“Yeah, and those two are one more domestic dispute away from being aDatelineepisode.” Phern eyes Will. “Come on. Flowers End. It’s perfect.”
She says it so easily, like it’s obvious. I glance at Will, and from the flush creeping up his neck, I get the feeling they’ve talked about this before. More than once, knowing Phern and her persistent nature.
Will clears his throat, adjusting his hat.
“I’ll think about it,” he mutters, but the ghost of a smile tugs at his mouth.
Eventually, the evening winds down.
Sam and Charlie head out first, promising to bring over a casserole tomorrow because “Olive’s gonna be too busy breaking in the ranch house to cook.”
Phern lingers a few minutes longer, ribbing Will until he practically shoves her out the door with a muttered “She’s gonna be the death of me.”
And just like that, it’s quiet again.
Just me and Liam.
And the big, beautiful, terrifying future in front of us.
I stand in the middle of the living room, still barefoot, still feeling like I’m floating somewhere between grief and joy, when Liam moves behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
He rests his chin on my shoulder, his voice a soft, low rumble against my ear.
“Welcome home, honey.”
The words hit harder than I expect, stealing the air from my lungs. I turn in his arms, sliding my hands up his chest, my heart so full it aches.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my throat tight.
He grins, tipping his forehead against mine.
“Got one more surprise for you,” he says.
My brows lift. “Liam Stone, if you got me another cow, I'm gonna make you sleep in the barn.”
One Christmas he bought a cow for the ranch and said it was my present. I’ve never let him live it down because we both knew that cow was a present forhim.
He laughs a deep, full sound that wraps around my heart like a hug.
“No cow,” he promises. “Come on.”
He tugs my hand gently and leads me down the hallway, past the guest rooms, until we stop in front of a closed door that leads to the mudroom at the back of the house.
I frown.
“Why are we going to the mudroom?”
He just winks and pushes the door open.
And there in the center of the room is Sammi, my little black kitten. She’s purring on a giant, cushioned cat tree that looks like it cost a fortune. There are toys scattered everywhere, climbing shelves mounted on the walls, a cozy bed tucked into one corner, and a custom sign that reads Sammi's Room hanging over the door.
Tears blur my vision instantly.
“You—" My voice breaks. “You did all this?”
Liam shrugs, trying for nonchalance but failing miserably.
“Figured she deserved a home, too.” He rubs the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish.
