Reality Check - Page 39/53

McKenna.

As he read the name, Sage dropped her head. Brian explained that the connection with her was not as strong as that with the other four. Sage was a beautiful lady and would have no trouble finding someone to make her happy.

As Sage left, the four ladies celebrated what would be their last night in the mansion. They would be returning to their hometowns the next day. It was time for Brian to meet their families.

First on Brian's list was McKenna. He met her in Denver.

She took him to her old high school. She showed him the trophies from her volleyball team. She was the MVP of her team her senior year, when they went to the state quarterfinals.

Next, she showed him the scene of the accident which put her in a wheelchair. It was a painful memory for her, but one she felt she needed to share with Brian.

They had dinner with her parents, brother, and sister-in-law. They asked Brian questions about what kind of person he was and how he felt about McKenna.

He asked them questions about how everyone had to adjust to her being in a wheelchair. They shared how common everyday habits became much more difficult, especially since there wasn't much room in the house to move.

After dinner, he met privately with her father, then with her mother. He left a very good impression on all.

That night, he flew to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Although Caitlin lived in Nashville, she grew up in a small town in Arkansas called Flippin. It was located in north central Arkansas with a population of a little over a thousand people.

He met Caitlin the next day. Caitlin took him to Whiskey Dick's, the bar where she got her start as a singer. She took the stage and sang a song she wrote especially for him. The song brought him to tears.

She took him to meet her family: her father, stepmother, cousins, and four-year old Quinn. Quinn took and instant liking to him, as did everyone else.

Brian told them how special Caitlin was and what she meant to him. Her family could tell he was ready to settle down and couldn't think of a better person Caitlin could find than him.

Brian and Caitlin shared a private moment under her favorite tree. They kissed, and darkness became light.

He couldn't stay too late. He had to return to Fayetteville. He left before the moon reached its apex.

The next morning, he flew to Pittsburgh. That was the closest airport to Wheeling.

He met Alison at the bar where she worked, the Swing Club. She fixed him her favorite drink, a Piece of Ass. It was one shot of almond amaretto liqueur, one shot of Southern Comfort peach liqueur, and filled with sweet and sour mix.