Freight Train

by Sapphire Knight

  “Us? Did you have Nate or Clyde set this up?”

  “Yup, I sure did, so just relax.”

  He’s so freaking amazing and thoughtful. I remembered to pick him up a small box of chocolates, but I didn’t plan anything out. I knew we were coming out here so there wasn’t much I could do. I never thought of asking his brothers to help me do something, but now I know for future reference.

  He sets down a wire hanger and an unopened bag of pink, heart-shaped marshmallows beside me.

  “Ohhh, you brought snacks too!”

  “I’m an overachiever.” He shrugs making me laugh and tosses a new bottle of chocolate syrup down beside me.

  “Clearly. I could eat this entire bag.” I freaking love them, and I can only imagine how great they’ll taste coated in the gooey, sweet chocolate syrup too.

  He places the small pieces of wood together, stacking them to resemble a triangle and gets the fire going. It’s not too cold out here, even in the middle of February, but the breeze is a bit chilly. The fire gives off the perfect amount of heat to make it comfortable.

  “You brought me out here to roast marshmallows? I have to say, Tyler; this is the most romantic Valentine’s Day I’ve ever celebrated. Thank you.”

  No one’s ever done anything special for me, besides my dad. He’d send balloons or a stuffed animal for Valentine’s Day, and one year, my favorite year, he had Nan go shopping and buy every topping she could find, and we made ginormous banana splits to celebrate. We were covered in sticky toppings, but each bite was delicious, and we got to make them together. I loved every minute of it.

  “You’re special to me, so I wanted it to be special for you. I know some guys go over the top with a bunch of flowers and all that stuff, but I wanted to do something where we got to spend time together. You’re the best Valentine gift I could ever have.”

  It’s so sweet and thoughtful I could kiss his lips off and then screw him senseless for being so damn amazing to me.

  “I freaking love you, Tyler Owens.”

  “I love you too, Pretty.” He smiles widely, those pearly whites lighting up his face and making him even more handsome to stare at. I don’t know how it’s even possible, but he pulls it off.

  We get situated with me roasting a marshmallow, my legs wrapped in the blanket and Tyler’s legs wrapped around me, holding me from behind. I’m toasty and feel oh-so-loved by my man. I couldn’t imagine spending the day any other way. We may need to make this a tradition.

  “Tyler?”

  “Yeah, babe?”

  “Thank you for this. I hope I can spend every Valentine’s Day wrapped in your arms.”

  “Well, speaking of that. I do have a gift for you.”

  “But I thought you are my gift?”

  He chuckles, the sound deliciously deep as he rests his chin on my shoulder. “Well yes, but I have something else too.”

  “If you brought graham crackers for these marshmallows and chocolate, I swear I’m going to have to remove your pants. Because damn, you planned this out well and deserve a reward.”

  He laughs loudly at that, his chest rumbling, making me smile as well and then leans in, kissing my cheek. “Turn around for a second.” He removes his arms, and I twist my body until my hands are resting on his thighs and I’m facing him. He digs through his pocket for a minute, bringing out a small white box.

  Earrings? Necklace? Bracelet? Ring?

  My excitement level’s about to burst, knowing those little boxes always hold something good. He opens his hand, laying it flat, so the box sits right in the middle of his large palm. Coming from Ty, I know it’s going to be something special. He doesn’t ever do anything without thinking about it first, and I know this time will be no exception.

  “Open it.”

  He doesn’t have to tell me twice. Smiling widely, I carefully grab the box and open the lid. I’m cautious not to jostle it in case whatever’s inside, isn’t secured. My mouth pops open as I finger the delicate piece of silver out of the slot cut in the cushioned piece of leather inside.

  “It’s perfect,” I whisper, pulling the ring free. “An anchor?” It’s a silver band that resembles a knot and in the center is a small anchor.

  “You ground me and keep me real. You’re my rock, sweetheart. You’re the only one that’s got control of my heart.”

  My fingers brush over the inside, feeling the difference in texture. Flipping it around so I can see inside, I notice the script.

  My heart, my soul, my love, my life.

  “Oh my God, Tyler.” It comes out in a breath, my eyes welling up with happy tears.

  I love this man so much. He’s beyond thoughtful, knowing exactly what to do to make everything so much more meaningful. He never makes me doubt, not even for a second about how he truly feels. He’s always been that way, too, since the very beginning when he had me in that laundry room alone and admitted that he wanted me.

  “It’s true you know.” He gestures to the inscription. “These words right here. You mean everything to me.”

  “I believe you; you’re everything to me too. I’d be lost without you. I never had a clue just how lonely I was until I had you.”

  His mouth meets mine, softly, gently, lovingly, each caress full of unspoken promises.

  “I didn’t want to freak you out with an engagement ring,” he admits, and my eyes meet his. I want to marry him, truly, but it’s like he gets me. “Make no mistake about it; I will marry you one day, Kadence Winters. This is my promise that it’ll happen, but I’ll wait until you’re ready for it.”

  All I can do is nod as he peppers kisses over my nose and cheeks. He takes the dainty ring out of my hand, laying my palm flat as he carefully places my promise ring on my right ring finger.

  “One day, I’ll put one on your left hand, and if I’m being honest about it, I can’t wait. I love you.”

  “I love you.” My lips tremble at his words, how he means them with every ounce in his body and he doesn’t just tell me but shows me as well. He never makes me feel unloved or neglected, not even for a second.

  How I could find a love so true is beyond me, but I’m so damn grateful. Every day of my life I’ll spend it showing this man just how much he truly means to me, how unbelievably happy he makes me and how my soul completely belongs to him. Ever since that first day that I ran into him full speed, there’s been no one in my life but him, and being here today next to him, I know inside that I want him to be beside me in my future as well.

  “I have something else to tell you.”

  “There’s more? I’m already blubbering; I don’t know how much I can take.” It comes out with a small giggle, my heart happy, full, and in love.

  “Things went really great in New England. I wanted to make a commitment to you before anything else, so we have some stuff to discuss now that you know my intentions with you and our future.”

  “Okay.” I’m dying to know what all happened on his trip.

  “So, they’ve offered me a contract.”

  “You’re shitting me.” It bursts out before I can stop myself and he chuckles. “I mean, I’m not surprised, you’re fantastic, but holy shit! They offered you a contract?” My voice grows in excitement.

  He nods. “They did. I’ve been thinking about it for a few days, and I just can’t believe it, honestly. It’s a good deal too. The coach was welcoming, the team’s amazing, and it’ll be enough money for my family’s ranch.” He swallows and looks down.

  “Then what’s the issue, Tyler? That all sounds wonderful.”

  He nods again, growing serious as he meets my gaze. “It means nothing, though, if you won’t go with me. My heart chooses to stay with you, no matter where that is.”

  “You think I won’t go?”

  “I mean, I hope you will, and I hope you’ll be happy. But this is it, Kay, my commitment’s to you. IF you say no deal, then I say no deal to them. If I agree to go and play for them, will you come with me?”

  I hold my h
and up, my new ring on full display. “You think you’re going anywhere without me after the promise you just made me, you’re crazy.” I grab his hands in mine, smiling widely at the most thoughtful, caring, and gorgeous man I’ve ever met in my entire life. “You bet your sweet ass I’ll go with you, and I’ll love you every minute we have together, too. I’m a New England fan for life, but I’m also yours for life, Ty.”

  “You promise me?”

  “I promise you with everything that I am. I’m yours...”

  It’s not about who’s in your path.

  It’s about who’s in your huddle.

  Two years later

  “Go, baby, go baby, goooooo!” My scream’s so loud a few of the other wives glance at me. I couldn’t care less; watching Tyler run that football all the way down the field is a thing of beauty. If anything, it’s become more exciting over the years. I swear he keeps getting better with each season. I don’t know how it’s possible when he’s already so full of talent, but it’s happening.

  “Momma, sit your hiney down,” comes gruffly from my left side.

  “Did you see that?” I ask Clyde excitedly.

  “Yes. But woman, you’re gonna make my nephew pop out earlier than needed if you don’t calm down.” Right as the words leave his mouth, I get a sharp kick to my ribs. Maybe the jumping and yelling wasn’t such a good idea after all because it’s getting this baby overexcited as well.

  “Ohhhh.” My hand finds the spot, and I sit carefully back into the comfortable club chair. No hard stadium seats for me. My belly’s getting too big and my butt needs the cushioning of the seats the owner’s box provides.

  “See. I told you. We were all three big babies; you need to take it easy. My brother’s crazy to let you up here when you’re so close to your due date.”

  “You jinxed me.” I send a glare his way as my son moves around, making himself comfy in my basketball-sized stomach.

  Clyde’s overreacting, which seems to also be an Owens brother trait. I’m not that close to going into labor, but they all act as if this baby’s going to fall out of my coochie walking down the damn street.

  “Just be happy Nate’s not visiting; he’d have you on bed rest.”

  I roll my eyes. Nate’s the most overprotective of them all, like a giant momma bear or something. “Ha. I’d like to see him try.” Grumbling, my gaze lands back on number twelve, my number twelve.

  “I didn’t get to tell you last time when you called, but I want you to know that I’m proud of you, kid.”

  Shrugging, I wave him off. “It’s cool, thank you, though.”

  “I mean it, Kadence. A lot of people get married and give up on their goals, others get pregnant, and then they go to the backs of their minds even more. You stuck it out; even through being sick every day for months, you kept up with your classes. It’s a big deal, and you should be proud of that.”

  “It was online, so it wasn’t so bad.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. You got that degree, didn’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you’re already a success in my book.”

  The side of my mouth hikes up. Clyde rarely doles out compliments, but when he does, I swear they’re the type you feel in your heart. Typical Owens trying to make me cry from being sweet.

  And it almost works as my eyes begin to water. “Thank you.”

  “Your dad tell you he’s been stopping by the ranch on the regular?”

  “No.” Shaking my head, I meet his gaze. “He’s been in Alabama?”

  “Yep, a few times.”

  “Weird, he hasn’t said anything.” I wonder what that’s all about. I know the club enjoys the moonshine, but for him to purposefully go on several rides out there? Has to be more. I need to call and check up on him.

  “It’s good for the ranch. I’ve brought on Dallas to help out more.”

  “I’m glad. That’s too much land for you and Nate to worry about alone.”

  I’ve heard Tyler worry about his brothers constantly, being this far away from them. For the longest time, Clyde kept sending the checks back that Ty would send him to help out. Eventually, my husband got smart and started direct depositing them into Nate’s account and having him use it for things they needed around the ranch.

  “Well, pop out a few nephews, and they can come help out.”

  Swatting at him with my left hand he fake cringes like I’ve wounded him. “Jesus, watch out with that thing, you damn near maimed me! How can you even lift your hand, that rock’s so big?”

  That makes me laugh. I gave in to Tyler a year ago and married him, four months later, and the brat knocks me up. Now I’m six months into this pregnancy and wondering if I’ll ever have another. This kid has made me sick, feel like I’m starving to death, overly emotional, and run out of clothes. Ty’s been absolutely thrilled to see me shovel down food all the time and live in his clothes; I think it’s a secret fetish of his.

  “If your brother has his way, then there’ll be about five more on the way.” I shake my head, smiling as I think of Ty whispering to my belly the night before about how he plans to be the best daddy ever. He already is, and he doesn’t even know it. I’m so lucky to have him in my life every day.

  “Sister, haven’t you learned yet? Ty always gets his way. He’s an Owens; it’s what we do.” He winks, and I’ll be damned if I argue.

  With a devious grin like that and a heart of gold, who can possibly say no?

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  About the Author

  Sapphire Knight is the Internationally Bestselling Author of Secrets, Exposed, Relinquish, Corrupted and Forsaken Control. Her books all reflect on what she loves to read herself. Sapphire is a Texas girl who is crazy about football. She has always had a knack for writing, whether it is poems or stories. She originally studied psychology and that has only added to her passion for writing. She has two boys and has been married for ten years. When she's not busy in her writing cave, she's busy playing with her three Doberman Pinschers. She loves to donate to help animals and watching a good action movie.

  Read more at Sapphire Knight’s site.