23. Back To The Future
Sean hadn’t planned on making love to Branna in the cold barn, but he’d been overwhelmed by her, and she’d been more than okay with the idea.
So okay, he knew he’d be smiling whenever he walked into the barn for the next decade.
Deciding it would be the day for surprises and that the final coat of stain could wait, Sean opened the barn door for her. “It’s my turn to share a surprise with you. Let’s clean up and then I’ll show you.”
Her cheeks were still pink from their lovemaking and the wind whipping across the fields wasn’t going to change that. She looked happy and well loved.
He was determined to have that look on her face as often as possible for the rest of their lives.
She bounced through the field, her hand in his. “Are you going to tell me what it is?”
“You’re going to have to trust me.”
She stumbled and laughed at his echo of her words from earlier. “That’s easy. I always do and always will.”
He grinned and held up the scarf. “Even if I have to blindfold you?”
Her eyes danced as she laughed. “Is this the favor you said you would return later on?”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Nope. Saving that for tonight. This is something I’ve been working on while you were working on your secret project.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
Soon, they were in the truck and Branna had the scarf wrapped around her eyes. He knew she probably knew where they were heading, but she was bouncing in her seat and enjoying the fun.
They’d left Jabba at home, so it was just the two of them when he parked behind the Saloon. He moved around the truck to open her door. He took her hand. “Watch your head.”
He helped her to the back door and unlocked it. Then he led her inside and locked it behind her. “Are we close?”
“Just another minute. I’ve got you.”
She leaned into his side as he walked her through the kitchen and into the main room of the saloon. He kept moving until they were in the bartender”s space behind the bar.
Deciding to let her find the surprise on her own, he stopped her and turned her until she faced the mirror at the back of the bar. That way, he could see her reaction and watch her figure it out.
He stood at her back and hugged her against him. “You have to find the surprise.”
She laughed as he removed the blindfold and he watched her light up as she realized where they were. For a long minute, she leaned back into him and let her eyes move from him to the shelves, to the mirror, to the room behind him, and then back to him.
Her smile never faded, even though none of what she could see had changed much since her last visit. He squeezed her and kissed her hair. “Go find it.”
She grinned and moved to her left. He made a sound like a buzzer, making her turn again. “That sounds like a clue I’m heading the wrong way.”
Still smiling, she turned to her right and slowly walked along the space, checking out everything on each side. At the end, she turned her head to the hallway that led to the kitchen.
When she spotted the new door, she gasped and her hands flew to her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears, and she turned to him.
His own misted up, and he moved to pull her in for a hug. “Let’s go see your snug, Branna.”
She burrowed into his chest for a minute, and he heard her pulling in a breath. She nodded and turned to the door. With a quick twist, she pushed open the door and then gasped again. “Oh, Sean.”
He worried for an instant, but she turned to him with tears streaming down her face and wrapped herself around him. He held her tightly and rubbed his hands over her, unsure what to say.
Finally, she drew a breath and stepped back. She wiped her eyes and pulled a tissue out of her pocket to blow her nose. “Sorry. I’m overwhelmed. By this, by you. It’s perfect.”
Whew.
Branna took his hand and tugged him into the snug. He closed the door behind them and she took her time looking over the space. Her eyes dried, and her lips tipped up until she was beaming as she looked back at him. “It’s identical to my dad’s snug. How in the world did you do it?”
He grinned. “We spent almost as much time in the snug as we did in that musty, old fort in the basement. I’m glad my memory was good.”
He turned to the hidden closet door and opened it. This time, her gasp didn’t surprise him.
“Even my hideaway.”
He nodded. “Having that hidden space in the snug possibly saved your life. No way was I leaving it out.”
Branna released his hand to run her fingers over every surface. The built-in bench running along two sides, and the small table. She lifted the latch to look out into the bar through the gap.
Then she turned and leaped at him. He caught her as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Her mouth fused to his, and she tasted like love.
“Thank you. This is incredible. I never even imagined having a snug here. I’ll think of my family and you every time I’m in here. You’re wonderful, Sean. Thank you.”
He kissed her softly. “You’re very welcome. I’m so glad you like it.” Then he set her on the table, which he’d ensured was sturdy enough.
He reached into his pocket and dropped to one knee, and took her hand. “Today has been an incredible day and it’s only the beginning. Now, we’ve both got businesses to ensure we have a place in this quirky town. We’re setting down roots and we have our whole future ahead. I want that future with you, and I want it to be official. Will you marry me?”
* * *
Branna couldn’t contain the joy brimming inside. She hopped down from the table and knelt in front of Sean. “I’d love nothing more than to marry you, Sean. You’re the best man I know, and I love you with everything I am.”
Then he was kissing her, and she was kissing him back with everything she was. They broke off to grin at each other and then they were kissing again.
Finally, Sean pulled back and rested his forehead on hers. “I love you Branna.” He lifted the ring box, and she finally tore her eyes from his to look.
The ring was gorgeous. A band surrounded by sparkling diamonds and emeralds. Her voice was shaky when she spoke. “It’s stunning.”
He lifted her left hand and slid it onto her finger. Then he lifted her hand and kissed it. “The day we worked on the farmhouse, you took off your mother’s ring for safekeeping. I know it’s from the other hand, but I hoped the size would be the same. We can get this one sized if it doesn’t fit.”
This man was so thoughtful. “Sneaky and smart. It’s a perfect fit.”
“Just like us.”
She smiled up at him and battled back the tears. She didn’t want to shed any more today. “Just like us.”
He rose to his feet and offered her his hand to help her up. “I’m thinking this snug needs a little something else.”
She blinked at the change in topic and then around at the tiny room. It was like having a bit of her family history back with her. “I think it’s perfect.”
His hands trailed up and down her arms, and he cupped her face again for a long kiss. “I’m thinking it needs to start making memories. What do you think?”
She laughed into the kiss. As always, this man had her system revving with anticipation of his touch, of his love. “I think you might be right. How sturdy is this table?”
“Let’s find out.”
* * *
Bonus Scene: Levi Connors
Levi studied the photo his buddy had just sent. Sean Falcone looked happier than he’d ever seen him. His arm wrapped around a gorgeous woman who was smiling just as broadly. The redhead held up her left hand, showing off a sparkling engagement ring
Falcon was getting married. To Sally. Well, Branna O’Dea, but they’d all heard stories of her as Sally. Her big brother’s name had been Charlie and his code sign had been Brown. So his little sister had to be Sally.
Good for them.
But instead of joy for his friend, Levi only felt discontent. And he hated himself a little for it.
He texted back his congratulations, then shut off the phone and shoved it in his pocket.
He leaned back against his truck and studied the farm in front of him. It was for sale. Only ten acres, but ten acres of good Nebraska farmland.
This could be his place. It wasn’t Kansas, but going back to his home state held too many memories, too much sorrow and loss. He needed to be somewhere else.
Some place he could put down his own roots, roots that didn’t hurt. A place where he could plant and tend the land like his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents before him.
Was this piece of land it?
With a sigh, Levi pushed off the truck and walked back around to get in the driver’s seat. It didn’t feel right. Like every other plot of land he’d tried so far.
Time to keep on looking.
If only he knew exactly what he was looking for.