Chapter 24 #3
“That’s pretty significant,” Shannon commented. “Are you ready for that?”
Mia took a long sip of the cold brew through the straw.
Flavor exploded on her tongue. “I am. I want to move to the next step. Jackson and I have hinted about marriage someday. He seems to be giving me time. I appreciate it. But I know what I want. I want to be his wife. To start building a life together. But I’m not in a rush.
There’s no one trying to keep us apart this time. ”
She understood her friend’s concern. Mia was still finding her way. Change and emotions had always proved difficult for her to navigate. But now, for the first time in her life, she truly felt like she didn’t have to shoulder every burden herself.
“I’m glad you’re happy. I just don’t want you to go too fast. You’ve been through a lot lately.” Shannon sipped her own drink.
“I am happy. I have Jackson and Dylan. And I’m building a friendship with Andrea. My mom has met her. It was weird, but they get along well. And I finally understand why having God front and center in your life is so important. I trust that God will get me through whatever happens to me.”
The rest of the day flew by. She and Andrea made tacos for dinner and then turned on a romantic comedy Mia had seen once about fifteen years ago. She hadn’t appreciated it then, but now, she howled at the clever banter and the heroine’s crazy antics.
Life was different when one had finally found where they belonged.
She left home around ten thirty the next morning, her GPS getting her to the campground with no issues. She sent Dylan a text letting him know she’d arrived. Five minutes later, he ran into view.
Alone.
She hopped out of her car and grabbed her single bag. “I thought there were two of you camping.”
Dylan grinned. “Yep. I told Jackson I needed to do something and left him struggling with his curiosity.”
She chuckled. Secretly, she bet he was also doing his best not to let his protective instincts go overboard. It had to be hard letting his brother go off on his own in the woods. He might be fifteen, but none of them would ever forget the events of August.
“Dylan, that you buddy?” Jackson came out of the tent, head down so he could clear the fabric flap that served as a door. “If we want to catch some fish for lunch we should—”
His head lifted and he stopped in place. His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. For just a second, Mia worried that this had been a mistake to intrude on their brothers weekend. Then sheer delight blazed across his face, and he aimed a brilliant smile at her.
“Mia! I didn’t expect you to show up.” He turned to Dylan.
Dylan rolled his eyes. “That was kind of the point.”
Jackson laughed. “I’ll take that as a confession that you set it up.”
Dylan smirked.
Mia choked on a laugh. “I assume it’s okay if I join you?”
“Okay? It’s fantastic!” He pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. “I hope you like to fish.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never done it before.”
Before she knew it, both Dylan and Jackson were competing to teach her how to bait a hook, throw the line, and reel it in.
The next few hours were some of the most fun she’d ever had.
This is what family feels like.
After the church service, they packed up their vehicles. Jackson seemed distracted. Once Dylan was in his seat and ready, Jackson left the truck and stopped beside Mia’s car. She rolled down her window. “Yes?”
“May I stop by for five minutes after I drop off my brother?”
She shivered. Something told her this could be a pivotal moment. She nodded. “I’ll leave the outside light on.”
At home, she moved around restlessly. Her face heated, and anticipation zinged through her. What did he want to say? She knew he wasn’t ready to propose. They hadn’t been together long enough. Thankfully, both her mom and Gus were out. Carol had convinced Gus to go visit her sister for the day.
The doorbell interrupted her pacing. She went to the door and let him in. “Come on into the kitchen.”
She poured them each a cold drink and set a plate of cookies on the table. He ignored the cookies but took a deep swallow of water, then set the glass back on the table and reached for her hands. She held her breath.
“I am so glad you came today.”
“Me too.”
“I know we haven’t been dating that long, but I didn’t want to leave you wondering where this was heading.” He cleared his throat.
She couldn’t speak. Her pulse drummed in her ears.
“Mia, I’m in love with you. Not like back in high school. That was teenage infatuation. What I feel now is stronger and deeper. I think of you, and I can see us together in the future.”
She placed her hand against his cheek, nearly melting when he turned his head to kiss her palm. “I’m in love with you, too. I look forward to what our future holds.”
His eyes gleamed. Leaning forward, he kissed her lips. She snaked her hands around his neck to kiss him back. It could have been five minutes or thirty when he pulled away.
She stared into his eyes and realized that he was the reason Renegade now felt like home.
Smiling, she pulled him closer once more.