River's End: River on Fire Part 12

Hailey came up and stood close to Joey without touching him. When she barely brushed her shoulder against his, he didn't turn towards her, but immediately clasped her hand in his and pulled her closer to his side. He felt her stiffening as he kissed the top of her head. "What were you contemplating? You looked pretty serious," she asked.

He smiled sheepishly. "Just thinking about how much the family unit has changed. And with a sense of sadness and nostalgia, you know? Remembering bygone eras and all that. Yet it had to become part of the past and history. We are all getting too old; we have to change and expand in order to flourish. But for a time, it was just us, four brothers and my two nephews, who were also more like my brothers, to be honest. It was just us and this ranch, our happy refuge against the world. This ranch... the center of all of our lives. Our common denominator. Our protection. Our albatross, too. It was the same background for all of our entire lives and relations.h.i.+ps. Now? It's so expanded and continuing to change. It's all so different. I was just thinking..."

She leaned her head against his arm. It felt comforting to Joey. Her fingers squeezed his tighter. Something rose inside him and filled his chest. Her gesture of affection, her presence, and her support made it a big, poignant moment, and somehow okay. Like if she were by his side, and a part of his life, he could let all of this go. Releasing the ranch and former lifestyle of his brothers and him from what should have been, to what was now suddenly seemed achievable. He could embrace the resort with as much gusto as their legacy to the horses and the land. He could finally let his brothers live with their wives and raise their children there with his full blessing. He didn't feel like they were replacing the importance he once held in their lives.

He stared harder at his brothers, who were still talking and laughing together. "They were my parents. I have a different perspective than any of them. I was too young to remember our parents. I only have vague a.s.sociations with them that are mostly taken from what Jack and Ian told me. Once upon a time, it was just them. My brothers. I looked up to them as my heroes, my source of security, my guards and protectors. I knew nothing, but no one could mess with me or they'd take care of it. Always. You know? It might have gone too far sometimes. Perhaps in my late teens, their support provided me with way more arrogance than I should have had. But I was raised by all males essentially. Lily wasn't a tender or sweet woman. Not like Erin at all. She was stern. She worked side by side with Jack. But could pull her own weight. She loved Ben and Charlie, her biological children. But as for me? I wasn't hers. I was Jack's however, so Jack raised me as his son. He is my father. It's hard to describe. Then, after I turned twenty or twenty-one, I suddenly became his equal. I lacked the confidence, however, to really be his brother. I still don't have the confidence. I try to accept the new family dynamic, but I just find it so hard. I don't want to be just a brother. They are, for me, what I feel other people's parents are for them. So it's especially hard to see us separating, marrying, and building new families. I feel replaced sometimes, which is unreasonable, but it's a gut thing. I know I'm not when I a.n.a.lyze it. It's stupid for me to feel that way. But I still feel like that each time one of them gets married or has a kid... you know, sort of helpless, like they're all gradually moving on in their lives. Away from me. Like they're essentially leaving me."

She released a long sigh. "That actually makes a lot of sense."

He stared at her until she seemed to sense it and lifted her face towards his. He touched her cheek, cupping her face in his hand. "When you're next to me, it all feels okay. Like it should happen. And I want it to. Because then I'd have... something different and new. I'd have... you."

Her gaze held his as her lips opened and her eyes grew larger. "Joey... I can't make up for what you just described. I'm just a summer fling. I'm not..."

"Yes, you are. But you don't want to hear it." He turned towards her and wrapped his arms around her, pus.h.i.+ng her face into his chest. "I'm just glad you're here with me today. Besides, you make me look good. You should hear all the comments from family and friends..."

She frowned. "Because I'm so freaking old?"

"No, because you're so pretty and polite and nice and likeable, and not like any girlfriend anyone expected me to have."

Her eyebrows lowered. "Dear G.o.d, Joey. What kind of girls did you date before? They must have been really horrible."

"Besides Erin?" He grinned, knowing how much it irritated her. And in all honesty? He kind of liked stoking the jealous streak in her. Provoking the unseen claws of possessiveness towards him to come out actually amused him.

"Yes, besides your sister-in-law."

"No one that meant a d.a.m.n thing to me."

She let him stay, embracing him. Then she mumbled. "I do though?"

He exhaled the breath he was holding. She so rarely let him articulate his feelings towards her. "Yeah. You do. Do you believe me?"

Her head nodded up and down. No eye contact, but with the smallest, quietest voice, she replied, "I do. I believe you. I might... someday..."

He squeezed her waist and let it go for the time being. Just then, Jack came sauntering up to him, also dressed in a black suit that matched Joey's. It was quite a sight to see all the Rydell men clad in black suits at the same time. Jack shook Joey's hand and Hailey's. "It's so nice to see you here, Hailey."

She blushed. But Joey was pleased at Jack's reception and instant acceptance of her. They discussed the way Jack trained the horses to perform for him.

Then it was time. The whole family disappeared into the main house. The wedding guests started to fill up all the chairs in antic.i.p.ation of the ceremony. Hailey sat next to some neighbors that she'd met before. Allison and Erin were in the wedding, wearing pale pink sundresses. The ceremony was scheduled to begin at noon, in order to avoid the hottest temperature of the day, which was predicted to be in the nineties. The radio also mentioned a lightning storm that was supposed to be coming through in a few days. He sighed. Each year, there was a fire season due to the dry, arid region. Usually, they were caused by lightning strikes. Occasionally, some were started by a careless camper or a tossed cigarette, but mostly, the culprit was lightning.

Joey pushed it all from his mind today. Today was all that mattered. It started out as a seamless, pristine blue sky with the golden sun s.h.i.+mmering over the expanse of pines and mountains. The green carpet of lawn was freshly clipped and looked like a fertile oasis in contrast to the dry dust and brittle sage surrounding the ranch.

A sense of giddiness and hope filled all of their hearts. It was a long awaited day but Ian and Kailynn were finally going to be married. This time was much like the wedding that Jack and Erin had. Shane's had been a shock to everyone, very impromptu with only a few weeks of preparation. But Ian and Kailynn had been dating for five years and everyone was glad to wish them well as a couple. The guests were all seated. The pastor was a lovely woman from the church in River's End who kindly officiated at the ceremony.

Joey and his brothers all filed up to the front of the crowd and stood in line next to the pastor. The bridesmaids were next. First Erin, then Allison, as well as a friend from Kailynn's school marched down the aisle.

Kailynn appeared as a perfect bride, perched at the top of the porch stairs. For a long moment, she just stood there, her bell-shaped, tulle dress fluttering gently in the soft, perfect breeze. Her long, thick, brunette hair was styled in curls that cascaded past her chest. Her dress had short sleeves that seemed to frame her impressive b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Joey had noticed those a time or two with visible admiration. He would have never said so to Ian, however, who would probably have socked him in the gut. Kailynn looked so traditional and old-fas.h.i.+oned, creating a perfect picture against their house. Their legacy. Their parents' home, and the brothers' castle. Something bubbled over inside Joey. Something big and beautiful made him realize that in spite of all the changes, it was always a pretty special place to live and be raised in. Now, it was the perfect setting for two paths to join together.

The photographer snapped a dozen pictures of Kailynn before she descended the stairs. It was spontaneous, but something seemed so poignant about her gaze as it swept over the scene before her. She observed the crowd of family and friends until her eyes lifted and landed on Ian. She often had a solemn expression, but she broke into a huge, wide grin, lifting everyone's hearts and souls when her eyes met Ian's. Watching it almost made Joey blush too. He felt like they were interrupting a private moment when they officially became husband and wife.

Then Kailynn walked forward, breaking the magic. The ceremony proceeded as rehea.r.s.ed. It was the usual exchange of vows, rings, and kisses before the announcement. Then it was grinning faces and hearty congratulations that included plenty of hoots and hollers. The solemnity of the occasion broke as they all crowded around the new couple, Ian and Kailynn, in purposeful celebration.

The gala continued throughout the afternoon, catered by the cook from the restaurant. A bartender mixed all the drinks, in which Joey and his brothers liberally imbibed. Joey talked to every person he'd ever known from River's End. Hailey stayed right next to him, and he tugged her along, looking happier than he ever had to have her by his side. The alcohol made him act friskier, so Hailey started to drink also. Everyone danced and talked and ate and drank. There was plenty of laughter and conversation to go around. It was a golden afternoon, under the large tent erected over the lawn. They left all the flaps up to allow the soft breezes to flow through in attempt to cool down the hot air.

Amidst a loud tinkling of gla.s.ses, the usual toasts were made. Jack went first. He spoke of their family and raising the boys, saying how much Ian meant to the place. Then how thrilled they all were that Kailynn drew Ian back into the world of family and responsibility. Then Shane got up to speak. Finally, Joey rattled off similar words. They were all so happy. Joy. Family. Friends. Love. Celebration. What every wedding should be. Everyone there, even the most solemn or serious, were touched by the general giddiness and unbridled joy that seemed to characterize the entire event.

After Joey's speech, Kailynn's brother, Jordan, took the microphone. He waited until everyone was quiet. Beginning with a lovely and surprisingly sentiment about his sister and how much he loved her, he told everyone how she raised him and said he wouldn't be the man he was without her love and support. It was truly astonis.h.i.+ng to see how much Jordan had grown up in the last few years, which was amply reflected in the glowing words he spoke about his sister. He soon had Kailynn crying and coming forward to hug him. They talked quietly for a few moments before he gently whispered something in her ear. She nodded, smiled, touched his cheek, and returned to Ian again. Jordan held the microphone for a long moment. Breathing hard, as if... what? Joey thought he needed to gain courage for his next sentence. But what could it possibly be?

Then Jordan lifted the microphone to his mouth once more. After a long, solemn breath, he started to talk. "I owe this to someone I care very much about... I love more than anything else on earth. I was... no, I am scared to do this. More scared than anything else I've ever done in my life. I'm sorry to distract anyone from my sister today, but she insisted, and she understood why. You see, I hurt someone once because I was so careless and scared. But unless I do this really big, I don't think that person will understand how I truly feel... or believe me. You see, I realized today, while watching my sister with Ian, how much I want the kind of happiness and life she has and can look forward to with Ian. She deserves that... and so do I. But like Kailynn, I already know who that person is for me and I already met that person. I just failed to stand up for the love I know we share." He took in another deep breath. His gaze scoured the crowd before stopping dead on someone. Joey glanced back but he couldn't fathom who it was. Having worked on and off with Jordan during the past six years, Joey had no idea Jordan had dated anyone, let alone, felt something serious for someone. Joey didn't even know that Jordan was so capable of sounding so eloquent. Who knew?

But the crowd parted until Joey realized where Jordan's gaze was fastened. "I love you, Pedro, and I'm sorry it took me this long to own it. I know some of you will be shocked..." His eyes instantly fell on his dad and his brother, Caleb, who both looked as if they just swallowed live frogs. Joey's eyebrows jutted up in surprise. Holy s.h.i.+t! He had no idea... Jordan and Pedro? Looking up, he saw nothing but pride and relief in Ian and Kailynn's faces, who already knew.

"But since the laws have changed... will you do me the honor of marrying me?" Jordan's voice grew stronger in tone. He seemed as if, by finally admitting his love for Pedro, he grew a foot taller in his height and general presence.

At first, the wedding guests were stunned to silence. It was a crazy, deep, visibly stunned silence. One that made Joey uncomfortable. After all, it was Jordan. And Pedro. He'd known, worked, and hung out with both men for years. They were decent guys and didn't deserve the awkward reception they were receiving. Finally, Joey stood up and started to clap, yelling out, "Come on, Pedro, what do you say? Yes or no?"

Jordan glanced at Joey, a nearly desperate Thank you in his eyes and smiled just slightly. Joey smiled back. What the f.u.c.k? Jordan had proposed in a beautiful and bold manner. Why wouldn't Joey have supported it?

Pedro finally stepped forward, his face red with embarra.s.sment. He was dark-skinned and quite a handsome, reserved man. He'd already proven himself to be a valued Rydell employee for a half dozen years. His eyes were s.h.i.+ning when he nodded his head in the affirmative.

Jordan's entire body sagged as he set the microphone down and jumped off the stage to rush towards his love. Pedro seemed stiff and solemn, but a small smile appeared on his face, and he met Jordan with a tight hug. Joey clapped and the crowd, still unsure and bewildered, finally started to clap too. The men didn't kiss. Joey figured that might be a little too much for this crowd... but it was progress, all the same. The two men split apart, grinning like children, and Joey was the first to start congratulating them. Others followed suit as the reception proceedings carried on. The music began to play and people started to dance. Jordan was speaking with his dad and brother, while Kailynn stood right next to him, holding his hand and offering her support. Pedro was shaking Caleb's hand. Huh. What a freaking surprise.

Jazzed and a bit drunk, Joey made his way back to Hailey. He found her smiling at him when he stopped in front of her. She reached up and swept his hair back. "That was really awesome... and I like how you got the crowd to accept their union so fast. That was something, Joey Rydell."

He swept her up in his arms and kissed her lips, loud and long. "If you and I can feel this and share it, why shouldn't they? Who the h.e.l.l has any authority to oppose it? Come on, dance with me."

And they danced the rest of the afternoon and evening away. Many townspeople left as the day wore on, but the Rydell family didn't. They had a barbecue and ate more food and did more celebrating. Joey and his brothers were soon drunk out of their minds. Obnoxious might be the word to describe their behavior. Shedding their monkey suits and wearing shorts and t-s.h.i.+rts, they prepared to celebrate some more. There was more dancing and volleyball games and a huge bonfire and swimming. Amidst raucous laughter and catcalling, there were plenty of anecdotes and lots of stories about Ian growing up.

Joey ran across Ben at one point, who seemed all pouty and sad. He was staring out at the darkening river. Joey slapped his nephew-brother-friend on the back. "What could be wrong tonight? Have more alcohol and whatever it is will be fine."

Ben smiled but shook his head. "Marcy got p.i.s.sed at me. She stormed out of here. Took one of the trucks. She's been drinking... I hope not too much. I have no idea where she went. She said something about me not paying attention to her and talking to Jocelyn. It was about the ranch but that was irrelevant to her. I don't know..."

Joey slapped Ben on the back. That was the status quo. Marcy, on a daily basis, seemed to always find something that made her mad at him. But Joey refrained from pointing that out to Ben. Even drunk, Joey was smart enough to know when to keep his mouth shut. "It'll be fine. Just enjoy tonight. Ian's finally married. You're not alone. Come on, Ben, have a drink." He got up and returned with a beer. Ben took it.

Ben finally smiled. "You're no help, Jo. You know, she thinks you're a bad influence."

His a.s.s he was. But Joey held his tongue. Marcy was crazy-controlling and jealous. She hated all of them, it seemed, any of Ben's family and friends who diverted his attention from her. She was crazy with a capital C in Joey's opinion. But since no one asked, he chose not to comment on it.

"Well then, blame it on me."

He drank and nodded towards Hailey, who was talking with Erin. "She's pretty."

"And older. Did you miss that?"

"No. Didn't miss it. Just never saw you giving a s.h.i.+t about anyone before."

Joey sighed, his drunken haze clarifying for a moment of serious reflection. "I haven't. I do her, though. She's hung up on it."

"Maybe she'll get over it."

"She might. But there's her daughter..."

"h.o.r.n.y Brianna? Yeah, I noticed."

"Yeah, so... not sure what'll happen..."

"Don't give up. If it's worth it." He drank and stared out, looking contemplative. But something didn't ring true in Ben's tone. He sounded so world weary and yet, he was only twenty-one years old. His marriage didn't seem to be what he thought or hoped it would be.

"Is it? Worth it for you, I mean?"

He sighed. "It has to be. I made a commitment, Jo. So it just has to be."

Joey almost argued, but he knew Ben had his father's rigid sense of black and white, and right and wrong. Any commitment, especially marriage, was meant to last forever. Too bad Marcy failed in that sense of resolve but Ben never noticed the real Marcy. He should have told Ben. But he never dreamed Ben and Marcy would sneak away to get married. So Joey let it go, thinking time would reveal the truth of her personality to Ben. It did too... but it happened too late.

He and Ben sat drinking and talking for a few more hours, happily reconnecting because Marcy wasn't there to stop it. Finally drunk, they joined the rest of the crowd and stayed up long into the night, talking and laughing. Remembering. And enjoying each other's company.

Ian and Kailynn had long since departed, then Jack and Erin left. Shane, Allison, and even Ben finally decided to go to his apartment. All alone, Ben had to wait for his pill of a wife. Joey grabbed Hailey's hand and dragged her to his house where they engaged in sloppy, but fun, drunken s.e.x. She was as buzzed and happy as he was. She liked his family, at least, she did while drunk. When they were both naked, in bed, and nearly fading off to alcohol-induced slumber, he mumbled, "I love you, Hailey. The real thing. The forever kind."

She sighed, snuggling into him. "You don't know what forever is."

"I know what this feeling inside me means."

She didn't answer, but rubbed her hand along his chest.

Chapter Eleven.

THE NEXT MORNING, THEY both woke up with hangovers, which they nursed together. By the afternoon, they wandered to the ranch house to find Jack and Erin. They were both looking green around the gills, and hungover too as they tended to the horses' needs. So was Shane, who kept his sungla.s.ses on. AJ was hard at work as usual, moving around the sprinklers. But Jack called him in so they could all take care of the horses together. Quietly. No loud noises were allowed. When they finally chanced to catch a glimpse of each other's eyes, they couldn't help laughing at the absurdity of it. However, the late afternoon brought intense heat, as per usual in August, making them all the more miserable.

"Screw it, let's go sit in the river. The horses aren't going to die now that we fed and watered them. Let's just go relax," Jack suggested suddenly, swiping a hand across his forehead.

Joey laughed and agreed. Soon, he and Hailey, Jack and Erin, Shane and Allison, and AJ and Kate were down at the beach, floating lazily in inner tubes and chatting together. Charlie and Cami, always energetic and full of action, were left in charge of Rosie while the rest of them recovered. Once in a while, someone dipped under the water to cool off. Other than that, it was a languid, easy float and they literally basked in the cool water, the sun-drenched scenery and the patter of soft voices and laughter from couples that got along much better than most.

The river undulated, carrying them smoothly away into clear rivulets and diverse currents. Gliding over the multi-colored, round river rocks below, everyone relaxed as they swirled in the sunlight and their reflections and shadows bounced off the river bottom. The sun's rays burned up the blue sky and the air around them fairly sizzled with radiant heat. Late afternoon brought long shadows over the surrounding mountains that turned nearly purple in the scorching haze.

Ian and Kailynn showed up. They were holding hands and smiling, blocking the sun from their eyes to see everybody. Wearing swimsuits, they entered the water without hesitation.

"What the h.e.l.l are you two doing back here? Aren't you supposed to be busy honeymooning?" Jack called out as they drew closer. Ian's wide grin was unexpected and unusual. "Who says we aren't?"

Kailynn socked him in the gut playfully. Bashful about anything pertaining to s.e.x, she rarely let Ian even tease about it. "We don't leave for Hawaii until Tuesday. After we fly straight back to Seattle. We wanted to spend some time here, with you guys. Besides... we're a little hungover too."

Ian grunted. "More like a rock was smashed into my head."

Joey, Jack, and Shane nodded in agreement, lifting their beer cans up. "Only one cure for that: hair from the dog that bit you. It's in the cooler onsh.o.r.e."

Ian laughed and returned to sh.o.r.e before quickly pouring the cold beer down his throat and wiping his hand across his mouth. "Best cure." He stood in the river, which reached his mid-chest. Jack, Joey, Shane, and AJ drifted near him. They started talking about the ranch, Ian's business in Seattle, and his plans for the foreseeable future.

Hailey was left with all the Rydell women and she enjoyed it. They talked the wedding to death. From the decorations, to the food and guests. The epic scene with Jordan was a popular subject too.

"Did you know?" Erin asked Kailynn.

She nodded. "Yes, they started dating in secret before Ian and I did. Ian always knew, because he caught them together once. He never told anyone but me. Jordan told me two years ago. He was barely able to even discuss it. If you understood my dad..." She stopped and shrugged. "He was scared. But eventually, Pedro got sick of hiding it and Jordan having to be so secretive. He ended it with Jordan about six months ago. Jordan was miserable. He talked a lot to me since I was about the only one who knew. He was so heartbroken. I told him to go for it, and lay it all on the line. He never considered that. Sometimes you have to do stuff like that, whether it's in front of a wedding crowd or just the two of them, somehow, he had to persuade Pedro that he was there for him and ready for this."

"Epic..." Kate muttered. "I always wondered about Pedro. Not once did he look twice at me, in all the times I pranced around the place, you know, trying to get AJ's attention..."

Allison laughed out loud. "Not every man fell at your feet. My husband included. He merely wondered why you kept prancing around a working ranch wearing only your bikini."

"Strictly for AJ. But most guys tend to look, even if they don't do anything about it. But not Pedro..."

Allison splashed water at Kate in a joking reb.u.t.tal. Making Kate shriek and the rest of them laugh.

They turned back towards Kailynn as Erin asked, "So how was your night, anyway, Kailynn? Is it better now that you're married? Or just the same as any other night?"

She blushed furiously. "No. Definitely not just another night. But since you already know I refuse to give any details..."

Erin laughed louder. "Lord, girl, it's like you're still a blus.h.i.+ng-"

"Don't even, Erin," she interrupted, rolling her eyes. Then she smiled at Hailey. "She enjoys giving me such c.r.a.p because Ian was my first."

Hailey smiled back. She sensed genuine affection and friends.h.i.+p between all of them.

"I got a job offer," Kailynn added after a few moments of floating in peace.

Erin squealed. "Are you for real? Where? When? When do you start?"

Kailynn's blush showed Hailey it was super important to her. It meant far more than just employment. "Kate hooked me up with the company that does her accounting." Kailynn again glanced at Hailey, explaining, "I just graduated with my accounting degree. I never thought I'd get out of here, or do something like that. Anyway, they interviewed me a few weeks ago and they just came back with an offer. It's low level but it's a generous place to start. And thank you, Kate, for the reference. I know they only hired me because of you but..."

Kate waved her off. "How the h.e.l.l do you think I got to where I am? My dad owned the company I took over. Whom you know is often as important as what you know. Just simple facts of life. Seattle's big, but really, the business world there isn't all that huge. Having good connections is often more important, but don't sell yourself short. You earned the right degree and you have a good personality."

"Well, congratulations, I know how much this means to you," Allison said to Kailynn. "Has Erin mentioned her news?"

Eyes rolled all around the group and Hailey wondered why. Allison must have noticed her confused expression. She sighed and said, "Of course, Erin didn't. Do you ever?" Erin sunk lower in her inner tube, bowing her head with just the corner of her smile showing. Allison spoke for her. "We finished the last level of the Barton Reading and Spelling System. And so, my dear sister-in-law, what does that mean in plain English?"

Erin finally raised her head with a small smile and a wink. "I can freaking read."

Allison nodded with satisfaction. "She is no longer illiterate. Although she still can't quite believe it. Neither can I. But that's all history now."

Kailynn suddenly jumped toward Erin and dumped her inner tube, with her still inside it, into the water. "How the h.e.l.l do you not lead with that? Erin! What is wrong with you? Sing it from the rooftops. Yell it from the mountain tops. Holy c.r.a.p, Erin."

She came up sputtering, coughing out water and rubbing her eyes. They caught the attention of all the guys now. They were watching Kailynn's uncharacteristic freak-out. Allison nodded. Kate wolf-whistled in support.

"Because I don't read fast yet. It's still slow and choppy. I mean, I can't go to college or anything. I'm like... maybe someday, I can read at high school level..."