“Okay,” I reply, feeling a little breathy and lightheaded from his kisses.
He takes a breath and holds my gaze as he whispers, “I love you. I didn’t plan on it happening, but somewhere between the bar and our late-night talks, I fell completely head over heels in love with you.”
My heart literally did some sort of pirouette in my chest at his declaration. I’ve been told those words before, but it never felt like this, like he’s the air I breathe. “I love you too.”
He seems surprised for a moment. “Yeah?”
“Yes, you big idiot,” I reply with a chuckle, repeating what Charli likes to call him. “I can’t believe you didn’t pick up on that.”
“Iaman idiot, according to my sister, and I’ve learned to never assume where love is concerned.”
I pull him closer, pressing my cheek to his chest. “Well, you will never have to assume or wonder about my love. I’ll make sure to always show you.”
He flashes me a Cheshire cat grin. “Yeah? Show me? How you gonna show me?”
I feel him grow harder against me. “I have a list. A pretty long, detailed one.”
“Let’s go,” he states, taking my hand and carefully pulling me off the four-wheeler.
“What? Where are we going?”
“To my truck.”
“But…your ATV,” I reply with a chuckle.
“I’ll come get it later. Or Wyatt can.”
Before I know it, we’re both on Wyatt’s four-wheeler and heading back to the farm at a clipped pace. The wind blows through my hair, and I have a smile on my face as I wrap my arms tightly around Collin’s chest. With my cheek resting against his back, I close my eyes and just…feel.
This is what real love feels like.
I know it.
Everything about this man has felt different from the first day I met him, and I can’t wait to spend my days getting to know him better. To share my life with him and grow, bothindividually and together. I don’t know what our future holds, but I’m anxious to find out.
A few months ago, I was dreaming of the life I wanted, and now I’m living that dream. I moved an hour away, purchased an old bar, and am transforming it into something I can be proud of. It’s not complete, but I’m okay with a work in progress. Why? Because it’s mine.
Then there’s Collin. I wasn’t planning on him, but sometimes that’s exactly how God works. When you least expect it, that’s when someone amazing walks into the bar.
Life isn’t easy, but it’s worth living to the fullest.
And that’s what I want to do.
Will that lead me to a future with Collin? Maybe a house in the country, a few kids, and a dog chasing them around the backyard? It’s too soon to plan all that, but maybe someday, down the road, I hope so.
I’ve always had a pretty good head on my shoulders. I’d figure out what I want and how to make it happen, and for the first time, I see a man by my side—the one I love—riding the storms of life with me. Someone who sees my dreams as equal to his and wants to help me reach them. Likewise, I’ll do whatever I can to support him in any way I can.
So now, the big question.
What do I want out of life?
It’s simple, really.
I want it all.
That’s my request.
EPILOGUE
