Christian
After three days in the hospital, Sage drove us straight to the cabin.
I rarely got nervous about anything, but showing her the property had my stomach twisted in knots.
Would she think it's a dump? Because it arguably was. Would it spook her when she realizes I bought this with her in mind? Because I didn’t know if I could handle that disappointment right now after my prognosis.
The last thing I wanted was her to pull away from me.
I took a deep breath, hobbling on my crutches to meet Sage where she stood peering up at the cabin.
“Well, it seems Arlo approves,” I commented, seeing his tail wagging as he tracked every smell in our vicinity.
Her face was unreadable as she took it in, everything from the new wood and patching I’d done last month, to the porch that was still rotting in places.
“It’s rough in places, but Jude agreed to help me fix it up.
He and Romy made sure a room was set up for us.
We’ll just have to do little projects here and there.
” Her eyes swung to me, her brow pinching.
I swallowed, worried that this was indeed too much for her.
“I mean, I’ll be working on projects here and there. ”
She shook her head. “You shouldn’t. I don’t mind helping. The gallery is just about done and we’re going to do a soft opening in a couple of weeks. After that I’ll have more time.”
My brows shot up. “For real?”
A quiet chuckle rumbled her throat and I couldn’t help looking at the slender column of her neck wishing I could nuzzle right into the crook.
“Don’t seem so surprised. You’ve helped me, it’s the least I can do.”
I grinned. “In that case, wifey, I have something else to show you. Come with me.”
I turned on my crutches heading around the house along the cleared path.
“We really should get you inside to get your leg up,” she advised.
“I had it up the whole ride here.”
She’d insisted I sit in the back seat of her Jeep, propping up my leg with blankets from the hospital while we drove back from Portland.
I’d insisted on driving straight here. It was near impossible not to touch her while she was driving, and surprisingly enough she’d let me play with the loose hairs at her neck.
Every once in a while she’d say, “Okay. I need to focus now.” It would send a thrill through me knowing my touch affected her and I couldn’t wait to get her here.
I needed to touch her, hold her to me, even if it was in the privacy of the house.
I didn’t look back, knowing she and Arlo were following close behind.
We rounded the side of the house and I stopped where the snow was piled up, but there was a view of the shed.
I’d asked Jude to turn on the lights for her.
Large picture windows were now installed in the rustic wood walls, studio lights were on inside allowing us a clear view of the secondhand desk I found, a jar of paintbrushes, and a selection of oil paints.
An easel with a clean canvas stood in front of the back window that looked out toward the tree line and the snowy mountain tops.
“What’s this?” she asked.
I turned to look at her then. Puffs of frozen breath escaped her parted lips, her eyes were round in surprise, and her cheeks were pink from the cold. Her beauty just about brought me to my knees as I held my breath hoping she liked it.
“A studio.”
“Christian—” she began.
“I knew what it was as soon as I saw it. It couldn’t be anything other than an art studio. Your art studio.”
Her brown eyes darted to mine, the winter sun glinting off the starbursts. I took a stilted step toward her, reaching out to tuck loose strands behind her ear. She tipped her head, leaning her cheek into my palm. Tingles shot up my arm. My chest ached seeing her eyes glisten.
“You’re too good to me,” she whispered. “I don’t deserve any of this.”
“I don’t know anyone more deserving.”
The future flashed through my mind, picturing her spending hours in there painting while I brought her food to keep her fed, Arlo curled up at her feet, the children and I planting flowers around the shed to inspire her art, and years later when it's just her and I, our hair gray and our eyes crinkled, I’d sit in the chair reading while she painted because I couldn’t imagine being without her for one second while our time ticked down.
She opened her mouth to speak.
“Don’t argue with me, star fire. I did this for you.
All of this. I always knew I wanted a future with you.
As soon as you bought Arlo, it only made me want it even more.
I might have bought this on a whim, but not one part of me regrets it.
Even if you decide you don’t want this marriage and this house, this studio will still be yours to use. ”
Her lips tipped then. “Stop being so obsessed with me, rodeo star.”
I scoffed. “Not possible, baby. You have me leashed and collared.”
“Well, I’m not giving you a kiss for it.” A teasing glint shone in her eyes.
“You know me. I like a challenge and if you haven’t figured it out by now, I have the patience of a lion.”
“A lion?”
“Why do you think they’re ambush predators? I’m just waiting until I can pounce.”
She genuinely laughed and I dropped my hand so we could head back to the house. “I don’t think you’ll be doing any pouncing anytime soon.”
Sobering myself, I welcomed the nerves. It had been two weeks since Vegas. “All jokes aside, I hope you can see I’m serious about making this work.”
A soft smile warmed her face as we slowly walked back around to the front of the cabin. “I see it.” Arlo pounced through the snow to join us. “I think we’re both right where we need to be.”
Jude
Hey man! How are you doing post-op?
Me
These drugs are fucking fantastic. Also, they have this ice contraption hooked up to my knee. I told Sage the tube attached to it was my catheter. I don’t think she bought it though.
Jude
Oh yeah! The ice machine! That worked great after my surgeries.
Jude
I contacted my old trainer, Alex, and he has some time next month to come out to help. He helped me after my knee surgery. He’ll have you in rodeo shape in no time.
Me
You’re too good to me, boo. You did an amazing job helping get the place together for us, too. Tell Romy thank you! Whose idea were the satin sheets?
Jude
Believe it or not, Romy. She thinks you need to work on your game.
Me
What are you talking about??? I got game.
Jude
Just because we all know you’re persistent enough to wear Sage down to date you, doesn’t mean you’ve got game. You both had to be wasted in Vegas before she actually married you. Remember?
Me
You think she wouldn’t have married me without getting trashed? I put a ring on it. I built her a freakin’ art studio in our backyard! Your man is a smoooooooth operator.
Jude
Ok trick daddy. Have you taken her out on a date?
Me
Not really … I mean the only date I took her on, she insisted Kale join us. But I have some ideas.
Jude
Seems you’ll have a lot of time on your hands now. Talk to Lina, she knows what her girl likes.
Me
You wound me. You don’t think I know what she likes? Obsessed, remember? I’ve been watching her for three years now, cataloging every single thing that gets that woman going. I. KNOW. WHAT. SHE. LIKES.
Jude
Annoying her and turning her on are two very different things, man.
Me
Bro! Have you seen my abs? I still have an eight pack, DADDY. Retirement is making you soft, Bull.
Jude
Asshole, you better take me up on training with Alex, or you’re also going to get soft. It’s not just retirement, it’s all the butter they use in marriage. Prepare yourself.
Me
Mmmmm butter. Maybe you should’ve given us rubber sheets instead.
Jude
You’re not going to baste her like a turkey.
Me
I disagree.
Jude
Does Sage know what she’s signed up for?
Me
I think she’s figuring it out.
Jude
Talk to Lina about this. I just can’t.
Me
You love me, bro.
Jude
I know why you get on Sage’s nerves too.
ADHD and knee surgery recovery weren’t fucking compatible.
Three weeks laid up in that drafty, but fucking incredible rustic cabin had me crawling out of my skin.
The few times I’d been to physical therapy wasn’t enough to douse my restlessness.
It didn’t help that I had to watch Sage come and go, not knowing if she was safe as she went to work in her gallery or to the bar.
Arlo was always there to keep me company and thankfully my dad set up satellite TV, but you could only watch so many Family Guy reruns before you too wanted to kill Lois.
Not knowing if Clayton was still around town or if he’d show back up, I couldn’t wait around a moment longer. If it meant coming to pick her up from work even when I was injured and on crutches, I’d fucking do it. I’d crawl on my belly to reach her if I had to.
It probably wasn’t a good idea to attempt driving into town, but I just couldn’t lay there another second.
Throwing my crutches in the truck bed, I slowly pulled myself up into the driver’s seat, wincing when a sharp pain shot through my side where my ribs were still healing.
Fortunately, it was my left knee that was in a brace and not my driving leg, so I was still able to push the pedals.