Rural Romance by Alexa Riley
Chapter Seven
Epilogue Shelly
Ten years later…
“Mrs. Holland, your son Jacob was caught fighting at recess today, and it’s protocol that we contact the parents.”
“Melinda, are you sure?” I eye the principal skeptically because this is not like my Jacob. Now Ryan, yes, I could see him doing this, but I peeked into his second grade class on my way into the school and he was doing just fine. Jacob, on the other hand, is my angel. “Jacob would never physically hurt another child. That’s not him at all.”
“That’s another reason I asked you to come in instead of just a phone call.” She waves me to come over to the window, and I follow her over to it. “We’ve separated the boys, but Lisa Larson has been by Jacob’s side since the incident.” She looks over at me and presses her lips together. “I think it might have been because of her.”
Outside the window, Jacob is sitting on a bench. Next to him is Lisa, and she’s holding his hand. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but they’re whispering to each other.
“That’s his best friend,” I say and shrug. “If anyone was messing with her, that’s probably why he got in the fight.”
“If you don’t mind talking to him, I’d appreciate it,” Melinda says, and I know she’s just doing her job.
“Will do.” I nod and exit her office.
When I walk outside, I go over to the bench where the two of them are sitting. “Hey buddy, you okay?”
“Yeah,” he says solemnly.
Lisa looks up at me and smiles softly. “Hey, Mrs. Holland.” She stands and gives me a hug. “Don’t be mad at Jacob, it’s not his fault. Adrian Stow called me fat, and Jacob punched him in the mouth.”
“Good boy,” I hear from behind me and turn around to see my husband.
“Westley.” I raise an eyebrow but try to hide my smile.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says and comes over to kiss my cheek.
“Why don’t we give them a minute?” I say to Lisa as I take her hand and walk toward the big oak tree. “Are you okay?” I ask her and she nods.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Adrian was just trying to get under his skin. Besides, even if he thinks I’m fat, who cares? He’s a jerk.”
“You’re not wrong,” I say, trying my best not to talk shit on a little kid.
“Jacob is just so easy to rile up when it comes to me.” She sighs, and there’s still so much concern in her eyes.
“That’s because you’re his best friend.” I squeeze her hand, and she nods. “I know how you feel, Lisa. You want to protect Jacob because you care about him. That’s what you do for people that are important to you.”
“Mrs. Holland, I love him,” she says, and my heart melts.
“I know, baby. And he loves you too.” Some people might think they are too young to talk like this, but in my heart, I know that Jacob is just like his father. There’s a sweet, quiet way about him, but once his mind is made up, that’s it. When these Holland boys find love, they fall hard, and I can see that Jacob is going to follow in Westley’s footsteps.
“All right, kids, let’s go back to class,” Melinda says, and I turn around to see Westley standing up and Jacob looking much happier.
“Bye, Mrs. Holland,” Lisa says as she gives me one more quick hug and goes back into the building with Jacob. He smiles at me and waves as Melinda ushers them back to class.
“What did you say to him?” I purse my lips and put my hands on my hips.
Westley smiles as he wraps his arms around me and kisses me on the tip of my nose. “That next time he needs to punch the kid behind the bleachers so he doesn’t get caught.”
“Westley!” I slap his chest, and he kisses my lips. “You are going to get us kicked off campus.” I glance around, making sure no one can see us.
“He’s foolish about that girl,” he says, and I can see the soft look in his eyes.
“Sounds like you speak from experience.”
“You mean that I’d do anything for the woman I love?” He cups my face, all teasing aside. “Yeah, that’s my experience. I wish I would have been lucky enough to have met you at ten. I’d give anything to love you longer.”
“If my tubes weren’t tied, I’d be pregnant from that statement alone.” I smile up at him, and he kisses me quickly.
Then I squeal loudly as he tosses me over his shoulder and marches toward the parking lot. “Let’s go home and test out those knots.”
“Westley!” I shout and slap his ass.
He smacks my ass right back as he stomps down the sidewalk. Pink Springs should be used to his antics by now, but I don’t think I’ll ever be. All this time and it still feels like we just fell in love. This is the happily ever after I always dreamed of.
