Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
David
I wake up, thinking I’m in a dream, but I quickly realize it’s all real as I lie here in my childhood bed, with my arms around the girl I’ve always wanted. I just never knew she was right in front of me this entire time.
She rustles around, and I kiss the top of her head.
“Good morning.”
She looks up at me with sleepy eyes, keeping her head on my chest. “Good morning.” She lays her head back down, getting comfy again. “I can’t believe we were able to share a twin bed.”
“I can’t believe I have a girl in my twin bed,” I tease, making her laugh. “You’d better hurry up and get out of here before we get caught.”
She moves to do just that, and I catch her, bringing her back to me.
“I’m just kidding.”
I laugh even harder when she slaps my chest and says, “Dick.”
I hold her tighter. “That’s the girl I’ve missed.” I kiss her head one more time. “Let’s get up though. I’m sure everyone is already downstairs, making breakfast.”
“They make breakfast together?” she asks, genuinely curious.
“Of course they do. It’s Sunday. Is that not what your family does?” I ask, seemingly just as confused.
She shrugs with a sigh, then sits up with her back to me. “Not really. It’s just me, and my parents never really did things like that. My mom would make me food, but when it’s just the three of us, I guess, it’s not as big of a deal to do things together.”
We both stand, and I can’t help but smile, seeing her in my T-shirt hanging down to her knees.
“Well, get ready. You’re about to learn what having a big family is all about.” I point at her playfully. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
She slips on some pajama shorts but keeps my T-shirt on, which makes me even happier. I love that she’s not trying to put on some show for my family and be someone she’s not, and knowing she already feels comfortable around them gives me the best feeling.
We enter the kitchen, hand in hand.
“Morning, everyone,” I say as I lead her to where the coffee pot is and pour her a cup.
My mom walks straight to us, wrapping her arms around Zoe. “Morning, sweetheart. How did you sleep?”
The blush that instantly covers her face makes me laugh, so I turn my back to both of them and pour myself a cup as well.
When my mom slaps my back, I hold up both coffee mugs and turn to face her.
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
She tries to hide her laugh as she heads back to the stove, and I guide Zoe to the table, where my dad and youngest sister, Cindy, are sitting.
“What’s the plan for the day?” Mom asks.
“I was going to take her out on the ranch, show her around on the horses,” I reply before taking a sip.
“You have horses?” Zoe pops up in excitement.
“Of course we do,” Dad replies. “What kind of ranch doesn’t have horses?”
“The New York City kind,” I tease.
“Well, sweetheart, you’re in for a treat then.” He smiles sweetly at her, which I know she takes to heart by the content grin that’s covering her face.
We finish our breakfast, then get ready to head out. Thankfully, she’s able to fit in some of Katie’s boots because there was no way I was taking her out in the flats she brought to wear today.
Once we’re in the barn, I flip on the radio to play some tunes while we prepare the horses. When “Crazy Eyes” by Morgan Wallen comes on, I pause and swoop her up in my arms.
“Do you know how many times I listened to this song, dying to know if your eyes would affect me the way he explains?”
She raises her eyebrows seductively at me. “Well?”
“It’s more than my kryptonite. You’re either going to be my entire world or the death of me. Jury’s still out,” I tease as I drop her to her feet, wanting to get a rise out of her.
She places her hands on her hips. “Jury’s still out?”
I laugh out loud. “Nah, I just wanted to push that little fight button of yours.”
I give her a quick kiss, and she swats me away.
I finish saddling the horse and hold out my hand to her. “Up you go!”
The way her brows furrow is so cute. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“You’ll do just fine. Come on. I’ll help you up. You trust me, right?”
“We’re not doing the whole Rose and Jack thing from Titanic, are we?” she jokes.
“I sure hope not!” I admonish back. “You do remember he dies at the end, right?” I pause and look up to the sky in thought. “If only she had given him some space on that wood she was floating on.”
She places her hands on the saddle, lifts her foot to the strap, and leans up to kiss my lips. “I’d give you the space to sit with me.”
I slap her ass before lifting her up onto the horse. “You’d better! With your size, there’s definitely room for both of us!”
She gets settled, and then I hop on and guide us out to the pasture.
“Where are you taking me?” she asks.
I point out to our land that stretches as far as I can see. “Anywhere you want to go.”
Her eyes open wide. “Seriously? This is all your family’s property?”
“Yep. Let me show you what life really is when all you have is land and all the time in the world to enjoy it.”
Zoe
I had no idea our world held so many amazing things. The beauty of this place is unlike anything I’ve ever imagined.
The best part, though, is ending our day sitting around a firepit, under the stars, while I’m wrapped up in his arms, just like we did last night.
“Is this a typical nightly thing around here, or is this just because I’m here?” I ask.
“I used to sit out here all the time. It was my favorite place. Having so many siblings and having to share a room never gave me space to think. Out here did.”
His response is so truthful, so heartfelt that it makes me sad almost.
“Don’t you miss it here?” I ask, feeling like I already know the answer.
“Yeah, these past few weeks have made me miss it even more. I didn’t think I had until I came back.” He looks down at me and holds me tighter. “It will be fine, though, now that I have you in New York.”
I stare out at the vast emptiness that surrounds us, taking in his words.
“I can’t believe your parents have this much land,” I say out loud but more in thought.
“Yeah. My parents wanted to have enough land that if all of us kids wanted to, we could build our own home and live right here with them.”
Now it’s my turn to look up at him. “Really?”
He nods. “Yeah, it’s something they’ve said is an option if we want it.”
“Would you want to do that?”
He shrugs. “I wrote off the thought so long ago, thinking it would never be an option since my life was in New York.”
I leave his thoughts at that. It’s not something we need to talk about now, but definitely something I’m tucking away for a future possibility, depending on where this life takes us.