CH 48 - #seeyousoon
#seeyousoon
Madison
After I left Luke’s and arrived back at the ranch house, my sister was standing on the other side of the front door, waiting for me.
She was one big grin, too, and asked me how it’d gone with my cowboy.
I told her everything. She then asked me when I was putting my house on the market to sell and move to Amarillo.
I wasn’t nearly ready to make that huge step, if ever.
Although Luke and I were still so crazy about each other and healing our relationship, that didn’t mean I was for uprooting my life in Dallas.
Yep, I loved the country way of living on the ranch, but the city still pulled at me.
Also, I didn’t think my employer would want to keep me on board if I moved to the Texas Panhandle.
On top of that, I still feared that Luke would realize, over time, I was too much to handle if we got back together officially.
For now, we were friends and becoming lovers again while co-parenting. It was complicated to say the least.
It was early Tuesday morning now, three days since my dad’s memorial.
I was sitting on the front porch of the ranch house as the first streaks of sunlight stretched across the eastern horizon, sipping my cup of coffee while waiting for Luke.
He was going to tell me goodbye before heading back to Culberson Ranch with Casper until Friday, then return here to spend the weekend with me and “our kids.” Every time he said those two words, I melted.
When I saw his big black Chevy dually approaching with the horse trailer behind it, my heart cinched. As Luke parked and got out of his truck, I walked down the porch steps toward him, fighting back my emotions.
“Come here, baby,” Luke said, reaching his arms out toward me.
I fell into them, then fell apart. “I don’t want you and Casper to leave,” I cried.
“I don’t want us to leave either, but we’re coming back.”
“This hurts so much. I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Look at me, Madison.”
I did as tears fell from my eyes.
“These circumstances won’t be forever. I have faith that everything will work out so we can be together in one place. I don’t know where it will be, but it’s going to happen. I feel it in my gut,” he said.
“I know it will never be in Dallas.”
“Well, there are horse ranches there, so you never know. But one step at a time.”
“It’s so strange how it’s only been three days since you came back into my life, but it feels like weeks. Months even.”
“I know. Please kiss and hug our girl and boy for me after they wake up.”
“I will. But do you really feel like Bella is yours?”
“Yep. I love that fiery little redheaded girl with emerald eyes. It’s like I’m getting a double dose of you, and I couldn’t want for more.”
“She asked me yesterday if she could call you daddy.”
“What did you tell her?”
“To talk to you about it. She said she would, seeming very sure of herself, like she already knew you’d say yes.”
“Because I would, as long as you’re okay with it.”
“I am.”
Luke nodded, then reached into his back blue jeans pocket and handed me a folded envelope.
“What is this?” I asked.
“It’s to help you with Bella and Beau.”
I opened the envelope. It was full of cash. “Luke, I don’t need this, but thank you. I’m fine.”
“The father in me is going to provide for my family. Stash the money away for later, or go spend it all on you, Bella, and Beau. Splurge. I don’t care, but you’re going to take it from me. Alright?”
I searched his eyes, getting choked up again. “Alright.”
“I’ve got to go, but I need a kiss from you first.”
I threw my arms around his neck and gave him that kiss. Afterward, we looked at each other and smiled.
“You’re so gorgeous, Madison.
“And you’re so handsome, cowboy.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I’ll be back before you know it.”