“Yep,” we both reply in unison.
Austin shifts back, a slow-growing smirk appearing as his gaze roams over my face. “This time I’m definitely goin’ first.”
“Really? Why’s that?”
He moves his mouth to my ear. “That way I get a front-row seat to you wearin’ that harness.”
Thatearns a shiver that his low chuckle tells me he didn't miss. And let me tell you, I feel him watching me the whole time as I carefully make my way back to him.
“Where to now?” I ask, feeling like I’m walking on air as we reach his truck.
“Now we go home.”
22
AUSTIN
Instead of going back to the cabin, I drive my truck down the main dirt road leading through the ranch, parking it next to a field that’s still within sight of the ranch house, but far enough away to still give a sense of privacy.
After helping a more-than-a-little-curious Char down from her seat, I grab what I need from the back and lead her through the grass and toward the small creek that runs down from the mountain.
“Wow. This is beautiful,” she says as I set up a blanket over the long grass and hold out my hand for her to join me. Once she’s next to me, I wrap my arm over her shoulder and pull her in close.
“This is where I could build my own cabin one day,” I say, staring out over the ranch.
Charlie’s body goes still before she recovers and shifts back slightly to send a puzzled look my way. “Where youcould?”
"Yeah. With my brothers all partnerin’ up, the bunkhouse isn’t quite cuttin’ it as far as permanent accommodations go. Then there’s Lee and Colt who are comin’ back for good in the summer. We all sat down after Christmas and decided that it’s time we started thinkin’ about buildin’ our forever homes in the fields surroundin’ the ranch house. This one here is mine.”
“It’s a lovely spot, Austin. It’s veryyou,” she replies softly.
“It is?”
“Yeah.” She looks around the area. “It’s calm and peaceful, which is just how you’ve always liked it. Your workshop is just over there too, right? That’s an easy walk away but still far enough so that you’ve got the privacy you need.”
I reach over and cradle her cheek in my palm, loving the way she leans into my touch. "You really know me, don't you?"
"Oh yeah. I've got your number, mister. You better watch out.” She smirks before her gaze roams over my face. The longer she does it, the more puzzled her expression becomes. "What's goin’ on in that handsome head of yours?”
I shake my head with a wry grin. “You always know how to make me talk too.”
"It's one of my special talents. C'mon, Austin. Let me in…" It's the calm plea in her voice and remembering Cora's advice that gives me the courage I need to goallin and lay it all on the line.
Pushing to my feet, I hold out my hand and help Char up before I lead her over to a big tree next to the running water of the stream. "Right here, I want to put a rope swing or a hammock. Somewhere I can just lay with you and forget about the world for a while." She squeezes my hand before I turn around and pointto the northern side. "Over there is where I want the house to be. It’s goin’ to need lots of space and bedrooms, but common areas for the family to gather in. But I’ll be happy with whatever you want as long as we have a bedroom with our own bathroom, a big shower, an even bigger window lookin’ up at the mountain. Got to have a lock for the door though. Other than that, I’ll build you whatever you want.”
Her eyes light up with a mixture of surprise and excitement, a soft smile playing on her lips. “You’d want to build us a house? a home?”
“I wasn’t goin’ to do it any time soon. I was just goin’ to bunk down in the ranch house until everyone else had built theirs. But then you came back, and I knewwhyI couldn’t do it before—It’s because you weren’t here.Now, I can’t think of anythin’ I want more.” I lean in to kiss her forehead. “It’s as good a place as any to start our future together.”
Charlie’s gaze drifts back to the sprawling landscape before she turns to me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
"I do," I say without hesitation, letting go of her hand long enough to move behind her and wrap my arms around her.
Char's quiet after that. So quiet that if she wasn't standing in my arms, I'd be a little worried.
“We’ll need a big kitchen for when it’s our turn for Sunday night dinner,” she says in a rough whisper, her face tilting up to mine. I kiss her gently, teasing, not allowing either one of us the chance to lose ourselves in each other. Not yet.
“How many bedrooms will we need?” I murmur into her ear before resting my jaw against her temple.
