She shakes her head. “We were always going to end up here. I just mean me, thinking about giving up everything to stay here.”
That isnotwhat I expected her to say. “You’d do that for me?”
Her head cocks to the side, her brows furrowing deep. “This is your mountain, your home. I want it to bemyhome. I just can’t think about how to make that happen, or what that might even look like. I blame the sex. You’ve muddled my brain.”
I bring my arms up between us and hold her face in my hands, sweeping my thumb over her soft swollen bottom lip. “It’ll all work out, gorgeous. Whatever it takes, wherever we go, we’ll do it together. We’ve got time, OK? I have faith that everythin’ will work out. The mountain never gets it wrong. We’ve just got to believe in that.”
“I really do love you, you know,” she whispers.
“I really love you too.” I pull her in close and bring her mouth to mine. “And it’s time I reminded you just how much.”
“Again?” she says, her voice filled with wonder and delight.
“Oh yeah. It might even take all night.”
Chapter 22
Blair
Amonth has passed since the wedding.
That’s not to say it hasn’t been busy. We’ve had Sutton’s parents staying with us at the ranch–and taking over Sutton’s room–so that they could help out while Will and Birdie, then Case and Isla, each had a two-week honeymoon one after the other.
It’s also been four weeks since Sutton and I completed the Call and my life became forever tied to his. He spends every night in the cabin now–and not just because of his parents staying in the ranch house.
I’ve fallen even more in love with him but it’s more than that. I just like hanging out with the guy. He’s funny, kind, thoughtful and surprisingly domestic. We even had our first fight over hanging out the laundry. Thankfully, we also had our first ‘make-up’ which wasspectacular.
I even thanked his mom for raising such a gentleman. She just shot her son a soft smile and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “He likes to make those he loves happy. He’s always thinking about everyone else and puttin’ them before himself. I’m glad he has you to give the same back to him.”
Unfortunately, something I can’t stop thinking about is the ticking clock counting down my time on the ranch and the big questions that deadline raises about my future.
Do I go back to Minnesota? Do I stay here and give up everything for love? More importantly, would I resent Sutton if I did that?
Then there’s the other options–would Sutton leave his family–hismountain–to stay with me? Could I commute? Would Iwantto?
Or do I give up my practice, my patients, and the small sliver of a life I’ve carved out for myself to start over somewhere closer like Anchorage or Palmer just so I can visit here more often than if I was in the lower states?
So many options, so little idea of what to do…
Sutton can tell I’m distracted and he’s made it clear that he’s always willing to lend a listening ear. While I haven’t talked to him about all the different options I’ve come up with, we have talked about our hopes and dreams and what we want for the future.
On that, we agree; a destination wedding in the middle of nowhere–maybe even at Hidden Lake since that was our first official date, three children if we’re blessed enough to have them, and keeping a connection with the land like we both had growing up.
What I love more than anything is that I know I have a steady rock, confidante and supportive partner in Sutton. He continues to prove that he has–and always will be–the man he’s always shown himself to be. Nothing has changed since we cemented our relationship and completed the Call, if anything, I feelmoretied to the man.Not that I’m complaining.
When we’re not physically together, it’s like there’s a part of me missing. It’s only once he’s back by my side that I feel OK again. It was such a weird feeling that I had to askBirdie about it. She directed me to Aster’s series based around Eagle Mountain. That’s when I learned you can have physical symptoms when you’re away from your One.
This afternoon though is my meeting with Tabitha set for halfway through my contract. However, instead of meeting in her office like I expected, she made us a reservation at the Falls Pan & Grill restaurant, the only Michelin starred restaurant in the state.
Birdie and Isla both work there on an as needed basis–not as much as they used to though since they met Will and Case. As they told me, the chef is a born and bred Timber Fallian who left town to study and expand her knowledge. When she got the chance to open her own restaurant, there was only one place she wanted it to be. Lucky for the town, it’s a huge tourist attraction now too and somewhere I’ve been dying to go to.
I’m making my way down what the locals call ‘Restaurant Row’ when my phone vibrates. Pulling it out, I smile when I see Sutton’s name on screen.
Sutton: I’d wish you luck but I know you don’t need it. You’ve put a lot of work into this already and I know Tabitha’s going to be impressed. I love you. Go get ‘em, gorgeous.
Blair: You, doctor, are very good for a girl’s confidence. I love you too. Thanks for your support and for your inspirational foot rubs that helped get this report finished *wink wink*
Sutton: I’ll inspire you any time and any way you want, gorgeous. Jude’s helping me out with something this afternoon on the ranch. But I’ll come find you when I’m done. We can celebrate!
