Chapter 8
Charlotte
The sadnessof the weekend ending has hit me like a freight train. I’m trying my best to keep it together. With every passing minute, it’s getting harder and harder. Dean made sure I had the perfect morning. Starting with breakfast in bed. We made love in the shower, then again in bed and plenty of cuddles. Now all I want to do it sit on the floor and cry. Which is silly because I will see Dean in a month when he moves to Hope Cove. He is staying at the ranch to finish up his training session and help find his replacement. But there’s this thread of fear that Dean will disappear again, that I can’t shake. I just found him again and I don’t want to lose him.
“Sunflower, get out of your head.” Dean circles his arms around my waist and hugs me to his chest. “It’s. Just. A. Month.” He punctuates each word with a kiss down my neck. “I promise to FaceTime you every day. Before you know it, we will be together.” His words work to soothe my nerves.
“I know, but it’s hard to leave you.” He turns me in his arms. His hand comes up to my chin. Tilting my head until we are looking into each other’s eyes. Those deep brown eyes are so full of love. Love for me.
“It’s killing me too. This is just a single moment in our lifetime together. Once this month is over, I am never leaving you again. I promise. I love you, Charlotte. You are my girl. Forever and always.”
“I love you too, Dean. You are my sexy cowboy forever and always.” I grin, feeling lighter already. Dean just knows how to make me feel better.
“You really like that I’m a cowboy, don’t you?”
“Hell yeah I do.” It turns into a squeal as Dean tickles my sides. My giggles fill the bunkhouse. The knock on the door has us both freezing. I look up at Dean. Sadness glosses over the joy from moments ago.
“Lets get you home, sunflower.” Dean grabs my bags in one hand and holds out the other for me. I lace our fingers together and follow Dean outside. We take our time walking out to the van. My heart gets sadder with every step. Dean hands the bags over to the driver, then scoops me into his arms. I’m afraid to let him go because he is the only thing keeping me together at this moment. If he lets go, I may break into a million pieces.
“One month and I am all yours, sunflower.” He dips his head down and seals his lips to mine. His kiss is deep and passionate. It feels like he is transferring his strength to me. I made it through six years without him. I can go a few days more, right?
He helps me into the car, then gives me one last kiss. “I love you,” he whispers into our kiss.
“I love you too.”
The door closes and we start to pull away. I look out the back window. Watching Dean get further and further away. Tears streaming down my face.
I can hear his voice in my head saying, “One month and I am all yours, sunflower.”
* * *
It’s been two weeks since I said goodbye to Dean and left Iron H. I miss him like crazy. We talk every night and it usually ends with him making me come. It’s not the same. I miss falling asleep in his arms. The ability to hug and kiss him whenever I want. At this point, I am just going through the motions. Burying myself in my work. Thankfully, there has been a lot to do to get the clinic ready to open soon. As well as helping my sister, Hannah, get moved in to her house here on the farm. It’s been wonderful having her home. She moved to Indiana after college to be close to her college boyfriend. Unfortunately, she caught him cheating with their neighbor, who was married. The worst part, her husband, was the principal at the school where Hannah taught. It was a colossal mess, and she ended up homeless and fired. Although the circumstances surrounding her move home aren’t great, she is here and surrounded by the people who love her.
“Come on sad sack and have some pie with me.” Hannah pulls me out of my head and I get a glimpse of the spread on the dining room table. Holy pie fest! I count six pies from the new pie shop in town. Hannah has been going there daily. She says it’s because she likes the pies. I think she likes the pie shop owner Beau Hudson.
“Damn Hannah, did you clean the shop out? We will never eat all of this.”
“It’s not all for us. I’m going to take some to Tate.” She says shyly. I don’t buy it. Tate hates pie, which is a problem all on its own. Who hates pie?
“Hannah, just ask Beau out already. I’m sure he would happily eat your pie,” I tease.
“Oh my god, Charlotte, stop.” Her face turns beat red. “I’m not interested in dating anyone right now. Let alone have someone eat my pie, as you so eloquently put it. Beau is just a friend.”
Before I can argue, there’s a familiar rumble coming from outside the house. My heart leaps in my chest. Could it be who I think it is? I leap out of my chair, sending it crashing to the floor. Hannah is hot on my heels as I race for the door. The door smacks against the wall in my haste to get to get outside. My feet come to a stop at the edge of the porch when I see Dean standing next to his car.
“Is that him?” Hannah asks behind me. She sees him, which means I’m not just imagining he’s here.
“Hey sunflower.” His words have my feet working again, running straight into his open arms. He picks me up off my feet and spins us around.
“What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming for another two weeks.”
“Cody couldn’t stand looking at my sad mug and sent me packing. I’ve been miserable without sunflower.” He hugs me tighter. It feels so damn good to be back in his arms.
“I’ve been barely surviving without you,” I confess.
“We have each other now.” He sets me back on my feet. I turn away for a second to tell Hannah to come meet Dean. She’s looking back at me with wide eyes and pointing at something behind me. I turn back to find Dean down on one knee, holding a velvet box in his hand, which he opens to reveal a beautiful diamond ring.
“Charlotte, I love you more than anything in this world. My life begins and ends with you. I know this is fast, but I don’t want to waste another minute not spending the rest of my life with you. Charlotte Benson, will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?”
“Yes, YES! I’ll be your wife.” He slides the ring on my finger and scoops me up in his arms and kisses me. Hannah is cheering and shouting behind us.
“I love you, I love you, I love you,” I say between kisses. I can’t wait to start this next chapter with Dean by my side.