldn’t have. He was thoughtful and sweet like that. I smiled brightly, genuinely happy to see him. It had been a rough few days. We ended up staying in Nome until Monday evening. I needed to make my rounds to see everyone before I left and ended up seeing Brixton pulling into his driveway.
When he noticed my car at Uncle Kenny’s house, he tried to get my attention, but I kept right on driving. I was hoping he didn’t follow me back to my mama’s house, and he didn’t. I was going there to pick up Tyeis and to tell my parents and Jacob goodbye one last time. I also had to check in on my grandmother. She seemed to be doing okay, but she wasn’t her usually spunky self. I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
All my aunts and uncles seemed worried about her health, as was Grandpa. She was extremely quiet when I spent time with her Sunday. She only talked when I asked her a question. Grandpa had taken her to the doctor, but they only found that her blood pressure was slightly elevated. They said that could occur with the summer cold she had, especially at her age. They said if her condition didn’t improve, to take her to the hospital to be evaluated.
Nate allowed me to walk inside his home, and it was gorgeous. It looked to be a two-story home from the outside and was a somewhat open floorplan on the inside. As I walked further inside, I turned to him, and he extended the flowers. “Jess, you look amazing as always.”
“So do you, Nate,” I responded, glancing down at his lean but defined chest. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you.”
I took the flowers from him and sniffed them as he took my purse and bag and set them on the couch. “Come to the kitchen. My chef made dinner for us.”