Chapter 10
Bree
“I’ll see you later tonight,” Dalton says as he sets me on the ground outside of his truck.
We spent the weekend together, tucked away in his cabin. It was just the two of us in our own little cocoon, and it was amazing and wonderful.
Dalton waited on me hand and foot. He made me feel like a queen. We made love so many times I lost count. He cooked me all my meals. I helped him paint and spruce up his cabin. Spending our time together felt like the most natural thing in the world.
“I’ll see you then,” I respond as he presses a gentle kiss to my forehead.
Max and Rex whine like they want to come with him, but Dalton scowls at them. “Keep in mind who feeds you here,” he gripes at them.
“Yes, but I’m the one who loves them,” I respond, giving both dogs affectionate scratches behind the ears.
They really are the best boys. They love following me around the cabin.
It could be that I sneak them treats when Dalton isn’t looking, but he doesn’t need to know that I’ve been bribing his dogs to like me.
He stands by the truck with Max and Rex, waiting until I’m safely inside the retirement community building before the three of them go toward the tents that have already been pitched in preparation for the dance.
There’s a lot to do if he hopes to get everything set up in time, but I know he has plenty of friends from Bronco’s farm to help.
The moment I’m in the door, Lauren abandons her desk and hurries over. The smile on her face tells me that she knows where I’ve been all weekend. More than that, she knows exactly what I’ve been doing. My cheeks heat at the thought.
“You have to spill all the details,” she squeals, like we’re middle school girls and not two professional women at work.
Ryan looks up from his book and glares at us.
I mouth sorry and turn my attention to Lauren. “Follow me.”
The moment I step inside my office, I spot the letter on my desk. My heart skips a beat.
I can’t believe he sent me another letter. I’m pretty sure it’s him, but it doesn’t matter. Dalton is the man I’m completely in love with and want to spend the rest of my life with. I think he feels the same way.
The moment the door is closed, Lauren props against the wall, folds her arms against her chest, and says, “Spill it.”
I take a seat in my chair and giggle like I’m a kid again. “Dalton is amazing. He makes me so happy.”
“Does he take care of you?” she asks, her voice taking on the note I imagine a protective sister would use.
“Such good care,” I say. “He’s so gentle and kind. He makes me feel like I’m not alone anymore, like I have someone in my corner.”
Her features soften into a smile. “I always thought he had a marshmallow center.”
I can’t help the dreamy smile stretching across my face. “He’s rugged and tough and sweet all at the same time.”
Then I launch into a recap of our entire weekend. Though I don’t tell her everything, I give her enough of the spicy details that she is fanning herself by the end.
“Wow,” she sighs. “I’m so glad you guys are together.”
“Me too,” I say.
I don’t tell her that we haven’t really officially talked about forever, but I’m pretty sure that’s where we’re headed. Everything with him feels right and easy.
There’s no niggling suspicion in the back of my mind. There’s no mistrust. There’s only this solid certainty that I’ve met the person I’m meant to walk through life with. The man who is always going to protect and shelter me. The one who is going to take care of me and love me no matter what.
My eyes fall on my name on the outside of the envelope. I tap the envelope corner with my finger.
Lauren catches the motion. “So wait, do you think Dalton is the writer?”
I nod without hesitation. “I think he might be. It doesn’t matter whether he is or he isn’t though. I’m wildly in love with him.”
“Does he know that?”
“I’m going to tell him tonight,” I answer.
There’s a commotion out in the hallway, and Lauren gives me a disappointed look. “I need to set up for the spring dance tonight, but I want to hear more later. Come to my place. I’ll loan you a dress for the dance and help you get ready.”
“That sounds great,” I tell her before she leaves the room.
The moment she’s gone, I reach for the letter.
Dear Bree,
You have my heart, my soul. One look into your eyes, and I was gone. Completely enraptured with you. A man only gets this lucky once in his lifetime, and I don’t plan on letting you slip through my fingers.
I can’t promise the road we walk together will always be easy or full of sunshine, but I can promise you’ll never walk it alone. I’ll be right beside you, always in your corner, always the one who has your back.
I’ll be the man that wakes you with slow kisses and reminds you every chance he gets how beautiful you are. I’ll be the man that’s coming home from work and dancing with you in the kitchen as dinner cooks and love songs play on the radio.
I’ll be the man up with you in the middle of the night as we rock our fussy babies back to sleep. I’ll remind them that they’re safe and loved. Just like their beautiful mama.
I’ll be the man that’s still bringing you flowers every week even when we’re eighty. We’ll sit together on the front porch, and I’ll tuck a blanket around you and hold your hand while we talk about what a sweet family we’ve been blessed with.
Our grandkids will toddle up those steps and give us the gift of seeing the world through young eyes again. We’ll splash in puddles with them and wish on dandelions and tell them tales of when their parents were little.
We’ll squeeze every moment of joy out of our lives, and I’ll hold your heart until the end of time.
Forever yours,
Your secret admirer
By the time I’m done, my insides feel like they’re glowing with happiness.
I’ve never felt this completely seen or known.
Dalton has a way of making me feel precious.
But I have to make sure it’s him. He’s the only one I want writing me love letters.
So, I pull out a piece of paper and start penning my own letter.
Dear No-So-Secret Admirer,
I saw a quote recently. Something about love being two souls in one body. I would have thought that was silly a few years ago. And now, I get it. I understand because you’re the other half of me.
I think I know who you are. I think I did from the first letter you sent me, but I was afraid to hope. Afraid to be wrong.
But that’s the thing about love, isn’t it? It makes us brave, and I want to be brave. I want to let myself fall and trust that we’re strong enough to catch each other.
Please meet me tonight on the footbridge. No more secrets. No more anonymous letters. Just two people in love.
Always yours,
Bree
I leave the letter on my desk and go about the rest of my day. But the letter never moves. Finally, it’s time for me to get ready at Lauren’s apartment. I check on the letter one last time. It’s still where I left it.