Bennett
This last week following Maven’s and my reconciliation had been like a dream that I was waiting to wake up from.
Maven had slid back into my life so effortlessly it was almost like she’d been here the whole time.
But it’d be wrong to brush aside all that had happened.
I knew she was still grappling with our having missed so much of each other’s lives.
And I was still grappling with life in Autumn Ridge being enough for her.
When I headed up the Prices’ sidewalk to the front door to pick up Maven, the faint sound of a squeaky violin grew louder. Maven had been giving Penny violin lessons, and I didn’t doubt that, with her aunt for a teacher, along with Penny’s clear desire, she would quickly excel.
Not wanting to interrupt, I quietly opened the door to find Maven and Penny wrapping up. Both of their gazes flew to me, and they both smiled. “Want to hear what Penny’s been working on? I think you will love it.”
“Of course I do,” I said, taking a seat on the couch.
Maven nodded at Penny. “Just like we practiced.”
Penny rested her chin on the violin and lifted the bow, reminding me so much of Maven at her first recital.
I was suddenly so grateful my mom had dragged me along that day.
And when Penny started playing “You Are My Sunshine,” I couldn’t help but get choked up a bit at the memories.
At watching Maven, smiling at Penny with such pride.
Would we have a daughter who looked so much like her?
Who loved music like her mom did? I hoped so.
If my heart was this full watching Penny, I couldn’t even imagine how full it would be when that day came.
I already wanted to give our children everything in the world.
Just like I wanted to give Maven everything.
Once the impromptu performance had finished and I’d offered Penny her much deserved praise, I followed Maven from the house.
“Wasn’t she amazing?” Maven asked, closing the Prices’ front door behind us. “She learned that song in a week. One week!”
I took Maven’s hand and led her toward the driver’s side door of the truck to let her in. “Having such an over-qualified teacher probably doesn’t hurt.”
“Probably not, but she has natural talent.” Maven took her place in the middle seat and waited for me to slide in next to her before immediately grabbing my hand again. “How would you feel about me cooking dinner tonight? I saw a new recipe I want to try.”
I gave a playful grimace that had her jabbing her elbow into me.
“Fine,” she said. “I was just trying to be helpful, but I’ll gladly let you cook every night for the rest of forever.”
“I’m just teasing you.” I pulled the truck forward. “You’re a great cook.”
She dropped her chin, clearly not buying it.
“You have a lot of potential?” I tried, probably emphasizing the question part of my statement too much.
She crossed her arms, her gaze pinned on me.
I wrapped my free arm around her. “What answer are you looking for here?”
“You can’t always pacify me by just telling me what I want to hear.”
“So maybe I shouldn’t tell you about the idea I had that involves the two of us going away for the weekend?”
She instantly perked up at my side like she knew exactly what was coming. The woman absolutely loved surprises. “Okay, you can tell me about that.”
“Being that it’s our anniversary tomorrow and you’d talked about wanting to go to the Green Mountains, I was thinking we could take the fifth wheel up to a hidden spot I know.
We can hike and fish and watch those girly movies you like in the trailer.
It’s right next to a river, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
” I leaned closer, placing my lips right next to her ear.
“Plus, it’s very secluded,” I said in a quiet whisper that visibly brought goosebumps to her skin.
She nuzzled into me. “That sounds amazing.”
I sent her a sideways glance. “I even asked my parents to watch Finn.”
Maven’s laugh was contagious. “I appreciate his company for most recreational activities, but definitely not all of them. It’s that pouty face of his. I feel so bad shutting him out of our room.”
I chuckled. “So, we’re good to go?”
“Oh.” She gave a little groan. “I’ll need to let Emma know I won’t be able to make it to the Witches’ Night Out with her and Rosie.”
I tsked my tongue, pretending I didn’t love that she was going full throttle on reconnecting with old friends in town and attending Autumn Ridge community events.
“Here I am arranging a romantic weekend getaway, and you’re making plans to go out with a bunch of women on our anniversary.
I’m not sure whether to be offended or impressed with how you stepped right into the eight-years-married mindset. ”
“Technically, it’s the day after our anniversary.
And I told Emma that if I came, I’d bring you along.
Apparently, Tate’s going with Liv, so I thought the two of you could commiserate over your life choices together.
” Her smile turned mischievous. “Though if you’d prefer getting away and taking part in your favorite activity that we do together, I suppose I can let her know. ”
“Man. When you put it that way, I can see why it’s such a hard choice.” I barely resisted smiling. “But I do already have everything packed, so we probably should go with the favorite activity option.”
Maven feigned a contemplative look, then gave a slow nod of agreement. “Yeah. We do have a lot of lost time to make up for.”