Page 44 of Raised On It

He told me I looked beautiful, and when I asked where we were going, he said my real date was waiting for him at his place. I had no idea what in the world he was talking about, but it turns out, we were both dressed up to have dinner at his house.

Before I was even out of the car, Lou was next to my door, waiting to greet me, and it was then I realized this was the date Miles was referring to. Lou had on the cutest little plaid bow tie, and I was proud to call him my date for the evening. Miles and Lou are two of the sweetest boys I’ve ever met.

His house was newer, on a beautiful piece of land with the nearest neighbors out of shouting distance. It wasn’t too big, but it was designed to perfection from the landscaping out front to the gray paint color and white shiplap on the walls.

The dining room looked like it had never been used, but this evening, it was adorned with a larger bouquet of the same flowers hegave me when he picked me up, as well as a meal that had to have taken all day to prepare.

When I questioned him about how he possibly had time to do all of this, he admitted Amelia had been his accomplice, and that she left right before we got there.

Dinner was great, and as always, he was a complete gentleman, but it was clear he was exhausted. When he asked if I wanted a second glass of wine, I told him what a great time I had, but that I thought he should take me home so he could get some rest.

I don’t think an early evening was in his plans, but he didn’t fight my suggestion. He’s clearly been burning the candle at both ends.

Tonight when he dropped me off, he gave me his usual peck on the cheek I’ve come to expect, and then he asked me if he could have me all day Saturday. He’s taking the weekend off, and he’d like to spend it with me.

There isn’t anything else I can think of that would make me happier was my reply. His tired eyes lit up, and he told me to dress casually and hoped I had sweet dreams.

Not sure how my dreams could be any sweeter than my real life unless they included Miles with his clothes off.

Now, that would be some sweet, sweet dreaming.

CHAPTER 14

Mason

Dear Journal,

Miles had warnedme last night that today would be especially busy and that the only break in his schedule was his standing third Friday of the month haircut at Mel’s Barber Shop. But more importantly he said after seeing me every day this week, there was no way he could go an entire day without doing so.

He swung by to pick me up, and he took me with him to get his haircut. Yes, you read that right. He wanted to see me so badly he picked me up just to go get his haircut with him.

According to Miles, no tour of Eastlyn was complete without a trip to Mel’s anyway.

I kind of wish I had nevergone to Mel’s.

Because then I wouldn’t have been sure this was more than lust and that I was actually falling in love with my tour guide.

Not only him, but the whole damn town.

Journal, I know it makes no sense that a trip to the barbershop would be the catalyst for such a declaration, but it’s true.

I’ll never forget the scent of spicy cologne, the low buzz of the clippers, and the dust particles floating through the beam of sunlight piercing through the shop for as long as I live.

The mutual respect and friendship Mel and the other retired old-timers at the shop had for one another was incredibly endearing. Not to mention the hysterical stories. Stories that may have only been half true but who cares when they’re about Miles in his youth.

There is no doubt Miles, Montgomery Farms, and his entire family are a big piece of the heart and soul of this community. There are pictures of Miles and the farm on the wall as well as the team photo from the years when his high school baseball team won the state title. And of course, an EBC sign in the middle of it all.

This tiny barbershop sitting smack dab in the middle of Main Street is a living museum of all of the things that make Eastlyn well, Eastlyn. Nobody talked about the pictures on the wall or bragged on Miles. The men in the shop just went about their day and continued arguing over who the Trail Blazers should have drafted a couple of months ago.

While I was spinning in the empty chair next to Miles, giggling at the entertainment Mel and the other Eastlyners were providing, the bell above the door rang and in walked Miles twenty-five years from now. Mitch Montgomery may have a couple of inches and a few pounds on his son, but they are a matching set otherwise.

Mitch’s presence filled the small shop instantly. Once he joined the conversation, my pulse began to pound in my ears the moment it hit me. I was falling for a man I could never be with. Forget the fact I had vowed to never fall for a man like him again because this is the least of my worries. The real problem is that as great as he may be, I am still a city mouse who is only here for a short time, and it’s clear that nothingand no one could ever take Miles Montgomery away from here. And frankly, who would want to?

Journal, I am tumbling ass over teakettle downhill at top speed for this man. I know it’s gonna hurt, and I know he’s the kind of man who will ruin me for all men to come after him, but I feel helpless to fight the pull of him.

Instead of fighting it, I’m going to soak up these hot summer days as long as he keeps asking me to. Whether it be thirty minutes in a barbershop or watching the sunrise over his farm. Whatever little bit he can give me, I will greedily take because Miles Montgomery is everything, and you don’t walk away from everything.

At least not until you walk down the jetway to the plane that will take you away from him. And that’s still nine weeks away.

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