Page 31 of Beauden & Yelena

He honks the horn and a young man appears at the gate. He unhooks something then pulls the gate inward, opening it. Beauden slowly drives through and when I look back, I see the young man close the fence.

My curiosity is through the roof. We clearly are not in town and nothing about this screams a restaurant. When we pull onto a stone-paved road, I finally speak. “Where are we?”

“I thought you read the sign.”

“I did but what is the R&E Ranch?”

“My parents’ place.”

My entire heart stops.

“Your parents?” I’m totally flabbergasted. “Are you being serious?”

“Yes. Richard and Eden Phox live here. R and E.”

The stone-paved road turns into a long driveway and we follow it to a beautiful, two-story, beige home with dark brown accents and trimmings. There’s a huge porch with four large, old-fashioned rocking chairs out front.

“Do they know I’m coming? I don’t like interfering with family things.”

After shifting the car into park, he kills the engine then turns to face me. “It’s my family and you said we don’t know each other. So, here’s your chance to see more of me.” He leans over then gently grabs my chin. After pulling me to him, he kisses me passionately. “Don’t sweat this, beautiful. I told my mom I was bringing a guest,” he adds before giving me a final peck. “Every year for Christmas Eve, we have brunch together before going to Jubilee. For her, the more people, the better.”

“Then I guess it’s cool,” I mumble through my nerves.

Once he exits his side, he treks over to me. When he opens my door, another big truck pulls up behind us. As soon as my feet hit the driveway, a male voice says, “What up, Beau? You brought her.” The man chuckles a little and I look back to see him walking toward us. He’s wrapped around a pretty girl who’s smiling as they walk. “Nigga, you actually brought her.”

“Yelena, this is my brother, Kit,” Beauden says.

“Breaudie,” he corrects as he releases the girl. “What’s up, sis.” He pulls me into a hug. He’s handsome like Beauden but they look nothing alike. I would have never guessed they are brothers. ‘This is Victoria,” he says and the girl smiles.

“Tori.” She extends her hand.

“Yelena.” We shake hands. “Merry Christmas Eve.”

“Same to you.”

Beauden extends his hand to her and they shake too. We all walk onto the porch and Beauden opens the door. I let Tory walk in first because she seems to be more at ease than me. I follow her then Beauden and his brother enter.

The first room is a large family room. It’s warm and cozy inside. I get an instant homely vibe and my little nervousness fades. There are also some delicious aromas permeating the air.

“Momma must have burned. It smells good as hell in here,” Breaudie says, then walks off. Tori’s hand is latched with his so he drags her out of the family room with him.

“It’s beautiful in here,” I comment as I scan the room. The large sectional, oversized plush chairs, blue accents, and modern décor are gorgeous. The giant Christmas tree decorated with large blue bulbs and white bows is perfect next to the marble fireplace. There are also three gigantic blue and white presents stacked on the other side of it.

“My mom loves decorating.”

“I can tell. Every detail is gorgeous.”

He places his hand on the small of my back then leads me through the room. We walk into a smaller living room and an older version of Beauden is standing in front of a small bar. His height, build, and dark chocolate skin all match Beauden. His salt and pepper hair and beard are the only differences.

“Did you come with Kit?” he asks when he looks up.

“We pulled up at the same time. But don’t you think it’s too early to be at the bar, Pops?” I can hear the lightness in his tone as he questions his father.

“It’s Christmas Eve and Jubilee; I’m going to enjoy my bourbon eggnog,” he huffs as he looks at me. “Welcome to the R&E, Yelana,” he says with a smile. Although he slightly mispronounced my name; I didn’t correct him. I’m too shocked that he even knows it.

He told his dad about me.

“Thank you, Mr. Phox.”

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