A/N: I do not own anything, nothing except a house, two cars , too much junk and two kids. I especially do not own HOD, Toby Keith, or any other references to songs in this chapter.
There will be one more chapter to this story. Please review, give me some direction and I will see if I can find a way to fit it in.
CHAPTER 12 Family Ties
"It feels so good to be back, Addy."
"Dr. Hart, we all missed you. We have a pretty light schedule today. You have three appointments. Your first is at ten with Ally Smith. Her mom says her throat is hurting."
'Where is Brick?"
"He is working a half day, since you were gone for so long. Doctor, so you are okay? I know you and Wade are still together but never knew why you ran off."
"It had something to do with the stalker and we found out who it was so that is over."
"I've never seen that boy so in love."
"Addy, he is the most amazing, caring and completely sexy man on earth. I am in love too. In fact, we are living together. He is remodeling the carriage house but I am not sure if we will live there or not."
"So, you agreed to live with each other but you don't know where?"
"Umm, you are right. We didn't get that far. Does he want us to live in the carriage house? Does he want to also remodel the gatehouse? Does he want to love somewhere else? Addy don't schedule anything for me after one. I need to go to the Rammer Jammer."
"Dr. Hart don't overthink things. It doesn't matter where you live it only matters that you are together. You are a lucky one that Wade has so many skills."
"Yes, he has many, many skills, Addy. So many skills" I fanned myself with the patient folders. Addy gave me a smirk.
"Hello Ally. How are you feeling today?"
"My throat is really sore?"
I performed my exam. She didn't present any other symptoms but the test showed she had strept throat.
"Here is a prescription for amoxicillin. Make sure to take the full ten days."
Her mom assured me that she would.
The rest of the morning went by fairly quick. I was so happy that it was lunch time and practically ran to the Rammer Jammer.
"Wade, Wade, I missed you so much." I basically jumped on the bar and attacked him with my arms and lips.
"Hey Doc, I have missed you too. It's lunch time. What would you like to put in that pretty little mouth of yours."
I blushed. "Food Doc, food. Get your mind out of the gutter."
"Grilled chicken sandwich and fries."
I kissed him again on the cheek. "As soon as you get a chance. I have something I want to talk to you about."
"Alright, give me a few minutes."
Finally, he sat down beside me. He kissed me again. God, I hope he never quits kissing me. "What's up?"
"We said we would move in together, but we never decided where. Where do you want to live, Wade? I know you are remodeling the carriage house but do you want to live there? Because I also love your house. I love the wall of windows behind the bed and I love the porch. We could have friends over and barbeque. Or do you want to find a house somewhere else?"
"Baby, I had assumed you would want to live at the carriage house. But I do like the idea of renovating the Gatehouse. I will talk to Lavon. So you are sure you want to live at the Gatehouse?"
"Yes, I love it. Can we have a roof over part of the porch so I can have a bench swing?"
He winked at me and said "You can have anything you want." He paused and said "Jesse is coming in later to discuss buying the bar."
"Are you leaning towards doing it?"
"We'll see what Jesse has to say. I will tell ya all about it when I get home. Love ya Doc."
"Love you too Cowboy."
XXXXXXX
"Wally wants to sell for $100,000"
"Jess, are you wanting to go 50/50? Because if I buy this place, I want to build onto it. Have a function room and a concert area."
"I don't have much money left, a few hundred thousand but I do need to sell my house so I would have about half million."
"I am thinking it would be about 500,000 total if we do as much of the work ourselves. But in all honesty I would want like 75% of it. I have plenty of money left so I would put in $375,000 and you can put in $125,000."
"Wade, we can go in half and half."
"Sorry Jess, if I do this, I am going to be in charge. I think we would pay you a salary to be an owner/manager, plus you get 25% of the profits. Listen, the Doc and I are moving forward and going to move in together, permanently. Plus this way, you have plenty of money to keep invested and you can buy a house here when you sell yours."
"So, would we make decisions together? How would you see your role?"
"Sure, unless it's about spending more of my money. I just want to concentrate on the concert hall in the beginning and of course, I would bartend but I don't want to be here every Saturday night. We can work together on everything."
"You wanna go buy a bar?"
"Hell yeah, Jess! I will call George and have him draw up an agreement between us listing our capital investment, and percentage of profits, etc."
"Ok, I will call Wally and tell him that he has a buyer."
We bumped fists. I know everyone says don't go into business with family but I finally feel like I have one again. I want Jesse to be happy and him being here makes me happy. Sure, we will argue but we have the ladies to keep us on track. I called George and gave him all of the details. He said the paperwork would be ready tomorrow.
Jesse called Wally and he would meet us tomorrow at George's office.
XXXXXXX
We closed down the bar for one night, for a private event. An event to celebrate Wade and Jesse buying the Rammer Jammer. It was a small gathering of course, Wade, Jesse, me, Lemon, Earl, George, Lavon, AB, Brick, Addy and Bill.
The tables had been pushed together to make a long table. Lemon had a white table cloth over it with a row of gardenias in a long wooden vase. She had three candles placed throughout the centerpiece. She really can pull a party together faster than a pregnant lady eats a pint of ice cream.
Wade stood up. "I could have done this a long time ago but it never felt right. I didn't need it. But now, I have Zoe who lights my way. I have my brother back in town and now he is my business partner. I have Dad who has given me the best advice over the last few months. He told me to let Zoe know how I feel. He told me to go after her in New York. Even though I am sure I don't deserve her or any of you, I love all of ya.
Lavon, man you have encouraged me from the beginning. George, our friendship has withstood a lot and the fact that we are still best buds means the world to me.
Anyway, Jesse and I hope you will hang with us while we make some changes. We wanted you all to know about them first. The Rammer Jammer will basically stay the same except we are going to open up a wall and make a function room for parties, book clubs, showers, etc. We are going to have a wall of tvs over there for live sporting events. But the biggest change is we are going to have a concert hall. Not a big venue but it will have a 1000 person capacity. Without further ado, Jesse and I would like for our friends here to be the first to see the architect's rendering of the," he paused while he took the white cloth off of the easel. "The Jackie Kinsella Concert Hall."
There were gasps and small screams and then soon, not a dry eye at the table. Earl and Jesse got up and the three-way bear hug began. The three of them were shedding some pent up emotions, knowing how proud she would be of her boys. We all clapped and congratulated the Kinsella men.
One last thing, Tucker and I would like to play something for you all. Golden Boy and I will be the first act in the Jackie Kinsella Concert Hall.
We got cowboys
We got truckers
Broken-hearted fools and suckers
And we got hustlers
We got fighters
Early-birds and all-nighters
And the veterans talk about their battle scars
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, I love this bar
I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just walkin' through the front door
Puts a big smile on my face
It ain't too far
Come as you are
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, I love this bar
…..
But I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just toein' around the dance floor
Puts a big smile on my face
No cover charge
Come as you are
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, I love this bar
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, I just love this old bar
I didn't let Wade finish, I just kissed him.
I whispered to him "This place is going to be amazing, and our life together is going to be even better than that. I love you Wade Kinsella more than you will ever comprehend. You are my guy."
He kissed me softly with the small grin with the left side of his mouth turned up just a tad. "I meant what I said. You have given me my light back and my life back. All of this is for you and for us."
XXXXXXXX
"AHHHHHHH!"
"What's wrong Doc? Oh Candice, nice to see you again."
"Mom, what are you doing here? Who let you in?"
"Oh honey, when I saw the construction at your house, I thought I would come over and see if Wade knew where you were. Now where are you staying while your house is being redone?"
"Here, with Wade" as she moved closer and let her arm circle my waist.
"I see. So you two are dating? It's always to have a play thing that looks like him Zoe. Now sit down and tell me why you were in New York."
Zoe looked at me. "Zoe, can we talk for a minute outside?"
I took her hand in mine. "You don't have to tell her about what happened. It is whatever you want but I am staying, I am not leaving you if you want to tell her."
"Okay, I am not sure but I want you with me. I need to tell her we are going to love together anyway."
I leaned down and sank my lips into hers. "I love you Doc, don't let her put doubts in your head. As much as I love being your 'play thing', I love being your boyfriend more."
"I know, I won't let her."
"Mom, there is something we need to tell you."
"Oh God, please tell me you are not pregnant."
"No." Zoe was twisting her fingers and stammering a little. I moved her hair off of her shoulder and gave her a nod like I will take this one.
"Candice, Zoe and I are moving in together permanently. She has been living here while I remodeled the carriage house."
"Wade, you know I like you and your ruggedness but Zoe will never be satisfied with someone like you."
I waited a moment to see if Zoe would come to my defense and she didn't. I felt a stabbing pain in my chest. Then I turned to her and her nose was bright red. It always does that right before she explodes into crying or screaming. Really anytime she is upset. I pulled her close and whispered "Am I enough for you?"
I shouldn't have because I could barely hold back my own tears in fear of what her answer would be. She cleared her throat and stepped out of my embrace.
"Mom, Wade is more than enough for me. He is perfect in every way that matters.
First, he loves me more than anyone ever has, including you and Dad. Do you know how I know that?"
Candice looked peaved. "I will tell you how. About three months ago, Wade and I decided to give us a try, to stop denying our chemistry and feelings."
"Honey, you are misinterpreting your feelings. Sex is much different than."
"Mom, stop. It's not sex although that is wonderful."
I felt a smile creep across my face.
"What about that George Tucker? I thought you were mooning over him."
My smile dissolved.
"Mom, I love Wade and he loves me. Back to how I know he is perfect for me. Because when I left him and went to New York. He knew something was wrong. He followed me and spent three weeks with me in New York working through some major stuff. I was stalked."
"Oh Zoe, you were stalked? You have always been such a drama queen."
"Mom I was raped! Raped and you couldn't even hear it in my voce for the past eight years. Do you know who could hear it after dating me for ten days? Wade, that is right Wade. When I got to New York, I called you and you were too busy, couldn't even hear the hurt in my voice. You are my mother."
"Calm down baby. Breathe, in slowly and out slowly. That's good, a few more times."
Her voice level came down a couple of octaves.
"Wade knew when he talked to me on the phone that I needed him. I didn't ask him to come. He just came to be with me. We weren't really sure that we were even still together. But the one person in the world that was there for me, is the man standing beside me."
Candice looked like a slinky as she fell to the couch.
"You were, you were."
"I was raped eight years ago. You and Dad didn't care then either. I was raped by another doctor so forgive me if I don't want to be with a doctor or lawyer or someone you feel is worthy of me. The only man that I have ever loved is standing right here Now if you can't get on board then get the hell out!"
"Zoe, I think your mom may need some time to digest everything. Candice, can I take you to the Whipperwill? Where are your bags?"
"No Wade, I need to go to the airport."
"The hell you are Candice. Your daughter just told you she was raped. She was stalked. She is in love with me. She is living with me. And all you can say is you need to get to the airport? How about one time in your daughter's life, you stay and do the hard work of repairing your relationship?"
"Wade, it's ok. I am used to it. That is her and Dad's modus operandi, leave when the going gets tough. It was mine too, until you brought me home."
"Alright, it's your decision Candice, you can stay here on the couch or I can take you to the inn. I won't be the one to drive you to the airport."
"Zoe, I'm sorry honey. I am sorry I haven't been there for you. Wade, will you take me to the bed and breakfast now."
I shook my head and kissed Zoe on the head. "Sure, where are your bags."
"Inside Zoe's house."
Candice kissed Zoe on the cheek and promised that would talk tomorrow.
As I drove in front of the Whipperwill, I put the car in park and retrieved Candice's luggage. "Candice, I love your daughter. With all due respect, I will fight for her and with her. I will do everything within my power to make her dreams come true."
"That's the problem, Wade. You can't make her dreams come true. What can you give her?"
"I give her every piece of me. As it turns out, that is all she has ever wanted. Someone that loves her completely, that knows her thoughts, that is there for her every single day and night. I have been right here for her every day that she needed me since she moved here. But since we have been together, we have gotten to know each other on a whole new level."
"That part I do not need to hear."
"Candice, you are now only the sixth person that she has told about being raped. Please don't undo all of the progress she has made. Think about it. All she needs is for you to pick up the phone when she calls and that you actually listen to her."
XXXXX
Where is Wade? Why is he taking so long? Did he throw my mom into the lake?
I tried calling him but he left his phone here. I heard his Chevelle out front. I ran outside to meet him, practically jumping into his arms.
"I'm here Doc. Never leaving you other than for work or fishin'"
"I was afraid you might do something to her, like throw her in a lake or something and then I would have to live my life coming to see the sexist man alive in prison. Or that she paid you off to leave."
"Baby, I think you are forgetting something. I could never be bought. That is why I stayed a bartender. That money could have made me into something I wasn't. Hey, maybe I should buy her off? Now come on, let's get in bed. It has been a very long and exciting day."
She took off her clothes and put on one of my t-shirts. I slept in my lounge pants and pressed our bodies together. An hour later she still wasn't asleep. I got up and picked up my guitar and sat on the edge of the bed and played "Lean On Me' and then "Amazing Grace". Her hand meandered around my thigh until she relaxed enough to fall asleep.
