“Wow,” Jace says. “I’ve never even left America.”
“Me either,” Ethan says.
“Really?” Westley says, his shock evident.
A chorus of “me either” follows. Turns out us ranchers like to stay close to home.
“Where do you want to take our honeymoon?” Carli whispers to me.
“Anywhere,” I say, smiling at her.
“Anywhere?”
“Anywhere you are. That’s where I want to be.”
She smiles and leans into me. I wrap my arm loosely behind her shoulder and we finish our meal with our siblings chatting about places Westley has traveled.
After brunch, I walk Carli out.
I lean in and place a soft kiss on her lips. She steps forward, wrapping her arms around my neck, and kisses me more fully. I hold her, aware we’re in front of everyone who matters.
When she pulls away, I say, “I like being able to kiss you without worrying who will see us.”
Jace walks by us and says, “Still not okay!” but he keepswalking and glances back with nearly a smile on his face. Maybe it won’t take ten years.
I kiss Carli again, quickly. "I kind of liked sneaking around, though.”
“Me too,” she says, smiling up at me.
“I might miss the thrill of it," I confess.
Her grin is playful, her voice hushed. "Anytime you want me to meet you on the old Waddell property, send me a text, and I'll sneak out in the dark of night to meet you."
I wrap her in a hug. “I think I want to meet you here on Lawson Ranch … and at your cabin … and your parents’ house … at the bakery … the town hall … hmmm …” I scratch my chin trying to think of other public places we haven’t been seen together yet.
Carli laughs. “I’ll meet you anywhere. We’ve got time now. All the time in the world.”
I reach over and interlace our fingers. “Yes. You’re right. We’ve got all the time in the world.”
Epilogue
Carli
What a strange thing it was to be in love,
and to feel so safe.
~ Unknown
I’mat the Lawson ranch, standing in the living room, bouncing the baby, swaying from side to side. He’s fussy and won’t settle easily. Cody’s on the sectional chatting with his brothers.
“Shhhhhh,” I say in my best baby-soothing voice. “Shhhhh.” I hum a little, increasing the intensity of the bounce and cradling his head for comfort and security.
“Shhhhh, Mitchell,” I shush him again. He squirms in my arms.
I lift him and sniff his bottom. “Ewwwww. Buddy! You’re more potent than a hog barn on a summer afternoon.” I turn to Cody and ask, “Can you grab the diaper bag for me?”
Cody grabs the bag, handing it in my direction and smiling up at me.
