by Haley Travis
“Good thinking,” I said. “Thank you so much for your help.”
Grabbing Tana’s hand, I pulled her into my arms, swinging her around in a circle.
“The ring is beautiful,” she said. “Thank you.”
“You’re beautiful,” I said. “Thank you for saying yes.”
She laughed lightly, her beautiful warm brown eyes sparkling. “I hope that you didn’t think for one second that I could possibly have any other answer.”
“Not really, but you know, it’s good to be certain of these things.”
Her fingers wound into the back of my hair as she stretched up to kiss me. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life,” she grinned.
EPILOGUE TWO
* Tana *
*** Nine Years Later ***
Walking through the living room, I picked up a sketchbook and a handful of colored pencils that were in the middle of the floor, setting everything on the coffee table on my way to the kitchen to make tea. Picking up toys as I went was somehow as natural as picking things up around the office. I was always straightening up after everyone, but it was my job wherever I was, and I loved it.
One might think that with two daughters, our house would be filled with pink sparkles, ballet outfits, and dreams of becoming a princess, dancer, or artist.
No. My daughters both wanted to be a carpenter and builder like Daddy.
They devised plans for an extension on the house when they were just six and four, trying to convince us that we’d have room for horses. Now that Kasey was seven and Nicole was nearly five, they were working on plans for a backyard fort, which was a bit more reasonable.
Tyler was excited beyond belief, and gave them a building supply store catalog so they could start selecting materials. I’ve provided all of them with safety goggles, but other than that, I stay out of their way.
I’d heard so many other mothers at the girls’ school complaining about their husbands not spending time with the kids, and not pitching in enough, but Tyler has been a dream. Sure, he still has to work late sometimes, but if there is something important like a tee-ball game, he’ll be there early, no matter what.
I could hear him upstairs now, listening to endless tales of everything that happened to the girls at school today.
After I fixed myself a cup of herbal tea, I curled up on the couch with a book for a bit of quiet time. We decided years ago that we would take turns putting the girls to bed, to give the other parent an hour alone. It’s a great system, and made Saturday nights seem special when we did it together.
Within seconds, Pumpkin, our old orange and white cat, prowled in to sit on my feet for a few minutes while I scratched between her ears. Then she got up and went to her spot on the chair in the corner. She loved attention, but only briefly.
The sweet fur monster had been Megan’s for years. But when she settled down with Timothy, who was a wonderful man but allergic to cats, Pumpkin came to live with us. It was a great excuse for Megan to come visit at least monthly. Sometimes Timothy joined us for barbeques out on our giant back porch.
Half of a chapter of a cozy mystery novel later, I heard my big, strapping husband come downstairs. “In here,” I called out quietly.
“Of course you’re in your reading nook,” he smiled.
Placing my book down, I sat up straight on the couch and spread my legs invitingly. “Floor.”
His instant grin always sent a magical warmth straight through me. Tyler sat on the floor, with his back toward me at the perfect height. Leaning forward and taking hold of those broad shoulders, I began working his muscles.
“Pumpkin, look away,” he muttered, “I’m being spoiled rotten again.”
It had become our nightly ritual. Whoever had a rough day got shoulder rubs or foot rubs before bed. Or we’d just take turns. It was an incredible way to connect and unwind.
I didn’t bother mentioning to Tyler that I had researched a bit online so that I could soothe his overworked muscles better, and now knew where to really dig in.
Dragging my thumbs along the back of his shoulder blade, Tyler groaned. “Your hands are getting stronger, sweetheart. That feels so good.”
Leaning forward, I kissed the top of his hair. “Nothing but the best for my hardworking man.”
“I think our daughters are going to be hardworking as well,” he chuckled. “They’re extremely serious about this fort. Kasey wants to make sure that the bookshelves inside are waterproof for when it rains, and Nicole wants a tire swing underneath.”
“So they’re going with a tree fort? Thank goodness you already have the tools,” I laughed, “Or this would cost a fortune.”
“I’m teaching them how to comparison-shop and budget the materials,” he said, turning his head to smile up at me. “They’re only allowed to buy one expensive element, and have to pick and choose whether it’s going to be indoors or outdoors. The rest will be basic.”
Running my thumbs up the back of his neck, he groaned louder. “Don’t worry, they’ll need Mommy to help them decorate.” He tilted his head back to look at me upside down. “We wouldn’t want them to have an unbalanced color scheme out there. What would the neighbors think?”
As I laughed, Tyler turned, pulling me down to the floor with him, and kissing just under my ear in that little spot that always made me twitch.
“Maybe someday I’ll build you a fort, gorgeous,” he said. “A giant reading nook with an automatic tea dispenser.”
“We might need a bigger backyard.”
“That could be arranged in a few years,” he said. “We just won the McDougall contract, so six months from now we’ll have a nice chunk of money to play with.”
All thoughts of finances and building dissolved as he kissed me just hard enough, just softly enough, to reassure me that he wanted me in his arms forever.
*** The End ***
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About the Author: Romance author Haley Travis lives in a charming (old and rundown) little house with an old fashioned (overgrown and crazy) garden and just the right amount of books (six giant overstuffed shelves, the floor is starting to creak). She enjoys writing quirky, sexy modern romance, and loves creating interesting female characters who are at a turning point in their lives.
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