Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lena
H e said it back to me.
I’m on cloud nine. I honestly never believed I’d ever be this happy again.
I’ve never felt this safe before, either.
I always struggled to sleep well when Aaron was home in the same bed as me. Because of this, we started sleeping in different beds for the past five years of our marriage.
As I lay ensconced in Gavin’s strong arms, feeling his heat and strength against my body, I’m finding it hard to stay awake.
What a difference this is in every way.
I no longer feel guilty for moving on with Gavin. That’s a nice feeling.
I wake up slowly, a lazy smile tugging at my lips before my eyes even open. There’s warmth all around me. Gavin’s body is pressed against mine, his arm heavy across my waist, and the soft rise and fall of his chest beneath my head. His heartbeat is steady, a comforting rhythm I could listen to forever. I burrow closer, not wanting to leave this moment just yet. The morning light filters in through the curtains, but everything inside me feels still and content.
I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy.
Gavin shifts slightly, his arm tightening around me, and his breath stirs the hair at the back of my neck. “Mornin’,” he murmurs, his voice rough and low from sleep.
“Morning,” I whisper back, turning my head just enough to catch a glimpse of his face. His eyes are still closed, lips curved into a sleepy smile, and I can’t help but grin. “Sleep well?”
“Like a rock.” He chuckles, his voice vibrating through me. “But I think you had something to do with that.”
“Oh really?” I tease, shifting so I’m on my back, looking up at him fully now. His eyes flutter open, that pale blue gaze locking onto mine, and I feel a flutter in my chest.
God, he’s beautiful in the morning—his hair a mess, stubble covering his jaw, and the sheets barely covering his hips.
“Well, I’m glad I could help.”
“You more than helped,” he says, his hand sliding down my side, fingers tracing lazy circles on my skin. The touch sends a shiver through me, even though it’s gentle, and I know he can feel the way my body reacts.
I laugh, shaking my head as I swat his hand away. “Stop that. I’m hungry.”
His grin widens. “I’m hungry too, but I’m not sure we’re talking about the same thing.”
I give him a playful shove, and he rolls over, landing on his back with a loud, exaggerated groan. “Fine, fine,” he says dramatically. “Breakfast first, then we’ll see about round two.”
I laugh again as I toss the covers off and slip out of bed. The cool air hits my skin, making me shiver, but I don’t bother grabbing anything to wear. Being naked with him feels natural. Comfortable. As I pad toward the kitchen, I hear him groan again behind me.
“Now you’re just teasing me,” he calls, and I toss a smirk over my shoulder.
“Come on, Mr. Hungry. Help me make pancakes.”
He follows me out of bed, and I hear his footsteps padding across the hardwood behind me as I reach the kitchen. The sun is pouring through the windows now, and everything feels warm and bright. Perfect. Gavin steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist as I reach for the coffee pot, his chest pressing against my back.
“What’s the plan, chef?” he asks, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, sending a warm, tingly feeling through my body.
“Coffee, pancakes, and maybe some fruit,” I reply, trying to focus on the task at hand even as his hands slide down to my hips, his fingers splaying across my bare skin.
“Sounds good to me.”
I break free from his hold just long enough to pour the coffee, handing him a mug before he can pull me back in. “Here. Drink. You’re impossible without caffeine.”
He raises an eyebrow, looking amused as he takes a sip. “I think you’re the impossible one,” he teases, reaching out to nudge my side. “Distracting me with all this... nakedness.”
I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head as I turn to start gathering ingredients for the pancakes. “You’re just going to have to deal with it,” I say, flashing him a grin. “Besides, it’s not like I’m forcing you to cook. I could’ve done this alone, you know.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” He steps closer, taking the mixing bowl from my hands and setting it down on the counter before pulling me against him. His eyes flicker with heat, but there’s something soft in them, too, something that makes me smile. “You and me… doing everything together… that’s how it should be.”
The words stay there, and my heart does a little flippity-flop of pure happiness and joy. For a moment, the playfulness fades, replaced by something deeper, something that feels like more than just morning-after banter. I look up at him, my chest tightening with how much I feel for him, how right everything feels.
“I like the sound of that,” I say softly, my hand resting on his chest.
He smiles, his thumb brushing over my cheek before he leans down to kiss me, slow and sweet. It’s a kiss that feels like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
It’s full of love, promise, and passion .
We make breakfast together, laughing and teasing the entire time. He insists on flipping the pancakes, showing off by trying to toss them in the air and catching them again, which only works about half the time. I tease him mercilessly for it, and he counters by smearing a bit of syrup on my nose, which leads to a playful wrestling match right in the middle of the kitchen. It feels like we’re kids again, carefree and wild, and I love every second of it.
By the time we’re sitting down at the table with our plates of pancakes and coffee, I feel like I’m floating.
This is it. This is what real happiness feels like.
We’ve just finished eating and getting dressed when I hear the front door open, followed by the sound of Jayla’s voice calling out, “Hello? I’m home!”
I glance at Gavin, and he winks at me before standing up to meet her in the hallway. “Hey, kiddo,” he calls back, his voice warm and easy. “How was the sleepover?”
She comes into the kitchen, her face lighting up when she sees us. “It was fun,” she says, dropping her backpack by the door. “Do we have plans? Can we go riding today?”
I smile at her eagerness, already feeling the excitement building in my chest. “Of course,” I say, standing and reaching for my jacket. “Let’s get changed and head out to the farm.”
An hour later, we make our way out to the stables, the sun warm on our backs and the smell of hay and earth surrounding us as we approach the horses. Jayla runs ahead, already calling out to her favorite horse, Dancer, while Gavin and I walk hand in hand behind her.
As we saddle up, I can’t help but laugh at how happy Jayla looks, her eyes shining with excitement as she brushes Dancer’s mane. “She loves this,” I say softly, glancing over at Gavin. “You should’ve seen her face when we first brought her out here.”
“I can tell.”
“She gets it from your dad,” she says, her voice quieter now. “He used to take her riding all the time.”
We spend the afternoon riding around the farm, laughing and joking as we race across the fields. Jayla is fearless, urging Dancer faster and faster, her laughter echoing in the wind. I feel free, my heart light as I ride alongside Gavin, stealing glances at him every chance I get. He looks so at ease, so at home here, and it fills me with a warmth I can’t describe.
As we head back toward the stables, Jayla slows her horse, falling in beside us. “I missed doing this with Grandpa,” she says, her voice a little wistful. “I’m glad we’re doing it again. Maybe we can make it a regular thing?”
“We can definitely do that,” Gavin answers.
“I’d like that too,” I add, my heart swelling as I look between the two of them.
By the time we get the horses back in the stables and head toward the house, I’m still smiling, my hand wrapped in Gavin’s as we walk. Jayla skips ahead of us, humming to herself.
“This has been the best day!” she sings out. “Oooh, you know what would make it perfect? Can we make a bonfire tonight and make smores?”
“That sounds perfect.” Gavin grins. “We used to do that all the time growing up. Do you remember some of those Sunday nights, Lena?”
“I do. Your parents would invite mine over after church for riding and lunch, and it always ended with smores at night.”
“We’d take turns at the other family’s house,” Gavin explains to Jayla. “Some of my favorite memories.”
“Dad always said that you two were high school sweethearts, but I never knew you grew up together like this.”
“Sometimes I don’t think your dad noticed me until my boobs came in.” I laugh.
“Well, he may not have, but I definitely did.”
“You loved to annoy me.”
“Still do,” he teases.
As we get closer to the house, something catches my eye. Something is wrong with the front door. I squint, trying to make sense of it, and my heart drops into my stomach when I see the shattered glass.
“Gavin,” I whisper, tugging on his hand to stop him.
He follows my gaze, his body still beside me. “Stay here,” he says sharply, his voice tense. He lets go of my hand and strides toward the door, his entire posture shifting into something hard and protective.
“Jay!” I call out, motioning for her to come back toward me.
I grab my phone and dial 911 with shaking hands. The operator picks up almost immediately, and I force myself to stay calm as I explain the situation.
“There’s been a break-in,” I say, my voice trembling as I watch Gavin disappear inside. “We need someone out here.”
The operator assures me that officers are on the way, but my mind is racing. Gavin is inside, and I don’t know what he’s found.
I do know that we’re so far out of city limits that it will be at least twenty minutes before any officers arrive.
Just as the thought crosses my mind, I hear Gavin yell.