Chapter Seventeen
Rosie
Two Years Later
I stand at the end of the driveway with a basket of fresh baked goods. I’d only planned to put bread, eggs, and flowers out at the roadside stand, but it’s turned into so much more. The guys have built me a bifold stand that holds three top-to-bottom racks for goods. People here really seem to love the variety.
Aside from the items I’d planned, I’ve been making all kinds of seasonal cookies and jams. This week I’m trying out a few spice jars with herbs from the garden, and I’ve left a number of paintings that people might be interested in. Most of them are of the barn or places around the farm that I enjoy spending time in. The hayloft has a particularly great view of the mountains at sunrise, though I haven’t been up there since before I got pregnant.
“You’re not supposed to be out here,” Owen says, kissing my lips gently. “I thought we agreed you’re on bedrest.”
I know I should learn to listen… just a little, but clearly, I have a problem with that. “I’m headed inside now. I just wanted to get the inventory stocked before people started coming by.” I’ve noticed that we see most of our traffic in the early morning hours and again around four o’clock, though we do have a few folks that’ll meander by randomly throughout the day.
I set the last of the herbs out for sale, check that the payment box is locked, and hook into Owen’s arm as we make our way up the walk toward the old farmhouse we’ve recently renovated. It’s a good thing, too. We’re going to need the extra space with triplets on the way.
We hired out some of the work, but most of the labor came straight from the three men I love more than anyone on this planet. They put up walls, tore down wallpaper, reconfigured the kitchen, put in new appliances, and turned the old farmhouse into an eight-bedroom mini mansion, complete with every modern fixture and appliance I’d ever dreamed of—while keeping the vintage charm of the place intact.
The money from Fantasy Driver was a huge help in making that dream come true, but the memories of all the guys bare chested, working together to make my visions a reality is what will stick in my head forever.
“What are you ready for tonight? The guys and I are thinking Mexican and trash TV?”
I lean into him as he helps me up the front porch and into the house, trying not to feel as helpless as I am. It was hard when the doctor told me I couldn’t use the nursing degree I just finished. Even harder when he put me on bed rest, but I know that’s what’s best for the babies. Besides, now that I’m home nesting, I sort of like this farmcore life. It’s wholesome and slow, honest and fulfilling.
Hawk grins wide the second he sees me, his hands outstretched for my swollen stomach. “Oh, my baby, and all these babies. You’re the prettiest little pregnant lady I’ve ever seen.”
“I feel like a beach ball. No, bigger than a beach ball… a yoga ball . I’m a bouncing yoga ball.”
He leans down, lifts my shirt, and kisses my stomach three times before lifting to my lips with a groan. “The prettiest yoga ball I’ve ever seen.”
I can’t help but smile. The last year has been exciting for him. He broke the market here in the US with his most recent book. It’s about a girl who was almost kidnapped by a crazy man looking for virgins. Trouble is, she was actually kidnapped by her best friend and subsequently fell in love with three big, hardworking men. It’s not his normal genre, but it turns out, people are good at writing what they know. “Are we celebrating this New York Times thing or what?”
“Yeah, I told her… Mexican and trash TV. I was going to request your churro cookies, but maybe it’s best if you tell me how to make them while you rest.”
If my back weren’t currently spasming, I’d make him cookies, but there’s no way I can stand up in the kitchen long enough to finish a batch today. “What if I help you celebrate in other ways?”
He grins and tightens his grip around what’s left of my waist. “Yeah? What are you thinking?” God, this man has a nice smile.
“Well, my knees still work.”
He groans and bites at the side of my neck, breathing hot air along the lobe of my ear. “Oh, that’s not a lie, and I’d agree it’s much better than cookies. Let’s do that,” he kisses me again and again, “after your nap. Moose is already in the bedroom. He was up all night with Penny. She finally had her foal.”
A rush of excitement runs through me. There are so many small things about running this farm that I didn’t realize I’d love as much as I do. One in particular has been watching new life come into the world. The baby goats, baby chicks, baby foals, baby calves, baby ducks, baby everything . I can’t wait until the triplets are here to experience it all with us. I already spend too much time imagining them up on the tractor, or in the office with Hawk writing books, or out at the shop with Owen fixing trucks. I love that our boys will have three strong men to look up to.
“Sounds good.” I kiss him again and hold firm against his chest for a lingering moment before heading to the bedroom at the end of the house. We haven’t done much work in that room since the kidnapping, but we did extend it a little wider so we could slide another bed in. Turns out, we like sleeping together more than we thought we would. Sure, I’ll take a date night alone with each of the guys separately here and there, but for the most part, we’re a family. We do everything together. It’s been like that since our commitment ceremony.
The event was small, but we had those closest to us attend here at the farm. The men wore jeans and navy button downs, and I wore a long lace dress. The day was simple and sweet, and the people we love were accepting, especially Jen. I’m not sure it could’ve gone any better. Plus, we have the memories right here on the farm to look back on.
Trying to be quiet, I tiptoe across the room, avoiding the creaking floorboards. I’ve come to learn them all quite well. It’s a hop, skip, hop with a twist, center stage. Maybe I should’ve been a dancer. Right now, I think I’d audition for a role as a dancing hippo.
I sit on the edge of the bed as softly as possible, trying not to wake Moose, but it’s no use. His giant hand lands on my hip and he pulls me close.
“You made a mistake coming back here,” he says, his tone low and warm against my shoulder.
“Yeah? Why’s that?” I smile and cuddle in next to him, absorbing the warmth that emanates off his body.
“Well… now I’m not letting you go.” He rubs his rough hand over my stomach and peppers kisses against my shoulder.
“Who said I was leaving?” I snuggle my ass back into his bulging cock.
“Oh, little girl. Mouthy already this morning?” he grumbles against the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
“What are you gonna do about it?” I smile and squirm back and forth against his hard dick—admittedly trying to get him going.
He lifts up from the bed and pins me beneath his giant frame. “I’m gonna spank that ass. Come on… bend over. I love seeing that big, round belly and that amazing ass on display for me.”
I do as he’s asked, and lift onto all fours, bending forward to pop my ass into the air.
“Are you being mouthy this morning?” he growls, his big rough hand rubbing circles on my backside.
“Yeah, I am.” My clit twitches with anticipation. “I’ve been really mouthy, and I didn’t come inside and rest like Owen asked me to.”
“Bad girl.” He lands a hard smack on my ass, sending vibrations through me. “Bad, bad girl.” Another spank, and then another, until my skin is stinging.
The door creaks open. “It sounded like we were missing something.” Hawk grins and climbs into bed, kissing my shoulder as he rubs my stomach.
I turn over and lay flat on my back as the men I love surround me. Their hands are wild and rough, spreading over my stomach, my thighs, and my breasts. Their hot breath against my skin. Their warm kiss on my lips.
I’m in heaven.
A year ago, I thought losing my virginity was the end of an era. Turns out, it was only the beginning. I’ve built a home with three of the best men I know, and I’ve found purpose where there wasn’t any before. But most of all, I’ve found love. A community. A place to belong. A place where I’m safely harbored from the craziness of the world. A place tucked along the river’s edge where wildflowers and chickens grow free. A place with big, rough hands, and the warmest of hugs. A little place I like to call, Barbie’s Dreamhouse.