25. Claire
25
CLAIRE
A nother school year down and, for once, I’m excited to return back home.
As much as I wish I wasn’t, I’m excited to see Ransom.
I play it cool. I take my time unpacking. I visit with Dagney, who reminds me again how well I’m growing up . I spend time with Daddy, who seems genuinely surprised that the prodigal daughter has returned home, the forever unwelcome visitor in his life.
Visiting Calypso is better. She whines happily. I pet her, talk to her, and she settles down. She has tiny braids laced through her white hair, each braid fitted with a little purple ribbon.
I know whose handiwork this is .
Heavy boots enter the barn. I know that gait. I don’t turn, I just continue petting Calypso as I feel Ransom take up space.
There’s a thud as he drops his equipment. “You’re home.”
I glance over my shoulder. “For now.”
It’s hard to remain impassive when he’s standing there in all his rugged glory. The Preacher Ranch uniform stretches across his thick chest. Have his arms always been that big? Has he always had that dappling of hair that runs along the back of them? He’s got a rope hanging from his shoulders and I can’t help but think about all the ways he can use it.
Those deep, brown eyes drink me in. I bite my lip.
We don’t say things like I missed you . Instead, we just start kissing, and we don’t stop.