His insides did gymnastics the whole drive. Wayne had made him clean the van, wash all his clothes, triple check his toothbrush, cologne and med situations. He left at 6am freshly showered and bleary-eyed, wet hair bunched at the back of his neck and a new air freshener stinking up the vehicle. It was a long way to Nebraska, and he would need to stop for a few hours to nap, but he could make it there tonight. He had told Rosie as much. She would be expecting him.

Didn't help that it was scorching. Eddie tried to just drive with the windows down but as the sun belted down, resorted to the air conditioning. Visors down, shades on, he felt the effort of that morning shower go to waste as droplets trickled down his back. Mid-afternoon, and after grabbing a quick, dry truck stop sandwich, he pulled off his t-shirt and took to the road with it tossed on the seat beside him, chugging water. This was hell.

He was in the right state, at least. The sign a couple of miles back had confirmed that. He went north, following markers until he hit the town closest the ranch. Slammed down a burger and fries while he poured over the map. Nearly spilled his Coke all over it as he traced the line of the narrow road that ran upto it.

"Northwest..." He mouthed around his food. "Pass the old brewery... take a left..."

"You lost?" The waitress, passing by, stopped to look.

Eddie fought the lump of burger down as she watched. "I need to get to Johanesson Ranch."

She leaned in closer. "Oh. That's it alright."

Eddie glanced from the red circle to her. "You know it?"

"Family comes into town every few months. Nice folks. Rich. Always give a great tip." She nodded. "You going to Pete's wedding?"

"I guess?"

"You guess?"

"Bride's sister is my girlfriend."

"Ah-hah." She took out her pen and drew along one of the roads. "Take this 'til you hit Austin's Farm on the left. There's a side road with a sign. Take it slow or you'll hit the ditch."

"Got it. Thank you."

"Honey?"

"Yeah?"

"Might want to put on some cologne or somethin'"

That only made him sweat more. Eddie had to stop before the turn to catch his breath and fan himself. The burger was climbing back up. His fight or flight was kicking in, and he took his hands off the wheel before he took a U-turn and fled all the way back to Indiana.

"Don't run." He told himself. "No running."

He opened the glove compartment and held some of Rosie's photos into the moonlight. Pushed his fear down and hid them away as he pulled out onto the road. He had sworn.

The ranch was huge. Vast fields rolled out on either side as he turned up the dirt drive. Low buildings - which he guessed were stables - popped up on his left. A neigh floated through the open window. Up ahead were two buildings; one clearly someone's very large home, the other sprawling over different sections. They'd mentioned a guest house, not a whole hotel. Suddenly, Eddie felt very poor. He slowed to a halt outside of the lamplight and spritzed himself, tugging on his t-shirt to circulate some air against his skin. Was his hair frizzy? He checked the rear-view. Yes. Eddie pulled his bangs in dismay.

A sheepdog charged up to the van, barking. A little terrier followed, yipping. He'd been spotted. Someone waved from the front porch.

Rosie.

He fumbled with the door and hopped out. The dogs jumped up and ran away playfully when he tried to pet them. Rosie jogged over and almost tackled him to the ground.

"You made it!"

"I made it." Eddie lifted her behind the van for a kiss. Surely her father couldn't see them there?

"You're all sweaty."

"Sorry. It's like a hundred degrees in there. I had this off most of the way but..."

"Don't worry. You'll cool off in the house."

"Which house?"

"I know, right?"

"This place is huge!"

"We're staying in that one." Rosie pointed to the two-story "Lodge". "I think you're in with the best man?"

He blinked. "We're not...?"

"Nuh-uh. Not a chance."

Her father probably arranged it that way. "When do I get to spend time with you?"

"We'll figure it out."

Eddie pouted, opening the rear doors. The little terrier leapt in. "Hey! Nothing in there for you!"

"Monty!" Rosie commanded. "Out!"

"Monty?"

"I didn't name him."

She lifted the dog out and shooed him back as she helped Eddie with his stuff.

"Those are for your mom." He told her as the picked a bouquet out of a dried-up jar. "They're not damaged, are they?"

"No, that's just from the heat."

"Fuuuuck!"

"They're fine, relax. Once they get some water they'll perk up."

"Your dad likes whiskey, right?" He turned the box to her. It had cost him an arm and a leg.

"Oooh!"

"For your dad." Eddie raised it out of her reach.

"Anything for me?"

"Me."

"Hmph." She went on tiptoe to peek over him. "Is that your suit?"

"Yes."

"Can I see?"

"No."

"Please?"

"You'll see tomorrow."

"Rrrrr!"

"It's a -" Eddie went stock-still. Two more women were walking across the lawn. One probably ten years older than Rosie, and tall. The other was petite and gray, and linked her daughter-in-law's arm as they approached. He almost dropped the whiskey. Rosie carefully exchanged it for the bouquet.

"Eddie; this is my mom, Carol. You talked on the phone." Said Rosie. "And this is my sister-in-law Michelle."

"So good to see you!" Michelle gave him a hug. She was a smiley, bubbly woman, and made him feel at ease.

"Eddie, so this is what you look like!" The old woman pushed Michelle aside to examine him.

"Uh. Yeah."

"Come here, Darlin'!"

He had to bend pretty far into her embrace, but was rewarded with a kiss on the cheek from Rosie's mother. "Rosie he's a doll."

"Thank you?" He'd definitely never been called that before.

She patted his face. "Oh, but Eddie you're boiling out here. Come on!"

Eddie found himself pulled by the arm into the house, his bag hanging off his shoulder. He let it drop, still with the bouquet in his hand. "Th-these are for...for you."

"No!" Rosie's mother put a hand to her chest as she took them, acting like they were the first flowers she'd ever seen. "You're so sweet, Eddie. You didn't need to do that!"

"Didn't want to show up empty handed."

"Can I give you another kiss? You'll have to - I can't jump that high. He's so tall!"

"Everyone's taller than you, Carol." Michelle quipped, not untruthfully. The woman wasn't even five foot.

Eddie bent for another smooch. On the other cheek. He assumed his ears were crimson, by the way Rosie laughed behind her hand.

"Drink, Eddie?" Asked Michelle. "Kitchen's this way."

"Y-yes please."

They led the way, but Rosie held him back.

"Breathe."

"Right."

She checked all directions before pressing her lips to his, then produced a tissue from her pocket and wiped his cheeks clean of lipstick. He felt the weight of expensive whiskey in his arms. "Dad's in the kitchen. You got this."