Chapter 48
[Stone]
My family turned Simon’s return into a party of sorts, but by noon, I was shooing everyone out. Simon and Trudy looked exhausted. Taxi and Jolene as well.
Earlier, I’d caught the tail end of a conversation between them.
“I’m leaving,” Jolene said.
“Already?” Taxi says, surprised but also not surprised.
“Soon,” Jolene says. “Tanzania.”
“Really?” Taxi arched a brow. “Is that the story you’re going with?”
Jolene shrugged. “It’s better than being alone.”
Taxi opened her mouth, then shut it. She reached for her sister’s shoulders. “You do you,” she said softly. “I’ll be here if you need me.”
“You’re really staying?” Jolene questioned.
“I’m really staying,” Taxi confirmed.
Jolene looked like she didn’t know how to respond. She just nodded at her sister and stepped away from Taxi.
When Taxi looked at me, she mouthed, Later.
I’ll hear all about it. Later. Because we have more time together. In fact, we’re just getting started.
I’m taking out the trash when I find Taxi standing near the side of the house, staring at Trudy’s backyard, where Judd built a giant playset after Simon arrived.
“Whatcha doing out here?” I ask, following her gaze.
“Looking for blue aliens,” she teases.
“Did you find any?”
Her arms are crossed, and she twists toward me. “Nope. Only a silver fox.”
My face heats, and Taxi reaches for my cheek, following what I assume is a blush over the tops of my cheeks and around my ear.
“Lucky man,” I chuckle.
“Lucky woman.” She points to her chest.
“Darlin’.” My throat is thick for about the hundredth time today. The past twenty hours have been a whirlwind.
Taxi leans closer to me. “How would you feel about getting out of this place?” She tips her head toward the house. “Simon and Trudy need to rest, and I think everyone could use a little space.”
I rub my hands up her arms.
“What did you have in mind?”
“I could invite you into my room.” She glances toward the driveway, where we see a sliver of Gloria, before looking back at me.
“Or we could go to mine.” I settle my hands on her hips, loving how easily they fit there, pulling her closer to me.
Taxi giggles. “You did say you had a bigger bed.” She walks her fingers up my chest.
“You still trying to get into my pants?” I joke.
“Always.” Her voice is breathy as she looks up at me, then pats over my badge. “But I’d rather be in your heart.”
“Always,” I confirm, leaning in for a kiss. One that seals my vow and sets forth all the promises. To love her, honor her, protect her.
Be here for her, because she’ll be here for me, too.
She chose me, and I picked her right back.
“I love you,” I say to her.
“I love you, too, Stone Sylver.”