Prologue

A rickety truck rumbles down a dirt road, kicking up dust and pebbles as it moves. It takes a turn at the little wooden sign before ambling down the drive, a sign that everyone in Franklin county knows: The Sweetest Peaches in Virginia.

A petite blonde sits on the porch, grinning as the truck comes into view. She's barely fifteen, but she is the envy of the county for her beauty and grace. Even without a mother, she's growing into a proper young woman. The blue of her simple dress sets off the blue of her eyes, the shape complimenting her figure. The truck comes to a halt, causing the girl to stand from her rocking chair, raising a hand in welcome as she smiles.

"Why if it ain't the misters Bondurant," she says with a laugh as the youngest and eldest brothers hop out of the truck. The middle brother stays put, as he always does, puffing on a cigar as he surveys the farm.

"And why if it ain't the sweetest peach in Franklin," the youngest calls back as he chuckles, causing the blonde to blush. He climbs the steps to give her hand a kiss, an innocent smile on his face.

"You're too kind, Jack Bondurant."

He removes the hat from his head, giving her a little bow of his head. "Just telling the truth, Miss Ellie."

"Where's your pa?" Howard's voice calls out from the back of the truck, crate of white lightning in his hands. Jack looks between his brother and the girl, obviously wondering if he should stay put or help.

"Tending the horses in the barn. He's expecting ya."

Howard grumbles and nods, making his way around the porch to the barn with peeling red paint. Jack visibly relaxes when he sees he's not needed.

"Now, Miss Ellie, you wouldn't happen to have any of that fine peach cobbler you make, would you?"

"Jack." His other brother's voice is raised in warning.

"Let me go check," Ellie responds with an indulgent smile, heading into the house. The screen door slams, Jack playing with his hat as he waits, shuffling his feet against the stairs.

"She ain't got enough to worry about without feeding you some pie?" His voice is barely a grumble, but it carries a weight to it that makes it impossible to ignore.

"Now Forrest, you know Ellie always makes us some cobbler."

"Because she knows you're expecting it."

"But Miss Ellie-"

"Miss Ellie what, Jack?" She's returned, cobbler in hand, ready to hand it over to the brothers that she can't help but adore. Their legend is well known, the brothers almost larger than life, but they're still good people, as her father would say. The scent of the dessert is sweet, sending Jack's mouth watering and even causing Forrest to toss his cigar out the window so he can try to catch a whiff.

"Makes the best cobbler in all of Virginia," Jack says with a smile as he unloads the dessert from her hands. "Smells even better than last time, I think."

"You say that every time, Jack Bondurant." She can't help but look over to the silent brother as Howard comes into view, hands empty and walking with determination. "See you boys in a couple of weeks."

Forrest gives her a small nod as Jack hands him the pie through the window, a thank you is how she thinks of it. The two brothers climb back into their vehicle, Howard crowing his appreciation as they leave.