“I don’t want that sweet ass of yours getting cold.” I kiss her neck behind her ear.
“So thoughtful of you.” She turns her head and kisses me quickly.
There are people roaming around the edges of the falls, taking pictures, and a few stopping for a snack or drink break. But I’m perfectly content, sitting here with my wife in my arms.
“Isn’t this beautiful?”
She’s looking out over the water cascading down the rocks. Some streams of water are frozen, making it almost look like something from a movie.
And it is beautiful, but when I look back at her face, nothing compares.
“Yeah, it’s breathtaking.” I pull her in tighter and breathe in her and this moment.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
BROOKE
This placethat Silas found for us this weekend is surreal. It’s called the Birdhouse because it’s nestled in the woods, tucked into the trees a few miles away from the falls. The small cabin is on stilts, giving us a full view of the Arbuckle Mountains. I’ve never seen anything like it.
There’s a king-size bed, a walk-in shower made of river rock, a huge garden tub, a tiny kitchen, and a dining table. A small electric fireplace sits under the windows, and a couch faces that stunning view. And it smells like pine and fresh air. Then outside, there is a round table on the deck, but it’s too chilly to sit out there now that the sun is setting.
The warmth of the cabin is soothing after a long day in the cold. My legs ache from the miles we walked together, side by side. My belly is sore from laughing too hard on steep switchbacks that I almost slid down. My face is achy from smiling after every time he reached for me without looking whenever a trail got too narrow or steep.
Now we’re working together to make a quick dinner. I’m making the steaks we bought, and Silas cut up some vegetablesand potatoes for roasting. As I’m finishing up, he sets the table and opens a bottle of red wine.
The soft lighting, the fading sun, the view … it’s really perfect.
“You want some water or something else with your wine?” Silas wraps his arms around my waist from behind.
“Water is good. But thank you for the wine. I don’t have to drink, you know? It’s not often that I do. And I know you can’t right now, with training, so I’m okay without it.” I rest my head on his shoulder.
“It won’t bother me. I don’t feel like I’m missing out or anything. I’m not a big drinker.” He places kisses up and down my neck.
“Yeah, I guess that’s true. With the exception of a few times, I haven’t really seen you drink much.” I tilt my head, enjoying the feeling of his lips on my skin.
“Makes me feel kinda crappy the next day, so it’s just easier for me if I don’t.” He kisses my neck, then goes to the cabinet to get two glasses and fills them with water.
Silas walks back over to me at the stove, and he lays a hand on my hip. “Scoot over for a sec. Let me check on the food.”
I slide over enough for him to open the oven door. “It smells so good in here.” I peek in.
“Yeah, it does. We’re gonna have us a fine meal tonight, wife.” He pulls out the pan and sets it on the unused burners.
“Yes, we are, husband.” I move around him so I can turn the steaks.
He takes two plates and scoops some veggies and potatoes onto each one, then holds them out for me to set the steaks on. Then he leads me over to the table and sets our plates down, then pushes in my chair once I’m seated.
We eat and talk about our day. After the falls, we went to see the castle, and it was fun. Apparently, a professor from Walker built it in the early 1900s, and then it was abandoned and later became part of the park.
I’m enjoying doing things like this with Silas, because he’s just as fascinated as I am to learn and see new things. And he doesn’t tease me or make me feel like he knows more than I do.
“How’s the wine? Is it any good?” he asks as I take a sip.
“It’s good. I mean, I’m not a wine connoisseur or anything, but it tastes nice.” I smile over my glass. “I probably won’t have any more though. But we can take it home for Charlie and the girls.”
He nods, but looks like he has something on his mind. “You don’t drink much, and neither does your brother.”
