Twenty-Six Sunny
Waking up in Levi’s bed feels like waking up in a dream I never want to end. The sheets are warm and soft, and they smell like him. I stretch lazily, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I reach out to wrap my arms around him, but my hand meets an empty, cool spot on the bed instead. I frown, still half-asleep, my eyes flutter open, squinting against the soft morning light that filters through the curtains. I glance around the room, expecting to see him getting dressed or maybe standing by the window, but the room is empty.
“Levi?”
I call out, my voice raspy from sleep. No answer.
For a moment, I just lie there, blinking up at the ceiling, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. Where could he be? I sit up slowly, glancing around the room for something to wear, and my eyes land on one of his T-shirts draped over the chair in the corner. It’s a little wrinkled, but it smells like him, and that’s all that matters. I slide out of bed, my feet hitting the cool wooden floor, and I quickly pull the T-shirt over my head. I love it. I feel wrapped up in him, in us.
As I pad down the stairs, I half-expect to hear him in the kitchen, but the house is eerily quiet. The only sound is the faint creak of the floorboards beneath my feet. Where on earth did he go? When I reach the kitchen, though, my confusion quickly melts into something else entirely. My breath catches in my throat as I take in the scene before me. On the counter, there’s a plate stacked high with pancakes—my favorite, fluffy, golden, and absolutely smothered in whipped cream and strawberries. Next to it, there’s a tall vase full of bright, cheerful sunflowers, their yellow petals practically glowing in the morning light.
But it’s the note beside the vase that really grabs my attention. My heart starts thudding in my chest, and those damn butterflies I always get around Levi start flapping like crazy. I reach for the note, my fingers trembling slightly as I pick it up.
To my darling Sunshine,
Happy birthday.
I wanted to start your day off right, so I made your favorite pancakes. But the real fun is just beginning. I’ve got a little surprise planned for you—a scavenger hunt. Each clue will lead you somewhere special, a place that means something to us. Follow the trail, and I promise you’ll like what you find at the end.
Now, because I know you love a little challenge, let’s make this interesting. For every clue you get right, I’ll tell you one thing I love about you. And trust me, I’ve got a whole list. But if you get a clue wrong… well, let’s just say I’ll have to think of a way to punish you. And don’t worry, daddy’s got plenty of ideas ;)
Get ready, sugar, and head over to the old barn. Today’s all about you.
—Levi
P.s. I’m going to apologise now for calling myself ‘daddy’…again. Bodhi will kill me when he finds out.
I can’t help the laugh that escapes me, and the grin that spreads across my face as I read the note. My heart feels like it’s doing somersaults in my chest, and I can’t stop the butterflies from fluttering in my stomach. He always knows exactly how to make me feel special, how to make everything feel like an adventure. But I also know him well enough to know that this scavenger hunt is going to be filled with all sorts of challenges. The thought sends a warm, shivery feeling through me, and I can’t wait to see what he’s got planned.
I glance back at the pancakes, my stomach growling in appreciation. I should probably eat first, but the excitement bubbling inside me is too much to ignore. I need to find Levi and start this hunt, like, now. I quickly grab a fork, taking a huge bite of the pancakes just to get a taste, they’re as delicious as they look. And still warm! The whipped cream is sweet, the strawberries perfectly ripe, and I can’t help but let out a little moan of satisfaction. I glance at the note again, rereading his words, and my heart swells with affection. He’s always thinking of me, always going out of his way to make me smile, to make me feel special. And it’s working—because right now, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
With one last look at the flowers, I turn and head for the door, excitement thrumming through my veins. Plus, the idea of Levi telling me all the things he loves about me… well, that’s motivation enough. But if I’m being honest, the thought of what kind of “punishments”
he’s got in mind if I get a clue wrong might be even more enticing.
Either way, I’m in for a hell of a birthday
***
As soon as I step inside the barn, the familiar earthy scent of hay wraps around me, and I can’t help but smile. I walk over to Clarabelle and Bessie, my heart doing a little flip when I spot one of with a bright red bow tied around it’s neck.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,”
I laugh out loud, shaking my head as I approach Bessie, one of the calves Levi brought back to the ranch. Although she’s not a calf anymore. She looks so innocent, chewing lazily while sporting it’s beautiful bow like it’s not part of Levi’s romantic scheme. I reach out and untie the bow, spotting a small envelope attached to the calf’s collar.
Opening the envelope, I pull out a note, the familiar scrawl of Levi’s handwriting making my heart flutter.
Clue #1:
You’ll find the first one at the place where we first met. A moment of awkwardness and chaos that turned into something much more.
I pause, laughing to myself. He’s talking about the coffee shop. The day I literally crashed into him, me spilling his coffee everywhere. How could I forget?
By the time I reach the coffee shop in town, my excitement has only grown. The little bell jingles as I push open the door, and I glance around, searching for the next clue. But instead of finding a note or another cow with a bow, I spot Paisley sitting at a corner table, grinning like she knows something I don’t.
“Well, well, look who it is,”
she says, pushing back her chair and standing up to pull me into a hug.
“I have something for you.”
“What are you doing here? I squeal, pulling her into a hug. “Levi’s roped you into this?” I laugh.
“He’s super bossy y’know,”
she laughs.
“Also, thanks for telling me that Levi is the coffee shop cowboy!”
She crosses her arms, like she’s sulking.
I burst out laughing, feeling my cheeks flush.
“It was awkward to talk about, okay!”
“Honestly, Sunny, only you could turn a meet-cute disaster into a romance novel.”
She hands me a folded piece of paper with a smirk. “Here’s your next clue, birthday girl, I love you.”
“I love you too, Pais,”
I give her a warm smile, genuinely grateful to have her as my best friend.
I open the note, eager to see where he’s sending me next.
Clue #2:
Congratulations on getting your first clue right!
One thing I love about you. The way you bite your bottom lip when you’re trying to hide your smile.
You’ll find your next hint where we shared our first kiss. Don’t forget to tip the bartender.
My heart does a little flip as I remember that night—the bar, the music, the way Levi looked at me right before he kissed me like I was the only person in the world. With a wave to Paisley, I head out, already knowing exactly where to go next.
***
The bar is quiet this time of day, no music playing, just the low hum of conversation from the handful of early patrons. When I walk in, my eyes land on Knox, sitting at the bar with a grin as wide as the sky.
“Well, fancy seeing you here,”
he says, hopping off his stool.
“I have something for you.”
I shake my head, laughing.
“Levi’s got you all involved, hasn’t he?”
Knox throws his head back laughing, “of course he has, it’s Levi.”
He hands over the envelope, and I tear it open, my fingers trembling with excitement as I read.
Clue #3:
You’re pretty good at this Sunshine. One thing I love about you. The sweet sound of your laugh, I want to make you laugh every day just so I can hear it.
The next clue. The most adventurous place we… you know. I’ll leave it at that. Someone’s waiting for you there with the next clue.
My face burns instantly. Oh, God. He’s really going there. I know exactly where this clue is pointing—the main barn.
***
I head to the barn, my heart pounding in my chest. When I get there, Bodhi’s lounging by the door, looking all too comfortable. As soon as he sees me, his face splits into a mischievous grin.
“Oh man, I was wondering when you’d get here,”
he says, holding up an envelope.
“But first, I need to ask… You two? Here?”
He gestures around the barn with exaggerated shock.
“In the barn?”
I let out a groan, covering my face with my hands.
“The office in the barn, actually.”
“THE OFFICE,”
He whisper yells, “I sit at that desk, Sun!”
He starts pacing with his hands on his head.
“Chill out, Bo,”
I laugh, snatching the clue from him, my cheeks burning as I open it. Levi’s never going to hear the end of this from Bodhi.
Clue #4:
I love the way your hands always settle on my chest.
You’ll find the next clue where we laughed and danced in the rain.
My mind immediately goes to Levi’s house, and I head off, leaving Bodhi still freaking out behind me.
***
When I reach the spot where Levi and I had danced in the rain, Noah’s there, sitting on the porch.
“Happy birthday, Sunny,”
he says, a warm sweet smile on his face.
He’s so adorable.
“Thank you, Noah.”
He hands me the next clue. “You’re getting closer.”
Clue #5:
Okay, this one is a little less ‘romantic.’ But that ass of yours. Holy shit. I love your ass.
The next place you need to go is where I threw you into the water. Sorry about that.
***
The last stop brings me to Colton, a smile spreads across his face when he sees me. He hands me the final note, and as I read it, I can’t stop the laugh that bursts out of me.
Clue #6:
The next place you need to go is where my dad demanded six grandbabies. You know the place.
Colton groans beside me.
“That man and his grandchildren. He won’t let it go.”
I laugh, “He told me whatever I gave him, you’ll have to make up the rest.”
“He’s going to get an earful from me later,”
Colton mutters, but there’s a teasing glint in his eyes.
“Happy birthday, Sun.”