Chapter 51
“Promise you can’t see anything?” Connor asks for the umpteenth time.
He stopped me before I could go into the stables and tied a bandana around my eyes. He carried me and set me in his truck, and we drove for a few minutes before abruptly stopping.
He’s been guiding me to god knows where on foot and instead of anxiously wondering where he’s taking me, I’m thoroughly enjoying whatever has my big strong husband acting like a sweet little puppy.
“Yes, Connor, I promise. My eyes are even closed beneath the bandana, so I doubly can’t see anything.”
Snow crunches beneath our boots and I’m growing more confused by the minute. We would’ve reached anywhere within walking distance by now—the barn, the main house, Izzy and Reid’s house, the guest houses, even the farthest one.
“Ok. We’re almost there,” he says, his hands shaking, one holding mine, the other on the small of my back.
Connor guides me to a stop and removes his hands from my body. It’s our joint birthday, so I’m not surprised he’s arranged a surprise. But I can’t for the life of me figure out what it could be.
He removes my blindfold.
“Can I open my eyes, now?” I ask playfully.
“Yes. Open your eyes,” he says, taking both my hands in his.
When I do, Connor is framed by the picturesque backdrop of the snow-covered land that makes up Lucky Spurs Ranch. Blurred shapes of other buildings on the property float in the distance, but I can’t orient myself to where we are.
“Before I give you your surprise, I have some secrets I need to confess.” He gulps.
I know he’d never hurt me, so I’m filled with curiosity instead of dread.
“Remember when you were in third grade and the school office told you you’d won a drawing for a new backpack?” he asks.
“Yesssss…”
“I was sad yours had ripped and your parents wouldn’t buy you a new one. So, I took all my allowance and bought you one, and had the office ladies help me give it to you.”
My chest tightens, tears immediately pricking my eyes.
“Remember your senior year when the school guidance counselor said you’d qualified for the new free breakfast and lunch program?”
Lower lip trembling, I nod.
“I pre-paid for all your meals that year since I’d graduated, and I needed to know you always had something to eat.”
My throat constricts, struggling to swallow the revelation Connor is why I didn’t starve that year.
“Remember how you couldn’t recall ever applying for the scholarship that paid for all your college expenses these past few years?”
Tears track down my cheeks, frozen from the cold but burning with emotion, but I nod.
“You were working yourself to the bone trying to support yourself and Ivy without Izzy around and paying for school. You were killing yourself. I made your advisor swear they’d never tell you where the money came from, just that it was a scholarship,” he admits.
“You…paid for everything all these years? My tuition, books, seminars? My bank account was always full, they told me it was a living stipend…”
Realizations are rushing in faster than the tears escaping my eyes.
Connor tightens his grasp on my hands and swings our arms in and out, nerves showing.
“Remember when you were ten and I promised someday you’d have the white house with the blue door?” he asks.
“The one by the library? It belongs to the town…”
“It’s the one promise I made over the years I can’t keep, and you’ll never know how sorry I am. Baby, I tried everything. I saved every spare dollar I’ve ever made to buy that house for you, but it wasn’t meant to be.” Devastation flashes across his handsome face.
“But…we only got together—” A few months ago…
“I know. It didn’t matter. I promised you’d have that house, and I was hopelessly in love with you, even if you never felt the same way. It was something I had to do, because you deserve everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
My bottom lip will surely bruise from how hard I’m chewing on it, mind reeling processing the whole truth of how much Connor’s sacrificed for me over the years, how he took care of me and kept me going even during the darkest times—knowing he may never have me.
I huff a laugh because it still gets me sometimes how if one of us had been brave enough to confess our feelings, it would’ve saved us years of unrequited love and heartache.
“I can’t give you the white house with the blue door by the library. But I can give you a white house with a blue door of your own.” His chocolate eyes melt in the sunlight.
He releases my hands. “Turn around, dollface.”
I’m tremoring head to toe, and not from the cold. I slowly turn around and revel in Connor’s warmth at my back.
This can’t be real. I’m dreaming, right?
“Happy birthday, and welcome home, baby,” Connor says with a kiss to my temple.
An immaculate cabin has been erected on an area of Lucky Spurs Ranch I’ve never been to. The single-story rancher sprawls so wide I can’t fathom how many rooms lie within. Wide, white wooden planks wrap around the facade like icing around a cake.
The front door shines like a sapphire dead center of the structure, flanked with stained glass windows that reflect rainbows from the bright sun.
The roof overhangs the house by at least eight feet, covering an expansive porch that wraps around the front exterior to the sides. Does it continue around back?
Knotty wood stained a brilliant chestnut supports the oversized rocking chair by the front door. Large enough for both of us to sit or lay comfortably.
“Connor…” I whisper, leaning into his sturdy chest. His strong arms wrap around me, and I cling to his forearms for dear life.
“Do you want to go inside your new house, doll? How did I not put it together sooner? This is your dollhouse.” His chuckle vibrates through my back, and I feel him smile into my hair.
He moves to my side, an arm around my waist, and guides me up the porch stairs onto the patio, and through the brilliant blue front door.
The space is overwhelming, but in the most welcoming, wrap-you-in-a warm-hug, way. The love built into these walls radiates all around us.
“You did all this?” I ask, incredulous.
“With help from our found family, yes. I couldn’t give you the house you dreamed of, but hopefully I’ve built you the house we’ll make a life together in, making new dreams.”
I turn into Connor and sob, fingers desperately clutching his coat.
“Please don’t cry. If you don’t like it I’ll change anything you want,” he pleads.
“Don’t you dare,” I say into his chest. “It’s perfect.”
He lifts me from my hiding place and bends down to my level.
“I can’t believe you did this for me, Connor,” I say through tears.
“You have no idea the lengths I’d go to make you happy. You’ve had me wrapped around your finger since I was eight years old. The only difference now, is I’m wrapped around your ring finger, as you are around mine.” He smiles that smile that melts my heart and my panties at the same time.
“Before I give you the grand tour, there’s something I’d like to show you first.” He raises his eyebrows excitedly, and walks us through the living space, combined kitchen-dining room, to a mud room.
“There’s someone important waiting to see you.” Connor motions for me to go first through the back door.
The back patio opens to a paddock with a small stable big enough to fit two horses comfortably.
I walk slowly down the porch, through the gate into the paddock, quivering the entire way. I look to Connor for permission to keep going and he chuckles.
“Don’t keep ‘em waiting.”
My feet carry me to the expertly constructed stable. I open the man door and sink to the perfectly clean floor.
“Oh my god!” I cry, pouring my heart onto the ground, Connor rubbing my back soothingly, waiting for me to be ready.
He helps me to my feet, and I realize I’m not dreaming. This is real. Connor’s made every one of my dreams come true.
“Hey there, girl.” Hope’s velvet muzzle tickles my palm, searching for a treat.
Not taking my eyes from her, I ask, “How?”
“It was a team effort, really. Tanya witnessed you bond with Biscuit so deeply, she nearly offered to sell him to Reid for the program. But Reid had a better idea. He’d been keeping a close eye on you and Hope and saw something growing there.
I told him how much you loved her, and we knew she belonged with you.
It’s not every day someone meets their heart-horse, but you did the day you laid eyes on Hope,” he explains, and I try desperately to absorb every word.
“She’s mine?”
“She’s yours, baby.”
I don’t bother drying the tears anymore, rather letting them fall like drops of joy, christening this unforgettable moment.
“Welcome home, Hope. Wanna be my best girl?” I ask, lavishing love on her sleek face and down her neck.
She nickers, leaning into my touch, telling me she’s happy to be here too.
A soft snort leads me to the other stall housing a massive bay gelding waiting for a dose of attention.
The horse is a rich chestnut with a striking white blaze down the center of his face. He’s stunning. Somehow, he suits Connor perfectly.
“He’s a gentle giant. Came in with the last batch of rescues. Maybe he can join your program alongside Hope. Besides, I need a mount if I’m going to keep up with you, because you’re going to take over the world, baby.” His belief in me never ceases to amaze me.
“What’s his name?” I ask in awe.
“Rocket.” Connor laughs that deep laugh that warms my heart. “Which is hilarious considering the big guy won’t even trot without serious bribery.”
I launch into Connor’s unprepared arms, and he stumbles back, catching me and keeping us upright. I plant a grateful kiss on his lips, broken by the smile splitting my face.
“Thank you. For everything you’ve ever done for me. I love you more than the moon and the stars, Connor Hayes.”
“It’s been my honor. Nothing makes me happier than taking care of you. I love you more than the sun lights the sky, because baby, you’re even brighter.”
He wraps me in one of his incredible bear hugs around my middle and I yelp.
“Ouch!” Shit. I thought I could keep the secret longer than a few hours…
“What? What’s wrong?” Connor scrambles, trying to find the source of my pain. I wiggle out of his arms back onto my feet.
“It seems silly now, but I have a birthday surprise for you too.”
Connor frowns, waiting for me to explain. I unzip my jacket and shuck it off—his confusion only growing.
I lift my shirt, exposing my stomach. Connor drops to his knees, gripping me by the hips.
Long moments pass where he can’t form words, and he doesn’t dare touch it.
“It’s your sun,” I say.
Tears blanket his gaze. “You covered your scar. Baby, this had to have hurt. When? Why?” he stammers.
“Just before you kidnapped me.” I chuckle.
“Izzy went with me to the new shop just out of town. My scar was the last part of me I haven’t healed from on the inside. And nothing makes me feel more accepted than you. I gave the artist a photo of your sun tattoo and this is what they created. Do you like it?” I ask, afraid of his response.
“Like it? I love it. Baby, it’s fucking sexy. You’re such a badass.” He softly kisses around the tattoo, careful not to touch it.
I pull Connor to his feet and take him by the hand, letting my shirt fall back into place. “I’m ready for the grand tour of our new home, husband.”
He makes a show of checking the time before shooting me a devilish grin.
“We best get moving because we’ve got a lot of rooms to christen before our birthday dinner at the main house.”
With that, I scamper away from his wandering hands, laughing from the heart and loving this life of mine.