Six.
Clayton
“Where are we?” Julie asks as I turn us down the bumpy, makeshift road that leads to my property.
“You’ll see,” I say, tamping it down from everything I truly wish to say to her right now and willing myself to save it. Soon , I tell myself, we’re almost there .
When she opened up at the diner, pouring her heart and soul out to me in the form of her dreams and goals for her future—I could see it. Clear as day.
Her and me.
This mountain.
More kids than we can keep track of.
Living the happiest of lives…together.
As I come around the final bend, I can’t help glancing over to the passenger seat, hoping she sees my vision— her vision—coming to life. Here.
It’s not much at the present moment, with a basic twelve-by-twelve shed where I’ve set up shop, several trees I’ve taken down that still need to head to the mill, and a few random pieces of equipment lying around in need of repairs. But it’s home.
And it could be our home.
If she’ll just give me a chance to show it to her.
We made it here in time to watch the sunset, and I turn the truck around so the tailgate is facing the west. “Wait here,” I tell her as I kill the engine.
Her brow furrows as I jump out. “But—”
I put a hand up. “Just…two minutes, darlin’. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, giving me a long, assessing stare before she finally nods.
“Oh, and close your eyes,” I add before leaping into action.