Chapter 36 #2
I smile. “I’m not pranking you, baby. Bring Owen and Ellie when you come.”
“Okay, we’ll be there. Can I at least get a clue?”
“Nah, you’re going to love this. Just come out. Love you, honey,” I say again, quieter. “I’ll see you soon.”
Her tone changes. Softer. “Okay, I’ll get the kids.”
My chest tightens in the best way. “Okay,” I say. “I’ll meet you by the lodge.”
“I love you,” she says, like it’s easy now, and the sound of that coming from her lips makes me close my eyes.
“I love you too,” I say, and mean it with my whole damn chest.
I hang up and stare at the cabin again, and for the first time in my life, the future doesn’t feel like something I’m running toward. It feels like something I’m walking into.
A truck crunches along the dirt road and pulls up.
Poppy climbs out first. She pulls Ellie out of her carseat and bundles her up in a blanket.
Owen follows, already bouncing on his heels like he can’t stand still, eyes darting across the land like it’s a playground the size of a dream.
He’s going to love what I’m about to tell them, but first I have to tell Poppy.
“Okay,” Poppy calls as she approaches, narrowing her eyes at me, but she’s smiling. “What’s going on?”
I step closer and take her free hand, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles. “Come with me. Just us. Cami’s gonna take Ellie and Owen to the barn.”
She lets me lead her to the barn, Owen following behind us with a million questions, Ellie making soft little noises against Poppy’s chest like she’s talking to her, too.
“Hey,” Cami says as she walks out of the barn, ruffling Owen’s hair. “There’s my Owen and Ellie.”
“Hey, Cami. Do you know what the mystery is about?” Poppy asks, her eyes darting to me and back to her as if she has some answers.
“I do, but I’m not telling,” she singsongs.
Cami takes Ellie from Poppy and straps her to her chest. “Let me take my sister. You’re never too early to start learning about horses, baby.”
“Come on,” I tell Poppy, grinning as I take her hand. “There’s something I want to show you.”
Owen pops up instantly. “Me too?”
I stop and look at him, really look at him. He’s watching me closely, hopeful but cautious like he always is when things feel big.
“Yeah, buddy,” I say. “You especially.”
That does it. His face lights up.
I hold the truck door for Poppy, and she hesitates before climbing in. “You know I hate surprises, Ollie.”
“I know,” I say easily. “But I think you’re going to like this one.”
Owen bounces in the back seat the whole drive, peppering me with questions I dodge badly on purpose. When we finally crest the rise in the field, the cabin comes into view, tucked near the cottonwoods like it belongs there.
Poppy goes still beside me.
She looks from the cabin to me, confused. “What is this?”
I park and cut the engine. “This,” I say, turning to face them both, “is ours.”
Her mouth parts. Her eyes go wide. “Ollie,” she whispers. “Are you serious?”
But I’m watching Owen now. He’s leaning forward between the seats, staring out the windshield like he’s afraid it might disappear if he blinks. “You mean… like… we’d live here?”
I turn fully toward him. “Only if you want to.”
That gets her attention.
Owen looks at me, searching my face. “We wouldn’t have to move again?”
“No,” I say quietly. “This would be home. Our family’s land.”
He swallows. “With you?”
“With me,” I promise. “And your sister and Ellie.”
His shoulders drop like something heavy just slid off them. “Then yeah,” he says quickly. “I want that.”
Poppy’s hand tightens around mine.
I look back at her, my chest full. “Cami and Jack offered us twenty acres. There’s a cabin. It’s not perfect, but it’s solid. A place to live while we save up to build something bigger for our family.”
Her eyes fill instantly. “You’re kidding.”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
She steps out of the truck, still holding my hand like she’s afraid this is a trick. Owen bolts ahead, circling the cabin, already claiming it in his head.
“Why would they do this for us?” she whispers, voice shaking.
“Because they love us,” I say simply. “And because they’re our family.”
She looks back at Owen, laughing now as he runs up onto the porch. Her eyes shine when she turns back to me. “Ollie…”
“And because I think they want you to have what you never got,” I add softly.
She meets my gaze. “And what do you want?”
“A future,” I say. “A place that’s ours.”
Owen comes bounding back. “Can I pick my room?”
I laugh. “We’ll see.”
Poppy laughs too, breathless and disbelieving. “I want this so much,” she says.
I lift my hand and wipe a tear from her cheek. “We’re going to be happy here,” I tell her. “All of us. Together.”
She exhales, a shaky laugh breaking free.
I cup her face and kiss her, slow and sure, like I’m making a promise with my mouth. She kisses me back like she’s finally letting herself believe she’s allowed to have this life.
“I can’t believe this,” she whispers.
I rest my forehead against hers. “Believe it,” I say. “This is real. And it’s good.”
Behind us, Owen yells, “I’m calling dibs on the biggest bathroom if there is one.”
She laughs again, warm and free, and something settles deep in my chest.
For the first time in my life, I know what good feels like.
And it’s standing right here in front of me.