Page 35 of Jaxson

“Your family is amazing,” she said.

“They adore you,” he said.

Tillie let out a sigh and ran her hand across her forehead. “That is a huge relief.”

He chuckled. “It’s not hard, you’re pretty amazing, you know that?” He pulled her close beneath one of the lampposts. “I know a lot of women are saying some nasty shit behind my back, and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I was a fuckhead before you, but I’m not anymore. Okay, I am with you, one hundred percent.”

Tillie tilted her head back and smiled. “Is this because I was a virgin?”

He groaned. “No, this has nothing to do with that.”

She grabbed his hand and they continued to walk. “I wish you could have met my parents. I mean, my dad would have probably threatened to shoot you with his shotgun, and my mom would have probably threatened you with rat poison.”

“What a charming family,” he said.

She burst out laughing. “Seriously, it was more of a threat that if you ever cheat on me, or break my heart, then that is ... what they would say.” Tillie looked at him and frowned. “Would you like to see them?”

He knew they were gone, had been at their funeral.

“Yes, I would like to.”

They cut off, heading toward the church and the graveyard. It was getting much darker, and the lights cast their glow onto the streets. The church gate was closed, and there was a barrier across the graveyard, but he and Tillie bent down, crawled under it, and were in the graveyard.

“I can’t believe you’re breaking the rules.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not every day you take your boyfriend to go and meet your dead parents,” Tillie said.

She took his hand, and although it was dark, as there were no more streetlights, she knew exactly where she was going, and he was more than happy to follow her, even though they were in a graveyard after dark.

He pulled out his cell phone and pressed for the flashlight, illuminating their path. They only had to walk for another few minutes, and then Tillie came to a stop. Jaxson saw the fresh flowers on the graves of both her parents. Side by side.

“I miss them so much,” Tillie said. “Whenever I had doubts, Mom was always there telling me I could do anything I put my mind to. Dad was the same. Both of them had my back and were in my corner forever.” She wrapped her arms around her waist.

“They would have hated me, wouldn’t they?”

Tillie laughed. “I think at first, they would have thought I was crazy. Choosing you, and us, well, you know, together. But I also think they would have liked you as well.” She held onto his hand. “Mom, Dad, if you were here today, I know you would have a lot to say. Here is Jaxson Riggs, and I know you’re both probably upset.”

“How about I take it from here?” Jaxson asked.

Tillie nodded.

“Mr. and Mrs. Short, I know I probably wouldn’t be your first choice for Tillie. Possibly not even your tenth choice. I’ve not made all the right choices, but I promise you, this is the best choice I have ever made. I will take care of your daughter. Always.”

He looked over to Tillie and saw the tears glistening in her eyes. “They’re happy tears, I promise.”

She started to laugh and moved right into his arms.

****

Several Weeks Later

Tillie was not in the mood to film. She had woken up, had been sick, and was still not feeling her best. She felt so tired, and just a few pieces of toast seemed to suffice, but it hadn’t settled her stomach.

Jaxson was back to work on Cruz’s ranch. In between other emergency calls, like keeping his promise to Carl and dealing with the school, as well as several local businesses, he’d been so busy.