WHEW! I didn't think I'd EVER get this thing updated! I've been traveling for the holidays and just couldn't seem to find the time to finish it in between all the festivities. I'm still remarkably behind in replying to all of your reviews, but I'm determined to catch up this weekend. They all mean so much to me and I just hate that I haven't had a chance to thank you each personally!
And okay, fine. I started reading The Hunger Games and couldn't put it down. Maybe that's all I did the day after Christmas... :) And now, New Year's in Bluebell!
THINGS I OWN: Paula Deen pots and pans. Basically, I'm cooking everything. Thanks, Daddy! THINGS I DON'T OWN: Hart of Dixie.
The Rammer Jammer was quiet, just like it always was during the week between Christmas and New Year's. It was the same all over Bluebell, everyone in a holiday hangover, biding their time for the big New Year's Eve dance. He liked it that way, a slow trickle of people in and out, grabbing a quick bite to eat or maybe having a couple of drinks before continuing on with their day or night. It was the closest thing he got to a vacation most years.
He was taking advantage of the slow week to catch up on things he'd gotten behind on in recent months. Tonight, that was cleaning out and re-arranging behind the bar, something he generally got to just the one time a year. As he polished the water spots off the tumblers that had just came out of the dishwasher, he made a mental list of all the things he wanted to get done in the next few days, both around the bar and around the plantation, figuring in when he might be able to steal off for a few hours to fish in between.
It occurred to him he needed to put plastic over the windows of Zoe's carriage house soon to keep out what little chill Bluebell would see during the winter. The old house was drafty and he figured since Zoe wasn't very big, she'd probably get colder quicker. He absentmindedly pulled out his phone and checked for texts, trying not to feel mildly disappointed when there weren't any. He hadn't heard so much as a peep from Zoe all day and while he wasn't necessarily concerned and understood that she was probably spending time with friends and family she hadn't seen in a while, he did kind of miss hearing from her. If she wasn't in Bluebell, talking to her was the next best thing.
"I'll have a glass of wine," came a familiar voice. Wade whipped his head around so fast, he cricked his neck. "Even if it's out of a box." Zoe Hart was standing on the other side of the bar, wearing her usual leggings, oversized sweater and boots. She looked tired, but all Wade clearly saw was the smile on her face.
"Zoe?" he asked in disbelief, rubbing his now sore neck. "What…? I thought… I was gonna pick you up from the airport in a few days…" Zoe laughed and shook her head.
"Change of plans," she said. Wade nodded, his mind still trying to catch up with his senses telling him Zoe was right there in front of him, that he hadn't heard from her all day likely because she was traveling back to Bluebell.
"Come here," he said, jerking his head towards the end of the bar. He rounded the bar just as she made it to the end and scooped her into a bear hug, lifting her off her feet as her arms wrapped around him. She hugged him tightly, closing her eyes and savoring the feeling of being in his arms, her nose filling with the light cologne he was wearing. She realized in that moment just how much she'd missed him.
"Seriously, what are you doin' here?" he asked, loosening his grip on her, but keeping his arms wrapped around her waist. The few bar patrons continued to eat their meals and drink their drinks, but by morning, their reunion would be the talk of Bluebell. As much as Wade wanted to kiss her, he didn't. They'd already given the town enough to talk about. "I thought you won't comin' back 'til late New Year's Day."
"My friend Gigi decided Times Square on New Year's Eve was too 'been there, done that' and wanted to come experience Bluebell. And so, here we are."
"Gigi… Party planner, right?" Wade asked, recalling details of Zoe's best friend. "Where is she?" He scanned the bar for an unfamiliar face but didn't spy one.
"Passed out across my bed," Zoe admitted. "She wasn't quite prepared for two flights plus the drive from Mobile – even if it was in Lavon's top of the line Navigator instead of a bus like my first trip. It definitely didn't help that Burt Reynolds was hanging out on my porch when Lavon dropped us off."
"I don't know if Bluebell can handle two city slickers," Wade commented. "One fast talkin,' short short wearin' New Yorker might be all this town can handle. It's for sure all I can handle."
"I don't know if Gigi can handle Bluebell," Zoe admitted. She reached out and absentmindedly played with Wade's necklace. "She's more 'city' than me. And her shorts? Even shorter." Wade raised an eyebrow.
"More city than you?" he asked. "I ain't sure that's possible." Zoe laughed. Wade squeezed her one more time and then let her go. "Still want that wine?"
"Please," Zoe confirmed. She took a seat on her usual barstool while Wade poured her a glass of wine. He picked up his rag and resumed drying glasses.
"So how was New York?" he asked.
"It was great," Zoe answered honestly. "My mom and I had a pleasant, drama-free Christmas, I caught up with friends, did some shopping… nothing to complain about, really."
"How was being back around the noise?" Wade asked, recalling how Zoe had told him on Thanksgiving she missed the noise of New York the most. He watched as she frowned ever so slightly.
"It was… Noisy," she said truthfully. "It kept me up. All the sirens and horns. I don't remember it being that loud. Maybe it was just even more traffic than usual because of the holidays and all."
"Or maybe these quiet Bluebell nights are growin' on you," Wade mused. Zoe didn't reply. She couldn't bring herself to give him the satisfaction of being right. She wasn't quite able to admit to herself that there was something almost soothing about the quiet Southern nights that were now her norm.
"How was your Christmas?" Zoe asked, turning the tables on him. He shrugged as he continued to dry glass after glass and line them up in neat rows on the bar.
"Not bad," he confessed. "My sister won't as bad as I thought she'd be. It was good to spend some time with Mac and Jake. Even if I did have to watch some show about superhero pets five hundred times. I guess I can't complain."
"Was your dad there?" Zoe asked. She had wondered where Earl had spent Christmas, how he fit into the equation with Wade, Meredith and his drinking problem.
"Nah," Wade answered, shaking his head. "It might not seem possible, but he drinks even more at Christmastime. We just let him to it. He ain't gonna put the bottle down and Meredith's kids don't need to be around him like that." Zoe wasn't sure how to reply so she reached across the bar, caught his hand, and squeezed it to let him know she was on his side. He gave her a small smile and started moving the glasses back onto the rack they belonged on until the next customer came along.
Zoe busied herself with her wine, sneaking looks at Wade. She wanted to ask him about the Rammer Jammer, learn how his name ended up on the deed and why she didn't know he owned it. She watched as he greeted a man she recognized by face only and fixed him a drink. He returned to her and his glasses, giving her a grin that made his eyes sparkle.
"You know, I sure am glad to see you," he admitted. "It was weird, goin' all that time without having to put in a new fuse."
"It was weird being able to plug in my curling iron and hair dryer at the same time," she retorted. Wade laughed lightly as Zoe swirled her wine around in her glass. She looked up at him, but his back was to her. "Hey Wade?" He turned back to her. "Can I ask you something? It um, might be a little weird." Wade grinned.
"Weird?" he asked. "Or kinky? 'Cause I could be into that." Zoe gave him a look that told him to be serious. "You can ask me anything," he told her sincerely. Zoe took a deep breath.
"Do you own the Rammer Jammer?" she asked, getting right to the point. Wade looked surprised at her question.
"Yeah," he said in a tone that told her it was the most obvious thing in the world. "It's all mine. Bar flies, mouthy waitresses, and all."
"Seriously?" Zoe asked. Even though her mother had insisted it was his, even though Lavon had confirmed it when he'd picked her and Gigi up from the airport earlier, hearing Wade confirm it made it so. "How did I not know that?" Wade frowned.
"You didn't know this was my place?" he asked. Zoe shook her head.
"No idea," she said. "My mom was telling Gigi about the po'boy she had here and it came up that you were the owner." She figured Wade didn't need to know the real reason he was the topic of conversation - because Gigi couldn't believe her mother approved of Zoe dating a bartender.
"You had no idea?" Wade asked again, finding it hard to believe.
"None," Zoe confirmed.
"Huh," Wade said. He put the last glass on the rack and leaned on the bar in front of Zoe. "I figured you did."
"I can't believe you never mentioned it," Zoe told him. Wade shrugged.
"Didn't think I had to," he said. "Everyone around these parts knows this is my bar. I figured someone filled you in along the way." Wade looked at her, a thought crossing his mind. "You ain't mad, are you?" he asked. "'Cause it won't like I was tryin' to keep it from you. I just reckoned you knew like everyone else." He was strongly reminded in that moment why he was no good at relationships.
"No," Zoe said, shaking her head. "I'm not mad. I'm just – surprised, I guess. I don't know."
"I reckon I don't come off as the business type, huh?" Wade said. Zoe realized she may have offended him and quickly started to back pedal.
"That's not what I mean," she said quickly. "It's just… I mean… I thought that…" Wade leaned over the bar and kissed her quickly to shut her up.
"Hush, girl," he said when he pulled away. "You're talkin' in circles." Zoe looked guilty.
"I didn't mean it the way it sounded," she told him.
"I get it," Wade said, because he did. "I've got myself a reputation for not bein' the most responsible guy around town. If I'm bein' honest, this place is probably the one thing I've ever taken seriously." He made sure he looked Zoe square in the eye so she'd know he was referring to her with his next statement. "At least until recently."
"Well I do have to give you credit on your wine selection," Zoe said, holding up her glass before taking another sip. "This is definitely not out of a box."
"That's from the VIP stock," Wade told her seriously. "See, this demanding Yankee moved to town and she likes her wine a whole lot. Seems it's her…"
"If you say 'slutty Achilles' heel,' I'm going to dump this on you," Zoe threatened him. Wade just laughed.
"Listen, I've got some stuff to finish up in back – pay roll, next week's schedule. How 'bout you stick around? It won't take me long. Then I'll drive us home." Zoe nodded.
"Gigi's down for the night anyway," she said. "She'll never know if I'm there or not."
Wade jerked his head for her to follow him. "Bring that glass of VIP wine and you can keep me company." He told the only other employee working the slow night where he'd be then led Zoe through a door behind the bar marked 'Employees Only' and into a small, cluttered office by the kitchen. "Have a seat," he said as he moved a jacket off the one extra chair in the room. Zoe did so while Wade settled in behind the old wooden desk and reached for a sheath of paper.
Zoe decided the experience could only be classified as weird. She hadn't thought Wade was completely irresponsible, exactly, seeing as he went to work every day, took care of his father, and kept the plantation in tip-top shape. But she knew he also liked to have a good time and somehow, seeing him bent over a piece of paper, penciling in names and working numbers, seemed out of place.
"How long have you owned this place?" she asked.
"It's been the Rammer Jammer for five, six years now," he answered, not looking up. "But remember how I said I learned to cook hangin' in the kitchen with my momma?" He glanced up at Zoe in time to see her nod. "Well, it won't the kitchen at home. It was the one right outside the door, there." Zoe took a moment to process what he'd just said.
"So this was your mom's place?" she asked. Wade nodded.
"She bought it when I was a kid, maybe four or five. She tried the whole stay at home mom thing, but she missed workin.' She called it 'The Front Porch' and served up southern cookin' like you wouldn't believe. Other than me and my sister, it was her pride and joy. Remember Mrs. H? She was momma's best friend. Momma asked her to take over the place when she got sick, keep it runnin' at least until Meredith or me was old enough to take over, if we wanted to."
"I'm guessing Meredith didn't want to?" Zoe asked. She'd only met Wade's sister once and it was brief at that, but she didn't seem like the type to spend day after day frying anything that would fit into a pan of batter.
"She tried," Wade answered. "She went off to college, came back here after she graduated to take the place off Mrs. H's hands. But she'd met Eric while she was at school and she never really wanted to take over to begin with. So, long story short, I stepped up. 'Bout ran it into the ground, tryin' to keep it the way Momma had it. I just didn't have her knack for it. I was thinkin' of puttin' it up for sale when the only bar in town closed down. I got a crazy idea to make the place a bar and it was just crazy enough to work, I guess."
Zoe listened intently as Wade told her the story behind the Rammer Jammer, her knees pulled up to her chest in the chair as she sipped her wine. Not for the first time, she was struck by how hard Wade's life must have been.
"You're pretty incredible, you know that?" she told him, blurting out what was on her mind. Wade looked at her as he shuffled through his papers. She could tell he had no idea what she was talking about. "You've had a lot of curve balls thrown at you, but you've managed to come out on the other side." Wade's smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"That's just life, Doc," he said. "Nothin' special." Zoe shook her head in disagreement, but didn't continue. She knew he was too proud, too modest, to admit he'd done all right. Her phone rang out and Gigi's name flashed on the screen.
"Hey," she said, answering. Wade continued working on his papers, wondering again how he'd ended up lucky enough to have Zoe spend time with him as he listened in to her side of the conversation. It sounded like Gigi had had another encounter with Bluebell's wildlife population.
"Thought she was sleep," he commented when Zoe finally hung up.
"She was," Zoe confirmed. "It seems those mouse traps you set before I left aren't working. She woke up and a mouse – or according to her, a giant man-eating mutant of a rat – was sitting on the nightstand watching her." Wade had to struggle to keep from laughing out right.
"You know what's wrong with those traps?" he asked. "Someone threw a fit over the first ones I bought, said they didn't want to kill the mouse, just get it out of her house."
"It's mean to kill it," Zoe protested.
"Fine. Let it run around your place, havin' babies and makin' nests in your fancy shoes." Zoe rolled her eyes.
"It's not doing either of those things," she stated.
"How do you know? You ain't been home for a week. Have you even opened up your closet yet? You could have a whole litter of mouse babies living in those sparkly high heels of yours." Zoe frowned, thinking. Wade had a point. And she wasn't exactly fond of the mouse droppings she happened upon every once in a while.
"Fine," she said. "Set whatever trap you want. But I need to get going. Gigi's about to have a stroke." She stood to leave, not really wanting to leave Wade's company just yet, nor walk back home after he'd offered her a ride.
"I'm done here," he said, signing one last paper that would ensure his employees got paid on time. "Randy can handle closing." He stood and picked up his jacket. "Let's go hunt us down a mouse."
He whistled as he worked, cutting, fitting and nailing plastic to Zoe's windows in a sort of rhythmic pattern. He'd do his house when he was done and then head up to the main house, get some lunch, maybe play a few video games before heading to the Rammer Jammer for the evening. It really wasn't a bad day, all and all.
"What are you doing?" Wade stopped mid-whistle and turned to face Zoe's blond friend he'd met the evening before.
"Well look at that," he said. "You won't eatin' alive by a giant mouse overnight after all." It had been quite the scene when he and Zoe had pulled up to her place. Gigi had been sitting outside, refusing to go back in until the place was eradicated of all mice. Wade had attempted to find the offending creature while Zoe had tried to calm Gigi down, but he'd turned up empty handed as had the traps he'd set overnight. It had taken a lot of coaxing to get Gigi back inside when no mouse was found.
"I don't do rodents," Gigi retorted, her nose turned up slightly. "Seriously, what are you doing? Covering the house in saran wrap?"
"I'm puttin' plastic over the windows," he answered, turning to go back to his work.
"I can see that. What I want to know is why?"
"It don't get too cold for too long down here, but these old houses are drafty. Plastic helps keep the cold out," he told her.
"Why can't you like, just turn up the heat?" Gigi asked, raising an eyebrow. Wade could practically hear her say 'duh' at the end of her sentence. He refrained from audibly sighing and rolled his eyes before looking over his shoulder at her. Zoe really hadn't been kidding that Gigi was even more 'city' than her.
"Because there ain't none," Wade told her. "Least not the kind you city folk are used to. These old houses use wood heat."
"You mean Zoe would have to build a fire if she got cold?" Gigi asked. She sounded appalled. Wade shook his head.
"Zoe ain't figured out how to change a fuse yet. The last thing me or Lavon are gonna let her do is build her own fire. She's got a good space heater in there that'll knock the chill off and if it does get cold enough for her to need a fire, I'll come build one for her." That seemed to appease Gigi so he went back to work, aware that she was still watching him. "Where is Zoe anyhow?" he asked.
"Went into town to check up on a patient, something about her not taking antibiotics like she should or something," Gigi answered dismissively. She crossed her arms, continuing to watch Wade as he nailed plastic to her best friend's windows in the name of keeping her warm. It was one of the more ridiculous things she'd ever seen.
"You need something?" Wade finally asked. It wasn't so much that Gigi was bothering him. It was that she wasn't doing much of anything except standing there. Zoe would have at least maintained a running commentary about the lack of what she deemed proper heating.
"She's my best friend," Gigi replied. Wade raised an eyebrow.
"Zoe?" he asked. Gigi nodded, her face serious. "The way she tells it, you two been best friends since you were kids."
"Since we were in second grade and I told her I liked her dress," Gigi confirmed. "She thanked me and said she liked my headband. We've been best friends ever since."
"Dresses and headbands. The ties that bind," Wade commented.
"She's my best friend," Gigi said again, a certain sternness in her voice. "And she likes you." Wade looked at Gigi. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. "I mean she really likes you. I haven't heard her talk about a guy the way she talks about you – ever. Not even Paul and she dated him for 6 years. You better not be stringing her along."
"Stringin' her along?" Wade asked. "I ain't stringin' her along."
"You sure about that?" Gigi challenged. "You told her six weeks ago you were going to ask her on a date and so far, all she's gotten are a few kisses and a lot of text messages. I know about your reputation. Zoe seems to think you've changed, but I'm not so quick to trust that. A guy will say anything to get the girl. At least to get her long enough for him to get what he wants."
Wade knew he didn't have much choice but to be honest with Gigi. As Zoe's best friend, she was obligated to tell Zoe everything he said. He didn't know much about women, but he knew how they were when it came to their closest friends. His sister had been thick as thieves with Lemon Breeland since they were toddlers. They two told one another everything, the good, the bad and the ugly. He had no doubt that Zoe and Gigi were the same way.
"Zoe ain't just some girl," he told Gigi. "I been chasin' after her since she got here and I'll admit, first it was 'cause I thought she was hot and I wanted in her pants. But she's more than that. A whole lot more than that. And I reckon where y'all come from, if a guy wants a girl, he goes after her. But down here, it's different. We're gentlemen. And if a gentleman likes a girl, he makes sure he goes about courtin' her properly. When I told Zoe I was gonna ask her on a date, I meant it. But I won't gonna ask her just after she found out the guy she was datin' was a drug dealer and her life was in danger and I damn sure won't gonna ask her over the phone while she was in New York. So to answer your question, no, I'm not stringin' her along."
Gigi studied Wade for a long moment, impressed by his speech. She couldn't really find fault in the guy and she had certainly done her best. He did seem like he genuinely cared about Zoe and for now, that would have to be enough.
"Well, you do seem to take care of her," she said, indicating the plastic. "I'm just going to say this. She's my best friend. And if you hurt her, in any way, I'll break you."
"I'll keep that in mind," Wade said with a grin. Secretly though, he was sure the blond could do some damage if she really wanted to, maybe not by her own manicured hands but likely by the hands of someone she talked into doing her dirty work.
"So I'm going to go and…" Gigi paused. "Well, I don't know what I'm going to go and do to tell the truth. Read a book and watch grass grow, I guess." Wade went back to work and was just picking up his tools to head over to his house when he heard a snap, a squeal, and an ear splitting shriek. He grinned. The mouse had been found.
"We are so not in New York anymore," Gigi commented, standing beside Zoe as she surveyed the Bluebell community center which was draped in tacky New Year's Eve decorations. Zoe grinned. She was used to Bluebell's over the top celebrations by now and therefore not at all surprised by the sheer volume of streamers, banners and noisemakers being used to welcome a new year.
"You saw the Christmas decorations before they came down yesterday. What were you expecting?" she asked Gigi. As if on cue, a country band started up, jumping right into a song that Zoe thought was about the devil going to Georgia. Several people were already on the dance floor, stopping their feet in a sort of dance that matched the rhythm of the song.
"Dear God. I'm in Deliverance," Gigi stated, putting her hands on her hips. Zoe laughed. She was enjoying watching Gigi's reactions to Bluebell. She wondered if she was nearly that bad when she first came to town and decided she probably had been – and still probably was on occasion.
"At least it's warm," Zoe offered.
"True," Gigi conceded. "People can at least see my dress seeing as I have absolutely no need for a coat." Zoe was sure people would have seen Gigi's revealing dress regardless of the weather. She had opted for the same black dress she'd worn the night she'd nearly given in to the heat wave but Gigi's sequined-covered number was sparkly enough to be mistaken for the Times Square ball.
"Dr. Hart! Not in New York?" Dash DeWitt lumbered up, looking as dapper as ever in a fedora and deep purple suit. Zoe stepped on Gigi's foot to keep the surely offensive statement forming on her lips at bay. She'd spent half of her visit tweeting about the fashion violations she'd found in Bluebell. A snarky comment and covert photo of Dash would be sent to her followers the very moment Gigi got a chance.
"Not this year," Zoe said politely. "Dash, this is my best friend, Gigi. Gigi, this is Dash DeWitt. He's the drama teacher over at the high school. He takes his students to New York every year to see several plays on Broadway."
"Only my advance drama students," Dash corrected, reaching for Gigi's hand. He kissed the back of it with a flourish. "They're the ones who know how to truly appreciate the beauty of Broadway."
"How nice," Gigi mustered, keeping the fakest of polite smiles on her face as she took back her hand and fought the urge to wipe it off on her dress. Zoe gave her a covert thumbs up for her good behavior. The band ended their fiddle-heavy song about the devil and promptly broke into "Sweet Home Alabama." There was a collective shout and people jumped to their feet and headed to the dance floor.
"Let's show some respect!" Dash said, sweeping his hat off his head and heading for the dance floor.
"I'm getting a drink," Gigi muttered, already heading for the makeshift bar. "And some hand sanitizer." Zoe laughed and crossed her arms, watching the people of Bluebell dance and sing along to the chorus.
"So how does it compare?" Wade asked, coming up behind her. Zoe turned and for a moment, forgot he'd just asked her a question. She'd only seen Wade dressed this nicely once before and that was Thanksgiving dinner. Wearing dark washed jeans, a crisp white button down and shiny black boots, she had never seen him look so good. "Doc?" he prompted, grinning. "See somethin' you like?" Zoe shook her head as if to bring herself to her senses.
"You look really nice," she told him, hoping she didn't sound as lame as she thought she did. He grinned.
"Well I knew you'd show up looking as good as you do right now, so I decided I'd step it up."
"Thanks," Zoe said. "For the compliment, I mean. And for the record, it doesn't compare. But in a good way."
"What do you mean?"
"It's not freezing, for one thing. You have no idea how nice that is. Plus I can look around the room and know pretty much everyone here, even if it's just recognizing their face – I'm not just one of millions and millions of faces. Spending New Year's Eve anywhere in New York City is electrifying, but this is great in its own way too." They traded a smile.
"Come dance with me," Wade said, reaching for her hand. Zoe let him take it, but didn't move. "Come on, girl!" he said, tugging her hand slightly. Zoe bit her lip, deciding if she wanted to step on the dance floor and risk making a fool of herself. She was a good dancer, but that was when club music was pounding through speakers. She didn't know if she could handle Lynyrd Skynyrd. "Come on," Wade said again, tugging on her hand a little harder. He winked at her, sensing her discomfort. Zoe took a deep breath.
"Lead the way," she said, allowing Wade to drag her onto the dance floor.
Hours later, Zoe had fallen into a folding chair, pulled her shoes off, and was trying to catch her breath. She'd danced nearly the entire night, usually with Wade but Lavon, Dash, Tom, Gigi and Rose had all been her dance partner a time or two that night. She looked around the room, trying to find Wade. He'd disappeared on her nearly an hour ago when Tom had twirled her away from him as a new song had started. She laughed when she spied Gigi, dancing wildly with both Dash and Tom, her high heels in one hand, her drink in the other. She'd put her iPhone away and resigned herself to having a good time a couple hours earlier although Zoe knew the amount of alcohol she'd consumed was definitely encouraging her.
"Taking a breather?" Lavon asked, dropping into a seat next to her.
"Yeah," Zoe confessed. "My legs are about to fall off."
"You look like you're having fun," he commented. Zoe smiled.
"I am," she admitted. "Where's Didi?"
"She's still dancing up a storm," Lavon said, nodding towards the dance floor where Didi was dancing with an older man Zoe recognized as the owner of hardware store. "You ain't the only one who needed to rest your dogs for a minute though."
"Have you seen Wade?" Zoe asked. "He disappeared like an hour ago."
"Oh he's around," Lavon answered with a knowing grin. "I expect he'll be turning up any time now." Zoe frowned.
"What…?"
"There he is now," Lavon cut her off and nodded at the door as Wade walked through it. He made straight for Zoe.
"Come with me," he said, holding his hand out.
"Where?" Zoe asked.
"Just trust me."
"But it's nearly midnight." She glanced at the digital clock counting down to the New Year. They were only 10 minutes away.
"I know," Wade said, his hand still offered for her to take. "Which is why you need to come now."
"Go with the boy, Big Z," Lavon said. "Trust me on this."
"You gotta listen to the Mayor," Wade said. The twinkle of excitement in his eye made her agree. She slipped her shoes back on, stood and took his hand. He led her outside.
"Where are we going?" she asked. Wade didn't answer as he led her down the street. It didn't take her long to figure out they were heading towards the Rammer Jammer. Wade led the way inside, but didn't bother to turn on a light.
"Watch your step," he said as he led her through the back, past his office and through a narrow door that led up a narrow set of stairs. He opened a door at the top of the stairs and gently pushed Zoe through it. They were on the roof of the Rammer Jammer.
"What are we…?" she asked, turning to face Wade. He was bent over, messing with something she couldn't see in the darkness. She gasped when a bright ball of light appeared overhead. "What…?" she breathed, looking at Wade. His smile was as bright as the lights as he walked towards her.
"Ain't the Times Square ball exactly, but I reckon it's pretty good for Bluebell," he told her, glancing up at the ball he'd constructed out of chicken wire and white Christmas lights. Zoe looked at him.
"You did this?" she asked.
"I figured if you won't gonna be in New York for New Year's, maybe I could try to bring a little of it here somehow," Wade said almost sheepishly as he tucked his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "You're gonna have to forgive me for not bringing Gigi along for it though." Zoe shook her head, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She wasn't the kind of girl who cried at the drop of a hat, but she couldn't stop herself right then.
"No one has ever done anything like this for me," she said, reaching up to wipe away a tear. It was overwhelming, that someone cared enough about her to go through the trouble Wade had. Even as a child, while she'd known she was loved, her parents had never gone out of their way to create something special, whether for no reason or as a holiday tradition. That wasn't the way things were in Bluebell though. That wasn't the way things were with Wade.
"Can't really say I've ever done anything like this for someone," Wade admitted. He noticed the tears in her eyes. "Hey, don't do that," he said, reaching for her. She went to him and felt his arms wrap around her as he brought her close to his chest.
"Thank you for doing this for me," she said, pulling away just enough to look up at him after several long moments had passed. "It's amazing."
"It's just a ball of wire with some lights on it," Wade said modestly. Zoe shook her head.
"It's not," she said simply. She knew Wade would understand.
The faint music from the community center floated up to them as they stood under the light. The lake was visible in the distance, a few lights from the even fewer homes twinkling against the night sky. The air was cool and Zoe was almost chilly but she couldn't imagine herself anywhere else at that moment.
"Me and Gigi had us a little talk yesterday," Wade said, his arms still around Zoe. She looked suspicious.
"About what?"
"She wanted to make sure I won't leadin' you on.'"
"I'll kill her," Zoe announced. Wade shook his head.
"She cares about you," he said. "You'd do the same thing for her if the roles were reversed." A small, guilty smile played at Zoe's lips. "I assured her I was not. But then I got to thinkin' and realized that maybe you thought I might be." Zoe looked up at him, her hands resting on his arms.
"I was going to give you another week or so," she confessed. "Then it might have come up." Wade chuckled.
"What are you doin' Saturday?" he asked.
"I'm not even on call," Zoe said by way of an answer.
"Good. I'll be pickin' you up at 3:00 for our date," Wade told her. It was still a week away, but he needed some daylight and with Zoe's schedule at the clinic, that wouldn't happen during the week.
"So you're telling me I'm going on a date with you?" Zoe teased. "I thought you Southerners were gentlemen."
"We are," Wade confirmed. "But sometimes a girl comes along that knows how to push all our buttons and you just have to take matters into your own hands." He pulled her closer.
"Good thing I'd have said yes then, huh?" Zoe replied. The music floating back to them stopped. The lead singer was saying something, but his voice was too far away for them to make out the words.
"I reckon it is," Wade replied with a grin, leaning towards her. Zoe pulled him closer. They crowd gathered in the community center started counting backwards from 10. Zoe went up on her tiptoes, her lips nearly on Wade's. "Wait," Wade whispered, his arms tightening around her and pulling her even closer. Zoe caught on to what he was doing and closed her eyes, waiting.
"7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2…"
As the community center reached 1 and shouted greetings to the New Year, Wade closed the remaining distance between them and their lips met for a long, deep kiss.
"Happy New Year, Zoe," Wade whispered. Zoe barely had time to whisper it back before she was kissing him again.
Can anyone guess the movie I borrowed one of Dash's lines from? It's one of my favorite movies ever!
Look at Wade, being all sweet and somewhat awkward. Next chapter, they go on their date! I've been waiting for this one. Since I'm so far behind in replying to your reviews, here's a little hint. Listen to Jason Aldean's "Country Boy's World." That'll give you a really good idea of how their date's going to go!
Thanks for reading and reviewing!