“The therapist Abby and I are gonna visit also works for Aiden.”
“Really? I’m glad Abby is open to going. I know you still go.”
“Yeah, I’m going to have to break the news to Callie that I’m seeing someone new.”
Kyle laughed. “I’m sure she’ll understand. Seriously though, Bishop, I’m happy you’re happy.”
“Thanks, Kyle.”
“Do you need anything for tonight?”
“Nope, just bring yourself. Are you bringing a date?”
He let out a cynical laugh. “Nah. I think I’m going to take a step back and focus on work for a bit. Women make my head hurt.”
I rolled my eyes. “Tell me about it. I’ll see you later.”
“See ya soon.”
After I hung up with Kyle, I made my way back into the house and started to clean up the kitchen.
I felt Abby’s presence before I even turned and saw her. She wrapped her warm arms around my waist, and I heard her take in a deep breath through her nose. God, this felt like old times. As if we’d simply picked up where we’d left off before she’d lost the baby.
“You smell so good,” she said. “Oh, how I’ve missed this smell. It’s like pine trees and spice mixed together in a delicious concoction.”
Turning in her arms, I leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. “You’re more than welcome to spread my scent all over you, anytime you like.”
She smiled up at me. “Let me help you clean. When is everyone coming over?”
“In a little under two hours.”
“Let me take care of this—you go do what you need to do.”
I watched as Abby moved around the kitchen like she’d never left. “Are you sure?”
She nodded and shooed me away with her hand. “I’m sure. Go do your thing, I’ve got this.”
Kissing her once more, I started to turn, but then stopped and faced her. “You’re staying, right? I mean, you’re not leaving, are you?”
Her eyes looked misty for a moment before she gave me a sweet smile. “I’m staying. I was thinking maybe I should go home and grab some things, so I could stay the night. Then we can talk more about me potentially moving back in? If that’s what you really want.”
It only took me two steps to reach her, pull her into my arms, and kiss her again. Then another two seconds to start undoing her pants.
Giggling, she asked, “Bishop, what are you doing?”
I snuck my hand into her jeans, and she gasped when I slipped one finger inside of her. I placed my mouth next to her ear and whispered, “I’m going to make love to my wife in our kitchen.”
Two hours later, the fire was going in the pit down by the barn, and our guests were set to show up at any moment. After making love to Abby on our kitchen floor earlier, we’d both gotten to work. She’d cleaned up the inside of the house in record time and had come out to help me set up everything for the night. We had stuff for s’mores, hot dogs, and hot apple cider, as well as hot chocolate.
Abby walked up and handed me a beer before she sat down on one of the chairs around the firepit. “I called my folks.”
I lifted the beer to my mouth and took a drink. “And?”
“I told them we’d been talking and working through things…and that I was going to move back in with you.”
I lifted a brow. “What did your dad say?”
A wide smile appeared on her face. “His exact words were, ‘It’s about damn time.’”
Laughing, I shook my head. “That’s pretty much what my folks said too. I told them you’ve been here all day.”
She chewed on her lip nervously.
“Hey,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “They love you, Abby. I filled them in a bit and told them we’re going to counseling together. My mom just wants to see you and hug you the moment they get back.”
Abby wiped a tear from her cheek.
Standing, I tugged on her hand. “Come here.”
She stood, and I leaned down to kiss her before I sat again and brought her down with me. She threw her legs over the arm of the chair and snuggled into my chest as we both took in the moment. The fire popping was one of my favorite sounds. Past the firepit was an endless view of frasiers, spruce, pines, and balsams. All covered with a light dusting of snow.
“I’d forgotten how beautiful it is here in the winter,” Abby said softly. “It’s stunning.”
“It is,” I replied. “And today it feels like heaven.”
Tilting her head up to look at me, she smiled. “So, are we dating?”
My head fell back, and I let out a roar of laughter. “I mean, technically, we’re not married anymore, so I guess that means we are dating.”
Abby chuckled, then looked out over the mountainside. “This is the first time in two years that I’ve felt hopeful, and I have a sense of peace inside of me.”
I held onto her a bit tighter. “Abby, I want to ask you something.”
Her body went rigid for a moment. “Okay.”
“Look at me, Abs.”
She turned her head and met my gaze.
“Do you forgive me?”
Her eyes went wide with shock. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m the one who needs forgiveness, Bishop.”
“And you have it. I gave it to you freely back in the greenhouse.”
She cupped the side of my face, and I leaned into her hand. “Bishop, you haven’t done anything that needs forgiveness.”
“But I have, Abs. I thought we were over for good, and I—”
She pressed her finger to my mouth. “Stop. It’s my turn to ask you a question.”
All I could do was give her one nod.
“Bishop Harris, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband again?”
A rush of warmth ran through my entire body as my heart began to pound.
“I don’t want to date. I want to live my life with you. To be your wife, help you on the farm, wake up in your arms, and fall asleep on your chest. I want to…” Her voice cracked, and she sniffled before she went on. “I want to tell you every single day that I love you and only you. And more than anything, my dream is to have a family with you. I’m sorry it took me so long to see that the love we share will help us overcome anything together.”
My heart slammed against my chest as I watched a tear slip free and move slowly down her cheek. I reached up and wiped it away with the pad of my thumb and whispered her name. “Abby.” Brushing a kiss across her lips, I smiled. “Your name is the only one that has ever been written on my heart. Even when I was desperate to let you go, I couldn’t. I love you more than I love anything. As far as I’m concerned, it’s me and you for eternity. And yes, I’ll marry you. Again.”
Abby threw her arms around my neck and kissed me. The last of the anger, the hurt, the sadness, and the guilt all slipped away.
A whistle came from the other side of the firepit, and we both pulled back. Abby turned in my arms to see who was there, and I looked up over her head.
Kyle and Hunter were walking up with Jack and Kyle’s new K9 puppy, Cat. It still puzzled me why in the hell he’d named his dog…Cat. That was Kyle though.
“A puppy!” Abby called out as she scrambled to get off my lap.
Kyle laughed when Abby nearly threw herself to the ground. The puppy started licking her like crazy. “You’re not making Cat’s training very easy, Abby, by gushing all over her. She’s a police pup—show some respect.”
Abby and Kyle exchanged some sort of secret look before she said, “I’m sorry, she’s just so adorable! Oh my goodness. She’s so cute.”
Jack sat next to Hunter and watched the entire scene play out. Hunter finally cleared his throat loudly, and Abby looked up.
“Oh my. Look at that handsome boy!”
“Well, I do try to keep up appearances,” Hunter said with a smirk.
Abby set Cat down and ignored Hunter as she approached Jack. “May I?”
Hunter motioned for her to go ahead. “
He loves attention.”
Abby bent down again, and then Jack was all over her, giving her just as much love back.
“How’s the training going?” I asked, pitching a beer to Kyle and then one to Hunter.
Kyle and Hunter exchanged a glance before they pointedly looked at Abby, still letting Jack give her love, and then back at me.
“Do you really think we’re going to walk up on the two of you kissing and just let it go?” Hunter asked.
Abby glanced over at them, a huge smile on her face. My heart tumbled around in my chest as I saw how the happiness seemed to glow off her.
“Abby asked me to marry her, and I said yes.”
Kyle and Hunter’s eyes went wide.
“Dude, what? That’s amazing!” Hunter reached out for my hand and pulled me in for a quick hug. He turned to Abby, who was standing now, and drew her in for a hug as well. “Damn, it’s good to have you back, Abby.”
“It’s good to be back.”
Kyle hugged Abby next, and I swore he whispered something into her ear. She looked up at him and smiled, then hugged him again before she walked back over to me.
Before I even had time to ask her what Kyle had said, Aiden, Willa, and Ben walked up. It was then I noticed everyone pulling in and parking.
Turning back to Hunter and Kyle, I said, “If you don’t mind, keep it to yourself for a bit. I’d rather let everyone know once they’re all here.”
“Of course, dude.” Kyle bent down and picked up Cat. “I’m going to go introduce Cat to Ben!”
I shook my head. “That’s right, Kyle, confuse the toddler with that one.”
He lifted his hand and shot me the middle finger as I laughed.
Willa made her way up to us and hugged Abby first. “It’s so good seeing you up here, Abby!”
Aiden shook my hand, then gave me a wink. “I like seeing that smile on your face.”
I grinned. “I like having it on my face.”
As everyone started to arrive, they greeted Abby with wildly happy hugs and welcome homes.
Abby had invited her folks to come this evening, and I was glad to see they took her up on it. When Pete and Crystal showed up, they immediately came over to Abby and me and took us to the side to speak to us privately. They both made it clear how happy they were that we had made amends and gave us their blessings.
Pete glanced at where Abby was talking to Greer and then focused on me. “It’s nice to see you both looking happy. I always thought you two belonged together.”
My gaze drifted across the crowd of people and landed on Abby. She must have felt me looking at her, because she turned her head and our eyes met. “I know we do.”
She smiled, and I felt a flutter inside my chest.
“I’m going to mingle around,” Pete said, making his way over to Hunter and Kyle.
“Tell me you’re going to make her your wife again,” Aiden said as he reached his hand out to shake mine.
“Well, considering she proposed to me earlier, and I said yes, I’m pretty confident it’ll happen.”
A wide smile erupted on Aiden’s face. He glanced over at Abby, who was laughing at something Greer had said to her. Turning back to me, he said, “You both look happy. I’m glad—you two were always meant to be together.”
I nodded. “I am happy, and I agree. We’ll probably make it official once everyone settles down around the firepit.” I cleared my throat. “You’re going to cut down a tree, right?”
He laughed. “Hell yeah. Ben is looking forward to it. I love that you still do this for family and friends, Bishop. It’s a nice tradition.”
“Speaking of, we better get everyone out there so you guys can pick out your trees and get them secured to take home before we lose daylight.”
I stood on a chair and whistled, drawing everyone’s attention to me.
“I wanted to first say thank you, friends and family, for coming out again this year and spending your Thanksgiving afternoon and evening with me and Abby.”
Cheers rang out among everyone. I peeked over to see that Abby’s cheeks were red.
I held up my hands to quiet everyone down. “We’re going to be heading out on the tractor and trailer, so everyone can pick out a tree. Afterward, we’ll head back up to the firepit for s’mores, hot dogs, hot apple cider, and hot chocolate. I think everyone knows the drill by now, but any questions?”
Bryce called out, “The only question I’ve got is: are you two finally back together?”
More cheers and whistles rang through the small group. I looked down to see that Abby had walked over to me. I reached out a hand. She looked at it, then at me.
“Give me your hand, Abs.”
She smiled and set her hand in mine, allowing me to pull her up onto the chair.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
I pulled her close and kissed her.
Abby wrapped her arms around my neck and deepened the kiss. The noise around us slowly disappeared as we both got lost in the moment. It was Abby who finally broke away first.
Turning to look back at Bryce, I yelled out, “Does that answer your question?”
He let out a roar of laughter. “It sure as hell does!”
“You’re crazy,” Abby said with a laugh. God, how I loved that laugh of hers. I’d missed it a lot more than I’d realized.
We jumped down, and I put my arm around her waist. “For you, I am.”
“Shall we?” she asked, motioning for me to lead the way.
“Let’s go.” Together, we walked over to the tractor. Abby started to climb up, but I pulled her back down. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Driving the tractor.”
With a disbelieving chuckle, I shook my head. “You’re not driving the tractor.”
She pouted. “Why not?”
“One, it’s been at least two years since you’ve driven it. And two, you can sit on my lap while I drive it.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “I think I’ll sit in the trailer and help Bryce pass out hot chocolate.”
I winked. “Next year, I’ll let you drive the tractor.”
Abby
To say I’d been floating on cloud nine all evening would be an understatement. After everyone picked out their trees, baled them, and loaded them up, we all sat around the firepit and drank cider and hot chocolate. A few folks enjoyed a beer or two, and nearly everyone roasted marshmallows for s’mores.
It was wonderful to be able to catch up with everyone as we laughed and talked about anything and everything. I’d been nervous about how some people would feel about me being there. Especially on a night when it was all our good friends and family, and I knew I’d hurt most of them by leaving. But, like Bishop, everyone made me feel so welcomed and loved. My cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling so much.
His eyes met mine, and I grinned like a little schoolgirl talking to her first crush. It had been happening all night. I would feel Bishop’s eyes on me, and when I searched for him, our eyes would meet. My stomach would drop or my chest would flutter. It used to happen like that before I left too. I had always been so aware of Bishop’s presence. It was almost like we breathed as one. And for that to have simply picked up again, like no time had passed, was amazing. A testament to our love.
“If you keep staring at him like that, everyone’s going to know what you’re thinking.”
My face grew hot as I looked up at Arabella. She sat down, and we wrapped our arms together. She lay her head on my shoulder and sighed. “I’m so happy for you, Abby. I know how much you love Bishop.”
I tilted my head so it rested on hers. “Just like I know how much you love Hunter.”
Her body stiffened.
“Arabella, don’t you think it’s time to tell him? It’s so clear to me that he still has feelings for you. I know you don’t want to see it, but after the other night at the sleepover…the way he looked at you. Everyone saw it.”
“I thought everyone was noticing how
you and Bishop looked at each other.”
“And now look at us.”
Arabella lifted her head off my shoulder. “It’s been too long, Abby. So much has happened between us that I’m not even sure I can tell him. I don’t even want to think about it myself, let alone tell Hunter.”
“Who says it’s been too long? Arabella, you’re miserable. You love him. He clearly has feelings for you. I know it’s scary—believe me, I know. I thought for sure Bishop would never forgive me, and look at us. I’m so over-the-moon happy right now, I can’t think straight.”
She grinned. “It’s not about me right now. It’s about you. I still can’t believe you asked him to marry you!”
With a slight chuckle, I replied, “I know. But it just felt so right.”
“When do you want to get married?”
I glanced around for Bishop and saw him standing with Kyle and Hunter over by the barn. They were helping Bishop’s folks load a Christmas tree onto their car.
I looked back at Arabella and leaned in closer. “I need your help with something.”
“Okay,” she said in a cautious tone. “What do you need my help with?”
After another quick look around, I said, “I need your help planning our wedding without Bishop knowing.”
Her brows pulled in. “Wait…what?”
I stood and took her by the arm, casually walking us a bit farther away from everyone. “Bishop once told me he wished we had gotten married on Christmas Eve, and he suggested that someday we renew our vows then.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
Nodding, I said, “Yes. I know it’s only a month away, but I’d love to surprise him with a wedding on Christmas Eve. Would you help me plan it? I want it to be simple. Nothing big, just our closest friends and family.”
Arabella’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to help you plan your wedding!”
“Shh, we have to keep it between us.”
“Okay, but how will we get everyone to show up?”
“I was thinking we could host a Christmas Eve lunch or dinner here, in the greenhouse. We can set up the tables and decorate them for the reception, but Bishop will think it’s just for the lunch or dinner.”
Arabella did a little jump and clapped her hands together. “This is going to be so much fun! I’ve already got some ideas for the food swirling around in my head. Would you mind if I asked Candace to help with the food? I’m sure you’re going to be busy with the flowers and such.”
She's the One (Boggy Creek Valley Book 3) Page 20