As their bodies became one and her trusting eyes bored into his, his heart poured out. “I never thought I was missing a damn thing until the day I met you. You soared into my life like a gust of wind or a runaway kite—magical and unstoppable. You make me see and feel so much. I know I’ll never look at anything the same way again.”
“Neither will I. You’re wearing off on me, cracker.”
“We’re just getting started, sunshine. There’s a whole world of possibilities ahead of us. I don’t care if you live life on a whim or plan every second as long as I’m by your side for the ride.”
“Then ride me, big boy, and I promise not to change.”
MORGYN WORKED LIKE the Energizer Bunny, making new inventory and inquiring with stores in Oak Falls, Meadowside, and Whisper Creek, another neighboring town, to see if they’d sell her products. Word spread quickly, and by Thursday afternoon when she and Graham returned from dropping off merchandise at Magnolia’s store, nine more store owners had left messages offering to take her products on consignment. They’d spent the day delivering products and making inventory lists using a simple spreadsheet Graham had set up for her. He’d gone to painstaking efforts noting how much each item had originally cost, how much of Morgyn’s time she’d put into each enhancement, and the cost of the products she used. It was difficult, given that she couldn’t remember what most of the items had originally cost, but she had receipts for some of her more recent purchases, and with Graham’s help, it became clear how much she’d underestimated the value of her work. She’d never even thought to calculate the time she put into each item. She was excited to see if the consignment idea would actually work even though now that she realized she should probably raise her prices, she wasn’t sure she’d need to close her shop after all. But the truth was, even with how helpful all of these options were, she was working her fingers to the bone in an effort to distract herself from the obvious.
Graham was leaving tomorrow.
Although they hadn’t talked in any detail about what would happen after he left, she knew they’d try to make it work. But every time she thought about bringing it up or talking about how to make a long-distance relationship work, she got an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach. She’d tried to bring it up several times as they cooked dinner and then again as they ate sitting on a blanket by the deer garden, serenaded by music streaming from her phone. She’d never had to decide not to think about anything. She naturally didn’t worry and assumed situations would work out for the best. But she didn’t like the idea of leaving their future up to chance.
He made her want to plan. To strategize with him about their relationship and figure out their next step.
How scary was it that they were lying on their backs, stargazing under a beautiful night sky, and instead of reveling in their closeness, she was thinking about how this time tomorrow his toothbrush would be gone, his clothes would no longer share the same space as hers, and his coffee cup would no longer be drying by the sink every morning.
Her insides knotted up and she rolled onto her side, putting her arm across his chest and her leg over his legs. His strong arm circled her, and he pressed a kiss to her head.
“How’s my girl? You okay?”
“No.” She snuggled in closer, clinging to his shirt, her body pressed tightly against him.
“Do you want to burrow beneath my skin?”
She heard the smile in his voice and nodded. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“No, sunshine. I love everything you do, from plastering your body over mine while you’re sleeping to changing directions ten times a day.”
“Would you still like me as much if I changed?”
“I don’t think anything could change how I feel about you.” He touched her chin, lifting her face so he could see her eyes. “What’s wrong? Talk to me.”
She sat up beside him, worrying her hands. “I’ve never felt this way before, and it’s got me all twisted up inside. I like living alone. I’ve never wanted anyone else in my life twenty-four seven, but now…” Her throat thickened with emotion, and he sat up beside her, his serious eyes boring into her. “I don’t want to wake up Saturday morning to an empty bed, with all your stuff gone, and leave it up to the universe to bring you back. I’ve always believed that what was supposed to happen would—but what if this time I’m wrong? What if real life is too busy and this was a fantasy? A week-long break from reality?”
“Is that what you think we are?”
She shook her head. “But I’m not you.”
He took her hands in his and pressed a long, tender kiss to the back of each of them. “I’m the planner; you’re the floater.”
“What does that mean? Does that mean I can’t think about it?”
“No, sunshine. Your beautiful brain can think about anything and everything you ever want to. But in this case, you don’t have to worry. I’ve already bought a plane ticket to come back here after my trip to New York. Short of the world coming to an end, nothing will keep me from you.”
Tears slipped from her eyes. “You did?”
“What did you think I meant when I said you were the only woman I wanted to invest my heart in? Or that I was falling for you? Did you think those were just words?”
She crawled into his lap and said, “No. I believed you, but this whole wanting to think ahead thing is new to me, and it’s thrown me for a loop. I want to plan with you. I want to know you’re coming back and that we’re real. It’s hard being a planner.”
He chuckled. “Not for me, but that’s why we work so well together. I’m learning to float a little more and plan a little less, and you’re learning to think ahead when it matters.”
“But that’s not the girl you were falling for. The girl you were falling for is floaty and didn’t balk when you said you’d find me and didn’t take my number.”
“First of all, you’re exactly the girl I was—and am—falling for.” He rubbed his nose along hers, and then he shifted so he could look into her eyes and said, “I’m no expert about relationships, but from what I’ve seen with my brother, Beau, when you find your soul mate, you can’t help but change. The things you’ve always thought you’ve known about yourself suddenly seem bigger, smaller, or not at all what you believed. We’re written in the stars, babe. Just ask your mother. There’s no escaping us.”
She laughed, imagining her mother saying that. “My mom’s a total romantic.”
“Don’t fool yourself, crafty girl. You’re a romantic, too. How else could you feel so deeply?” He kissed her softly and he said, “Listen. Our song is playing.”
He rose to his feet, bringing her with him, and wrapped her in his arms, slow dancing to Luke Bryan’s “Crash My Party.”
“This song gives me an open door to call you anytime,” she said as she wound her arms around his neck, happiness filling her up inside.
“Day or night, sunshine.”
“You might regret that when I miss your voice and call at three in the morning just to hear it.”
“I look forward to it. And I’ll miss hearing yours, so you can expect lots of calls and FaceTime videos.”
“Can I keep a few of your shirts to sleep in?”
“I’ll leave everything here if you’d like. My truck is here, remember? I was supposed to drive across country. Have you noticed I haven’t made arrangements to get my truck back to Maryland? I’m coming back to be with you, Morgyn. I have to admit, I’m worried about how I’ll sleep without you.” He smiled and said, “I’m used to being kneed in the groin and waking up to your thigh across my neck, my back, or anywhere else you happen to flop.”
She buried her face in his chest. “I have no idea why I do that. I’ve never spent the night with a guy before you. I guess I’m not very good at it.”
“You are impeccable at it. The best bedmate ever. The queen of cosleeping. And I’m seriously going to have withdrawals.”
Why did that make her heart ache even more?
His arms were heavy against her, his heart thumping to the same fast beat as hers. She loved his strength, the way he cherished his family and the environment in equal measure, and most of all, she loved his surety about their relationship.
“Just in case, I’m keeping your hat.” She said it teasingly, but she truly didn’t want to give it up. It was the first piece of himself he’d ever shared with her.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Chapter Twelve
“MORGYN! WHERE ARE you?” Brindle’s voice carried in the cool night air. “I know you guys are out here! Cover up the goods and show yourself. I need you!”
Graham squinted into the darkness at the flashlight beam sweeping over the yard by the house. Morgyn was fast asleep on top of him, her arms outstretched, her head on his chest, and her legs between his. If she was startled he was sure to get a knee in the groin. He kissed the top of her head. “Sunshine,” he whispered. “Baby, Brindle needs you.”
She buried her face in his neck with a mewling sound. Thankfully, they were fully dressed. They’d danced and talked until well after midnight, making plans for when he returned and promising to keep in touch. Morgyn had fallen fast asleep holding on to him, like the thought of his leaving had taken everything out of her. It had nearly killed him not to ask her to go to Seattle with him, but with her business up in the air and her excitement over possible new directions in full swing, it would be selfish of him to ask her to leave it all behind.
“Morgyn! Graham! Where are—”
The flashlight beam landed on them.
“Brindle?” Morgyn’s head and knee shot up at the same time, sending searing pain from Graham’s groin to his chest.
“Fuuuck!” He rolled to the side, cupping his balls.
“Oh no!” Morgyn reached between his legs, eyes wide and sorrowful. “I’m sorry! I…Oh God! Did I kill them?”
He groaned as Brindle dropped to her knees in hysterics. “I’m sorry,” she choked out between laughs. “But you two! Did you kill them? They’re not people.”
“Shut up, Brin!” Morgyn snapped. “I’m sorry, cracker.”
“I’m fine, sunshine,” Graham ground out as he sat up. “What’s wrong, Brindle?”
“Wrong?” Confusion washed over Brindle’s face. “Oh, you mean why am I here? I need Morgyn. I leave tomorrow—well, technically today—and we have to go do something.”
“Now?” He glanced at the time on his phone. “It’s four in the morning.”
Morgyn glared at Brindle. “I’m not leaving Graham.”
Brindle knee-walked over to Morgyn, wearing skimpy cutoffs, a halter top, and cowgirl boots. “Please? You have to! It’s the last time I can do it all summer. Please, Morg? I need to do this.”
“Can’t you coerce Sable?” Morgyn pleaded, cuddling up to Graham. “This is our last night, too. Graham leaves tomorrow. I’m not leaving him.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Graham asked. “Where do you need to go?”
Ignoring his questions, Brindle said, “Sable’s not home. I went there first. You know how much this means to me.”
“I thought you and Trace were over,” Morgyn said.
“We are, but still…This is tradition. Please!”
“Whatever it is, if it’s that important, we’ll go,” Graham offered.
Morgyn bit her lower lip, troubled eyes shifting to him.
“Um…” Brindle looked at Morgyn. “It’s…um…”
“You wouldn’t like it,” Morgyn said quickly. “We’ve been doing secret adventures since we were kids. It’s kind of our thing. They’re not very fun, though. You have to climb hills and lie in the grass…”
“Cool.” Graham pushed to his feet and stretched. “I’m always up for an adventure. Let’s go, sunshine. Your sister needs you. I’m not going to stand in the way of tradition.”
A devilish grin appeared on Brindle’s face as she stood up. “Have I told you how much I like your guy? Let’s go on our adventure!” She ran toward the house. “Come on!”
“But—”
Graham silenced Morgyn with a long, slow kiss. “I won’t get in the way, promise. It’ll be fun to see what you girls do for excitement.”
Morgyn fidgeted nervously as they followed Brindle in Graham’s truck. “You don’t have to go,” she said for the tenth time. “I could have told her no.”
“There’s no way I’m standing in the way of a sisterly tradition.” He reached across the seat and squeezed her hand. “I really don’t mind, sunshine. I’m excited to go.”
They parked on a side road near her parents’ house and followed a path up a big hill.
“This is going to be awesome,” Brindle said with a giggle.
“Yeah, right,” Morgyn mumbled.
When they neared the crest of the hill, Brindle grabbed Graham’s arm, speaking in a hushed whisper. “Get down, and speak quietly. If they hear you, they’ll catch us.”
“They?” Graham asked, ducking like them.
“Shh!” the girls said.
He crawled to the edge of the hill with the girls, and a big barn and riding ring came into view.
“Whose barn is that?” he whispered.
“The Jerichos’,” Morgyn said. “She wants to see Trace ride. The guys are breaking in horses. They ride the wildest ones.”
“Now?” Graham asked. “Why not during the day?”
“Shh!” Brindle glowered at him. “You can come, but you can’t talk.”
“Sounds like a bad porn movie,” he said with a snicker, earning an eye roll from both of them.
Trace and JJ came around the side of the barn, both of them shirtless. Brindle made an appreciative noise as they pulled open the barn doors and two more shirtless guys sauntered out. The guys were talking, but they were too far away to make out what was being said.
Trace strode into the barn, and Brindle said, “That’s right, baby. Get on that horse. Show them who’s the baddest guy in Oak Falls.”
“So much for it being over between you two,” Graham said under his breath.
Brindle glowered. “It’s over. I’m leaving tomorrow, and trust me, I’m not looking back. My summer is going to rock, and when I come home I’ll barely remember who he is.”
Morgyn shook her head. “Ignore her. When she comes back, she’ll probably go straight to his house for hot miss-you sex.”
“Hey, don’t knock hot miss-you sex.” Graham pressed his lips to hers, knowing just how hot their lovemaking would be when he returned from his trip. My fucking trip. He’d never wanted to put off work for a woman before, but the best deal in the world couldn’t make him want to leave Morgyn for a day, much less for ten. But he couldn’t let Knox down.
A horse burst into the ring, bucking wildly with Trace on its back. The guys hooted and hollered, cheering him on as the horse tried its best to throw him off.
Brindle went up on her elbows, her brow furrowed. “Hold on, baby. Hold on. You’ve got this. Show him who’s boss.”
Morgyn clutched Graham’s hand, eyes wide—and locked on the shirtless dudes below. Jealousy clutched him, an unfamiliar and fucking awful feeling. He wasn’t about to let his girl drool over another guy. Tradition or not.
“I can’t believe this is what you do on your adventures,” he whispered.
“I told you that you wouldn’t like it,” Morgyn said, eyes still locked on Trace riding that wild horse like a pro. “But you have to admit, it’s exciting!”
He scoffed. You want exciting, I’ll give you exciting. “I’m going to take a piss.”
“WHERE’S HE GOING?” Brindle asked, scooting closer to Morgyn.
“To pee. I think he’s mad.”
&
nbsp; Brindle giggled. “No kidding. You should have told him not to come.”
“You shouldn’t have begged. You knew this was our last night together,” she whispered harshly.
“It’s our last night, too,” Brindle said. “Yours and mine. Doesn’t that mean something?”
“Yes, but I love him, and he’s leaving, and now he’s mad and…” She buried her face in her hands.
“You what? Wait. You love him? After a week?”
Morgyn nodded. “Yes! I know…I don’t understand it, either. But I do, Brindle. I love who he is, the way we connect, the way he looks at me like I’m everything to him. He’s everything to me, Brin. I can’t look into my future and not see him right there with me.”
Brindle’s mouth hung open.
“Stop looking at me like that!” She sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. “Now he’s probably rethinking everything because I was stupid enough to come here with you. I don’t care about these guys. They’re like brothers to me!”
“Well, Trace is not like a brother to me,” Brindle said sharply, pulling Morgyn down to her stomach. “Stay down or they’ll see you.”
“What am I going to do? I swear if this ruins us, I’m going to fly to Paris and kill you.”
“You’re asking me what to do? What the fuck do I know about wanting to keep a man?” She knocked Morgyn with her shoulder and said, “Maybe you should come to Paris with me.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere with you. This is all your—” She grabbed Brindle’s arm. “Holy shit. What is he doing?”
Graham strode toward the riding ring. He tore off his shirt and laid it over the fence beside JJ. JJ hollered something, and then there was a flurry of activity getting Trace’s horse back into the barn, and all the guys followed him in.
“If he tells them we’re up here, I’ll personally kick him in the groin,” Brindle said. “We’ve been doing this for more than a decade and they have yet to find out.”
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