A Weekend in Paris
Chapter 11
Monday, July 24, 2023, Just outside Austin, Texas
Riley and Lucas had packed up their things and left Paris, Texas behind. Riley was sad to leave, but would always remember it. She got engaged and drunk all in the same day. She was ashamed that she went overboard on the champagne and fell asleep on Lucas. She made it up to him though, they had spent the entire day, just the two of them and there were no interruptions.
They had been on the road since just before noon, Lucas was driving and Riley was staring at her ring and couldn't help but smile. The diamond of her ring was sparkling as the sun hit it and she kept moving her hand to watch it. Lucas saw her and asked, "I take it you like the ring?"
"It's perfect and I love it!" she told him. "I'm never taking it off."
"That's kind of the plan, I want it to always be right there," he reached for her hand and held on to it.
He was about to say something else when his phone went off with a text alert. He handed Riley his phone and she opened the message, which just so happened to be from Zay.
I don't know how close you are to Pappy Joe's, but you need to get here quick. Your Dad and Pappy have been arguing for a while now. Your dad told your mom to pack up the car because he was ready to go back to New York City.
Riley read the message to him and all Lucas could do was push his cowboy hat back on his head and grip the steering wheel a little tighter.
"What do I say to him, Lucas? It sounds pretty bad." Riley was really worried about the Friar men.
Lucas thought for a minute and got an idea, "Riley, would you mind driving the rest of the way? We're only a few miles from Austin and then a little farther to the ranch."
"Seriously? You want me to drive Pappy Joe's truck? I have been wanting to drive this truck ever since the first time I rode in it." She was more than eager to drive.
Lucas found a gas station and pulled in so they could trade places. Lucas opened the driver door and got out and Riley happily scooted to the driver seat. Once Lucas was in the passenger seat and Riley had adjusted the mirrors she took off kicking up some dust behind her.
"Woah city girl, this isn't rush hour in New York City!" he said with a laugh.
She just smiled at him as she concentrated on driving.
Lucas started sending text messages and even called Cory.
"Hey, Cory, how are things between my Dad and Pappy going?" he asked. This was the only situation where it was a little weird to call Cory dad.
"It's handled for the moment, Lucas. I talked your dad into taking me on a little walking tour of the ranch. How long until you and Riley will be here?"
"We'll be there within the hour, just keep them apart for a little while longer, please." Lucas had to think of a way to get through to them.
"I'm with your dad and Zay has Pappy Joe preoccupied with his Grandma Gandy. Everything's under control, Lucas." Cory filled him in on things.
"Thanks for everything, Dad. Riley's driving so we should be there pretty quick," he told Cory.
"Tell my daughter to watch her lead foot and to be careful!" Cory said with a laugh.
Lucas hung up the phone and got lost in his thoughts. He tried to remember when things went so bad between his dad and grandfather. He knew they had trouble before his father got transferred to New York and that seemed to make things even worse between them.
He thinks back to the year his Grammy Emma died. That was hard on his Pappy and his dad. She was the heart and soul of the Friar family. He was 10 years old when she passed and it seems things between Joe and James Friar went downhill after that. Lucas just can't recall why. He had been lost in his own grief and couldn't understand why God took her away.
Lucas needed to have a talk with both his father and grandfather if he had any hope of mending things between them and he would have to make sure Riley didn't show his dad the letter Pappy Joe wrote them for their engagement. The letter would help but it wouldn't fix everything.
Lucas was brought out of his thoughts by a horn honking. He looked up and noticed they were in Austin and had gotten caught up in some slow-moving traffic, which apparently didn't please his fiancé. She honked the horn again and started yelling at the cars ahead of them.
"Come on, ya jerks! The sign says 55 miles per hour, not 20! My grandma drives faster than you people!" Riley was clearly very irritated. She started to honk the horn again, but Lucas caught her hand just as it was about to make contact.
"Babe, it's just a little traffic, calm down." He said in a calm sounding voice.
"A little traffic, Lucas we're practically at a standstill, why won't they move? Geez, people, come on, will ya?" She shouted again.
Lucas placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze, "Riley, take a deep breath and count to 10!" he yelled. "See it's just someone with car trouble."
Riley did as Lucas told her and when she saw the stalled car on the side of the road, she felt bad.
"I'm sorry!" she said, sounding remorseful. "We should stop and help."
"Riley, it's OK! Someone has already stopped and we need to get to the ranch. Who knew you were so much like your father when it came to driving!" he said with a laugh.
"He did teach me everything I know about driving, which may or may not be a good thing!" she said smiling. She continued to drive through Austin and Lucas went back to his thoughts.
It wasn't long before they were out of the city and into the hilly countryside. Riley really wanted to talk to Lucas about his dad and Pappy but she wasn't sure what to say. They certainly were no Cory and Alan Matthews.
When she first met James Friar she was a little scared of him. He wasn't as big and burly as Pappy Joe and his voice was nowhere near as big and booming either. He had a presence about him that all but commanded respect. He was always kind to her but she always got a little nervous when he was around.
James and Lucas had a strained relationship, and she figured it was partly due to Lucas' actions that got him expelled from school in Texas. She has come to learn over the years that the man she feared isn't what she originally thought. He worked hard to provide for his family and was there when his job didn't keep him away.
He wasn't very happy with Lucas' choice of career. He wanted him to go into business or head back to Texas to help on the ranch. Once James saw his passion for veterinary medicine and understood that Lucas was a natural with animals, he became supportive of his son's dreams and the two found common ground. They had barely had an argument since Lucas turned 18. Riley was glad that her conversation with Lucas' dad had helped the two forge a new relationship and understanding of each other. She wished it would be that easy for James and Pappy Joe.
She looked over at Lucas who was staring out the window, watching the landscape fly by. "Penny for your thoughts," she said.
"We don't have enough money for you to buy my thoughts right now, Riles," he seemed so sad.
She frowned at him and when she realized that the gate to the ranch was just up ahead she grabbed his hand and said, "we're here."
Lucas tightened the grip he had on her hand and asked her to stop the truck once she turned into the drive.
She did as he asked. "Why did we stop, Lucas? It's not going to make the situation go away."
Lucas scooted across the seat of the truck until he was next to her. he gathered her in his arms and kissed her as if his life depended on it. When he broke the kiss, he let her go and scooted back towards the passenger door. He took her hand in his again and looked her in the eye, "I promise you and our future children that I will never fight with them the way I have with my father and him with his. I want to be like your dad, a little overprotective and I want them to know that their father will love and support them always."
"I know that's the kind of father you'll be, our children will be lucky to have you for their dad," she said. She knew he would never put their kids thru the things he had experienced.
"I'm ready, you can start the truck and head for the house," he said.
Riley started the truck and put it in gear. She probably drove down that driveway slower than she has ever driven in her life.
Monday, July 24, 2023, Pappy Joe's Ranch
When they pulled up to the house, Riley gave Lucas' hand a squeeze of reassurance. As they got to the front door of the house they were greeted by every member of Lucas' immediate family and her parents. His Aunt Jessie and Uncle Jack were the first to offer their congratulations. Aunt Jessie picked up Riley's left hand in hers and looked at her mother's ring on Riley's hand, "That ring was made for your hand, Riley, I had forgotten how beautiful it was. I'm glad Lucas gave it to you, something that beautiful should be worn for everyone to see."
"Thank you, Aunt Jessie, that means a lot to me," Riley said.
"Not to force you into anything, but when it comes time for dress shopping, I have a couple of family heirlooms, you might like to see," Jessie told them.
Lucas looked at Riley and smiled, "this is all your territory. I don't think I'd look too good in a dress."
Riley playfully smacked his arm, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Aunt Jessie excused herself to go check on her boys, Justus and Joey, just knowing they were off causing trouble somewhere.
Next to greet them was Ellie and her handsome cowboy, Sam. Ellie couldn't get over Riley's ring and started dropping hints for Sam, who appeared to be rather nervous.
Lucas scanned the room for any sign of his dad or grandfather and didn't see either man in the house. He found Cory first and asked him, "where is my dad, Cory? I need to have a few words with him in private."
Cory pointed Lucas in the direction of the pond. He caught sight of his father once he neared the edge of the pond. When his dad heard him approach, he turned and looked at him, but didn't say anything. Lucas walked over and stood next to his father and the two of them looked out over the water for a bit.
Lucas knew he would have to speak first. James Friar was a stubborn man, nowhere near as stubborn as his own father, but Lucas knew he wasn't going to break the silence. "You want to talk about it, Dad?"
"Not really, son. Where's Riley? I'd really like to see her before I leave. I can't stay here with him, I'm sorry, Lucas," he sounded like his mind was made up.
"Why not, Dad? He's your father, how would you feel if it was me running out on you? You and I had our problems, granted nothing like you and Pappy, but I never walked away from a conversation with you, you're the one that taught me that," he was gonna have to make his dad feel bad.
"I wouldn't like it all, but you and I always managed to talk through things, Luke. Your Pappy is a stubborn man and when we start talking it always ends in an argument and that scares me with his age and health. It's easier to walk away." His dad just turned and looked back out over the water.
"What do you mean? I'm 23, you're 43 and Pappy Joe is 70. Granted he's no spring chicken, but he doesn't have a foot in his grave yet. He's healthy as a horse!" Lucas wasn't going to let it go, "Please stick around for one more day, for me?"
James knew how much this meant to Lucas and couldn't let his son down. He turned and faced Lucas, he looked into those green eyes that matched his own, eyes that he and his sister had inherited from their mother. I will stay one more day and I'll stay for the party Luke," he placed a hand on Lucas' shoulder, "we better head back to the house, your momma, Topanga, and Ellie have been cooking all day."
"Wait, you weren't really going to leave, were you?" Lucas asked.
"I was going to go to Jessie and Jack's today and head back home with your momma tomorrow, but she has been planning this little shindig since you told us you were proposing to Riley," James smiled at his son.
"Thanks, dad," Lucas hugged him.
"Do me a favor son, never put your wife and kids thru this. Never go to bed angry at your child, don't let things fester and get to the point things are with me and Pappy, please?" his father was almost begging him.
"I can promise you I won't do that, I already told Riley it would never happen," his dad smiled as he told him.
Lucas walked back to the house with his father, just in time to hear his grandfather enter the room and say, "Where are they?"
Riley walked over to Lucas and grabbed his hand and pulled him toward, Pappy Joe, "right here, Pappy Joe!"
Pappy Joe put an arm around each of them and pulled them close for a hug, "I'm so happy for the two of you, I'm finally getting my granddaughter! Let me see that ring on your finger, girl!" Pappy Joe held Riley's small hand in his and pulled his eye glasses out of his pocket and put them on. Pappy Joe had a tear in his eye when he saw the ring.
"What's wrong, Pappy Joe, does it not look right on my hand? Lucas told me it was his Grammy's," Riley's voice was full of concern.
Pappy Joe looked her in the eye, "this ring looks like it was made for your hand, beautiful! Emma would be tickled to death to see it on your finger." Pappy turned and walked away from them.
"He's okay, Riley, I think he just needs a minute, I'll go check on him," Lucas told her.
Lucas headed down the hall to his grandfather's room, he knocked but got no answer. The door was open a bit and Lucas pushed it open.
Pappy Joe heard the door and assumed it was Jimmy (James) coming to look for him. He just continued to stare out the window, with his back to the door.
"Jimmy, please just go, I don't want to argue with you anymore, it's exhausting! I just want to enjoy celebrating Lucas and Riley's engagement. Please just go away, boy!" he just didn't have it in him to go another round.
Lucas could hear the weariness in his grandfather's voice, the old man was tired.
"Why don't you put an end to it then, he doesn't like it anymore than you do, Pappy," Lucas told him.
Joe turned when he heard Lucas' voice, "Lucas, I'm sorry, I just assumed it was Jimmy. How was your trip with Riley, did she like Paris? Was she surprised." He wanted to change the subject.
"The trip was good and yes, she loved Paris and was very surprised. Zay has it all in a video for everyone to see. I assume momma and Topanga will make sure everyone gets to see it."
"That was awful nice of Zay and his girl, what's her name? I forget, awful sweet girl, though. We best get back out there, it'll be time to eat soon. The ladies have been running 'round here all day. Bet there's some good eatin' to be had." Joe said
"Sarah, her name is Sarah and she is very sweet. I'm sure mom and Topanga will have an excellent dinner, but I don't want to talk about that now. I want to talk about you and my dad, what's going on Pappy Joe?" Lucas wanted to get to the bottom of things.
"We just had some words is all. Nothing for you to worry about."
"But I am worried, Pappy," Lucas had his grandfather's complete attention once he said those words. "The letter you gave us, said that you were proud of him and his choices, the things you said about him and Mom and Granddaddy Bradford, they were beautiful." Lucas chose his next words carefully, "When I got expelled and dad got the transfer to New York, you told him the best place for me was the ranch. You were happy that proved to be wrong, you said he was right about a change of scenery. You've always said New York was the best thing to happen to me. Do you not feel that way?" Lucas knew he was asking a lot of questions, he wanted to figure things out?
"Every word I said in that letter was the truth. I'm proud of you and I'm proud of Jimmy. I don't think Jimmy wants anything I have to offer him. He's been in the city 10 years now and I don't think he's ever gonna come back home." Pappy Joe finally said what was on his mind and heart.
"Pappy, have you asked dad if he and mom ever plan to come back to Texas?" Lucas knew this grandfather's answer before he even asked.
"No, it's not my place. Jimmy has always made his mind up about things, regardless of what I think. He's a lot like his momma," Pappy Joe turned away from Lucas and looked back out the window. "This ranch isn't any place for someone with your daddy's head for business. I'm just an old fool."
"You miss him, there is nothing wrong with admitting that. Dad would love to hear those words from you! The two of you are so stubborn that you talk about everything but what you feel and all that does is end in the two of you arguing. He wants your approval and you refuse to tell him that he has it!" Lucas finally understood what the problem was. His father and Pappy were about to learn a lesson he learned a long time ago from some guy that wanted to be a Sherpa.
While Lucas had taken off after his grandfather, Riley pulled her own father aside and asked him what he thought about the situation with James and Pappy.
"Honey, this is something that the two of them have to work out between them. Issues between a parent and child are touchy," Cory told her.
"What if I had some information that could potentially end the arguing and get them past their issues, should I share that information, Daddy?" Riley asked.
"Have you spoken to Lucas about this, sweetie?" Cory asked her.
"Yes, I have. He told me not to share it," she admitted.
"Riley, you need to honor Lucas' wishes on this, he must have his reasons. You may not be able to fix this, honey." Cory was sympathetic to what Riley wanted to do, but she needed to do what Lucas asked of her.
"You're siding with Lucas?" she was a bit surprised at that, her father always backed her.
"Riley, he has his reasons, respect them," Cory was pleading.
"I have my reasons too, Dad," with that she kissed her father on the cheek and went in search of her future father in law. She didn't have to look too far, he was in the kitchen trying to sneak a bite of some pulled pork that had been made for dinner.
"Hey, James, sorry I mean dad. Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked with a smile.
"Anything for my future daughter in law!" he smiled and offered Riley his arm and led her out to the back deck. "What did you want to talk about, Riley?"
"You and Pappy Joe," she said.
"Riley, I don't think that is any of your business," he told her.
"Why? Because I'm not a Friar?" she knew that question was out of line, "I'm sorry that was uncalled for."
"You are a Friar, have been for years now. What I was going to say is that I don't think this concerns you, it's between me and my father," James explained.
"But it does concern me because it concerns Lucas. Your constant arguing with Pappy Joe is wearing on him. It needs to stop before it tears all three of you apart. Lucas is in the middle and that isn't some place he needs to be," Riley told him.
James thought about what Riley just told him, he didn't want this to affect Lucas. His father would feel the same way. If there was one thing James and Pappy Joe agreed on it was Lucas.
"Say whatever it is you need to say, Riley, I'm listening," he would hear her out.
"It's not so much what I have to say, I want to show you something." She said as she pulled a piece of folded up paper from her pocket. She held it out towards James.
"What's this?" he asked as he took it from her hand. He didn't unfold it right away.
"That is something Pappy Joe wrote, I just copied it word for word, you need to read it." she really hoped he would.
"What do you mean, Pappy Joe's words?" he was curious what she was talking about.
"Do you remember the envelope you and Kelly gave us the other night, the one from Pappy Joe? Well, it was a letter for me and Lucas. He told us what he knew about marriage, it was beautiful." she explained.
"Riley, those words were meant for you and Lucas, what does this have to do with me? James asked, even more, curious about the piece of paper.
"Pappy Joe wrote about you and Kelly. I think he said things about you in this letter that you need to know. Maybe they aren't things he can voice. I hope you read it. I love Lucas and I love you and Pappy Joe, you Friar men are pretty special." she gave him one of those trademark Riley smiles, kissed his cheek and walked back in the house.
He watched her walk away and thought how lucky his son was to have someone like her to spend the rest of his life with. He turned the piece of paper in his hand and finally decided to unfold it. He took a deep breath and read the words his father wrote about him.
Lucas, your parents have been together since they were 14 years old. I'll never forget the day Jimmy came home all starry eyed over your momma. He came out to the barn to tell me all about the new girl in school. Kelly Bradford made quite an impression on your dad. She was all he talked about for the next 6 months. I remember he asked her dad for permission to take her on a date. Jimmy was so heart-broken when your Granddaddy told him that he didn't want Kelly dating until she was 16. Most teenage boys would have given up, but not my Jimmy. The two of them spent as much time together as Marcus Bradford would allow. The very day Kelly turned 16, Jimmy asked Marcus for his permission again and this time he got it. She said yes and the rest is history. They had spent two years getting to know each other and they fell quickly. Your dad was always respectful of your grandfather's wishes where your momma was concerned. About a month after they graduated from high school, he asked for her hand. Old Marcus Bradford, couldn't deny that they belonged together. They got married when they were 19 and a couple years later you came along. I'm proud that you have had their example.
I'm proud of the example Jimmy's been as a father too. He had a tough decision to make when you got expelled and that caused the two of you to have some rough years. I wasn't happy with it at the time, I knew I would miss you and thought the best place for you was here on this ranch. I'm glad to admit I was wrong. Moving to New York City was the best thing to happen to you, in more ways than one. I owe your dad an apology for my behavior ever since. I know the only thing that boy wants is his father's approval but he's always had it and I just don't know how to tell him what he needs to hear. You wouldn't have ever met Riley if he hadn't insisted you needed a change. You've made good friends and you've made good choices for your life and I couldn't be prouder of you, boy.
Riley walked back in the kitchen and noticed it was empty, she was going to offer her help to her mother and Kelly. She heard laughing and talking coming from the living room. Everyone was there, with the addition of two people she had met briefly during her high school graduation, Lucas' Granddaddy and Memaw Bradford, Marcus, and Lily.
Granddaddy wasted no time, he walked right up to Riley and opened his arms for her, she walked right to him and hugged him, "Riley girl, you've grown up so pretty!" he said as he pulled away from her and looked at her.
"Thank you, Granddaddy, it's so good to see you again," Riley said.
She turned and saw Memaw waiting patiently, "You too, Memaw!" Riley turned to hug the older woman.
"Look at you, all grown up and so beautiful! I also understand you finally caught your fella here too." Memaw took Riley's left hand and looked at the ring, winking her eye in approval and adding, "very nice!"
She and Lucas spent a few more minutes catching up with his grandparents before Riley saw someone in the corner of the room she needed to talk to. She excused herself and walked over to the lady sitting on the end of the sofa that had been pushed to the side.
She sat down next to that person, apparently, waking them from a small nap, "Well, if it isn't the bride to be!" Ida Mae Gandy had a big smile for her.
"I'm sorry if I startled you when I sat down, Grandma," Riley said in apology.
"You didn't startle me, I was just having a power nap," she said with a laugh. "Now let me see this ring that has been described to me as an ice rink."
Riley happily held up her left hand for Grandma Gandy to get a good look at her ring. "That's no ice rink, it's a very beautiful ring, I must say."
"Thanks, Grandma. Who described it as an ice rink?" Riley asked.
"My Isaiah's sweet little girlfriend, Sarah. I think she's a bit jealous. They showed me the video and some of the pictures from the proposal, that sweet boy did good, didn't he?" Grandma asked.
"Yes, Lucas did very good, it was a wonderful surprise," Riley said with a smile.
She sat in conversation with Ida Mae for a few more minutes and excused herself when she saw Lucas' dad walk into the living room and greet his mother and father in law. She was curious to ask if he read Pappy Joe's words. He noticed her approach and just smiled at her and nodded. She had her answer.
Kelly Friar and Topanga Matthews walked into the room and announced that dinner was ready. They all headed out to the back yard where tables had been set up for the occasion. There was a handwritten banner that read, Congrats Riley and Lucas!
She suspected that Auggie and his two new best friends, Justus and Joey had a hand in that.
Riley and Lucas were the first to go through the food line, they both had plates heaped with food, they found a place to sit and were soon joined by Zay and Sarah and Ellie and Sam, the sexy cowboy. They talked about everything under the sun, Riley talked about the Eiffel in Paris, Texas and how fitting the cowboy hat on top of it was, Sarah talked about Zay's grandmother and her thoughts on Texas. Ellie talked about her stint in culinary school and how she wanted to be one of those TV chefs, Sam told them that he was now a full-time employee of Pappy Joe's and that he would start at the ranch in a few days.
As the evening wore on Riley and Lucas were both anxious about Pappy Joe and James. They hadn't been able to discuss their separate conversations with them, but Riley had a good feeling.
Someone had set up a makeshift dance floor in the yard and had an iPod hooked up to a speaker system. Couples broke off and started dancing, even Lucas' grandparents joined in. Riley's favorite couple on the dance floor had to be Pappy Joe and Grandma Gandy. They were dancing to an old slow song and enjoying each other's company.
Lucas and Zay decided to grab their girls and take a walk down by the pond. Sarah couldn't believe the stars, "Wow! It's so beautiful, I've never seen the stars like this."
"All the lights in the city keep us from being able to see them," Riley told her.
They stood there until Lucas's phone rang in his pocket.
It was Topanga calling him, he answered, "Hey, Mom, what's up?"
"Where are you?" Topanga asked.
"We're down at the pond with Zay and Sarah, what's up?" He told her.
"You need to get up to the house now, your Dad and Pappy Joe are at it again and Cory and Sam are trying to keep them apart. Jessie's involved and you just need to get here, now." She hung up.
"We have to get to the house, now, Dad and Pappy again." He grabbed Riley's hand and made a beeline for the house.
Riley couldn't believe what she was seeing, her dad was holding James back and Sam was holding Pappy Joe back.
"Old man, you don't care about me, I have never been able to do anything that has made you happy!" James shouted.
"Now's not the time for this conversation, Jimmy!" Pappy Joe shouted back.
Lucas ran to stand between them, thanking Cory and Sam for their help, "Would the two of you please stop! This is supposed to be a party, everyone we know and love is here. I thought the two of you could let this go for one night to celebrate with me and Riley, but you can't!"
James looked at the ground feeling humiliated and angry with himself for starting another argument with his father.
"I'm sorry Luke, it was my fault. I just need to know if he meant these words," James explained holding up the folded piece of paper Riley had given him.
"What's that Dad?" Lucas asked him.
"It's something Riley gave me." His dad answered.
Lucas looks at Riley and she looked away, he knew what it was.
"Riles, babe what did you do?" He asked, but he knew.
"I showed him what Pappy Joe wrote, I had to, your Dad needed to see it," Riley explained.
"I asked you not to do that Riley, why?" Lucas asked her.
"I know you did, but you know me and you know I have to fix things, I did it for you Lucas and your Dad and Pappy Joe. I love you and I know what the two of them arguing is doing to you, what it must do to the two of them," she explained to him.
Everyone was silent. Cory spoke to the crowd, "I think we need to let the four of them talk this out in private." The crowd started to go back in the house, "Riley, you got this?"
"I got this, Daddy. Thank you," she kissed her father on the cheek and he headed inside.
"Riley, what did you do?" Pappy Joe asked her.
"Well, since you and your son won't sit down and have an actual conversation, I showed him what you said about him in the letter you gave me and Lucas." she was looking him straight in the eyes.
"Why would you do that?" He just couldn't understand.
"Because, you and James need to sit down and have a real conversation, not yell at each other and try to talk over the other person, Lucas and I learned a valuable lesson a long time ago," she said.
"The most meaningful part of any relationship is conversation," Lucas said. "That was advice given to Riley and I before we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend. My favorite thing in this world is when she talks to me and I think it always will be."
Riley walked over to Lucas and grabbed his hand, "I think that's one of the reasons we get along so well, we talk about everything. There are times, I don't have to talk to him, we just know what the other is thinking or feeling about something."
Pappy Joe had sat down on a nearby bench and Riley went and sat next to him, " Pappy Joe, I'm sorry I shared part of that beautiful letter you wrote us, but James needed to know how you felt. I only did it because…"
"She loves us Dad, at least that's what she told me when she gave me this piece of paper," James chimed in. "We're very lucky that she's going to be a Friar."
"Well, that's something I agree with you about, Jimmy," Pappy Joe said, smiling up at Riley.
Lucas sat next to Riley while his Dad sat next to Pappy Joe, "Can I ask you about this again, Dad?" James asked holding that folded up piece of paper where Joe could see it.
"You don't have to ask Jimmy, I meant everything I said in that letter. I'm proud of you and the life you made for yourself, you have a wonderful family." Pappy Joe said, he was having a hard time looking his son in the eye. "I owe you an apology, I was wrong about your move to New York, it was the right thing for you to do, it's exactly what Lucas needed, I'm sorry, son."
James stood up and offered a hand to his father, "I accept that apology, I love you, Dad and I hate that I've acted like a child seeking his father's approval for his life choices. I'm sorry, too."
Pappy Joe refused James' hand, instead, he stood up, looked his son in the eye and said, "I don't say this near enough to any of you, I love you Jimmy and you have nothing to apologize for," Joe opened his arms and hugged his son.
James couldn't believe his father had said those words to him, he hadn't heard them a lot in his life. He returned his father's hug.
Lucas and Riley were sitting there watching father and son reconnect with tears in their eyes. It dawned on Lucas that there was something his Pappy needed to ask his Dad. He stood up and walked over to them and cleared his throat trying to get their attention. James pulled away from Joe just enough to pull Lucas in and include him in their hug, Lucas just laughed.
Once the three Friar men ended their hug, Lucas got serious and looked at his Pappy and said, "Isn't there something you wanted to ask Dad, Pappy?"
Joe was a little surprised Lucas would bring that up now and the look on his face must have said as much.
"Don't stop talking now, the lines of communication are open, ask him or tell him what you're feeling." Lucas wanted it all out in the open.
"What's Luke talking about Dad?" James asked.
"I have something I want to ask, but don't know what Y'all will think." Pappy Joe was a bit nervous.
"Just do it, Dad," James said.
"Pappy, get it all out in the open, please." Lucas encouraged.
"OK," Pappy Joe said. "Jimmy, I was wondering if you and Kelly had ever thought about or discussed moving back to Texas?"
Pappy Joe's question caught James completely by surprise, "Well, I mean, I don't know, we had talked about it a few times, but nothing has been set in stone."
"It's been 10 years since you left and I was just wondered if you had any plans to come home?" Pappy asked. "Do you miss the ranch at all?"
"Dad, of course, I miss the ranch, I miss everything about it. Our jobs and home are in New York though, so is Luke." James answered.
"Lucas is a grown man about to be a married man with a wife, he won't need his momma and daddy around so much. Kelly can teach school anywhere, and I need a good man with a head for business on the ranch, someone to take care of this legacy I've built. That someone should be a Friar." Joe had tears in his eyes.
"I just figured with Jessie and Jack here, they'd be taking over the day to day operations, Dad."
"Their moving off the ranch. They bought a small spread a couple miles from here and will be moving out of the house their in soon. It'll be empty." Joe was trying to sweeten the deal.
"Wait, how come this is the first I'm hearing about it?" James asked.
"I didn't think it would be something you'd consider. Look, I'm gonna tell you like it is, Jimmy, I miss you and I know Marcus and Lily miss Kelly, none of us are getting any younger. I think it's about time you came home. You only left because Lucas needed a change and that was 10 years ago. The boy turned out well, don't you think? This ranch was your dream once, it can still be that," Joe was being as sincere as he could be and meant every word.
"You miss me?" James asked, smiling.
"Yes, I miss you, you're my boy and I miss seeing you every day, maybe that's where all our troubles were coming from, I don't know," Joe admitted.
James, with tears in his eyes, said, "I can't make any promises Dad, but Kelly and I will seriously consider it, I miss you, too. She misses her folks and Lucas doesn't have near as much time for us as he used to."
"Dad, I'm right here, I try to see you and mom as often. as I can. But you guys need to do what's right for the two of you, right now my life is very much in New York City, with Riley." Lucas would miss them if they left, but he wanted them to be happy.
"We'd miss you too, Luke," his father told him.
"Um, excuse me, hi, remember me, Riley." she had been standing there watching the whole conversation, feeling forgotten. It made her all warm inside to see these men that she loved getting along and happy.
Lucas walked over to her and took her hand and pulled her with him, "We could never forget about you, babe."
"Riley, it was once said that Lucas' Grammy Emma was the glue that held this family together, I think that maybe when we lost her, me and Pappy Joe lost our way. You and Lucas helped us find a new way tonight, thank you both." James was smiling as he said that.
Pappy Joe had to agree with James, "I know the two of you sure did teach this old dog a new trick or two. Thank you, Lucas and Riley, Lucas isn't the only lucky Friar man here tonight, I think it's safe to say that all three of us are gonna be blessed with you as the next Mrs. Friar."
