The next evening after I finish work, I drive to the ranch. I get out of the car slowly and walk up the steps to Brayden’s house. I knock, my stomach doing cartwheels.
“I moved out on my own,” I say as soon as he opens his door.
His eyes brighten. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I step inside and shut the door behind me.
“Yes. I’m finally okay.” I reach out and hug him, resting my cheek against his soft blue t-shirt. “I live on my own for the first time in my life. And I officially dropped out of the PhD program.”
I step inside and shut the door behind me. “Plus, I’m going to lease the empty business suite next door to June’s and do my painting there.”
“That’s awesome,” he says.
“And I’m seeing a therapist.”
He takes my hand. “That’s great, Leleila. I’ll support you with that in any way I can.”
He leads me out to his porch and lies down on the rug in front of the fire. I join him, and he stretches his legs out, his blue jeans still hugging every part of him to perfection. He points at the cracks in the ceiling paint. “It’s a sun. You see it?”
I look where he’s pointing. “I do,” I say, and I feel the blood coming into my body after my day of work.
Brayden reaches over and takes my hand in his.
“A lot of changes, and they’re all good,” he says. “So let’s celebrate.”
I turn to face him, and my stomach clenches. “What do you mean?”
“I mean”—Brayden turns on his side and kisses my neck—“I want to spend quality time with you indoors at last with no interruptions.” He stands up to draw the shades and then lies back down next to me. “What do you say?”
I feel like I’m going to explode if he doesn’t touch me right now. I say yes.
“All day?” I reach for the buttons on his jeans.
“And night,” he says as he kisses me.
“I love you, Brayden Wild,” I say. “You’re my best friend. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Brayden’s sapphire eyes are clear and brighter than ever as he looks at me. “I’m so in love with you, Leleila. I can’t picture myself with anyone else. No matter how many obstacles seemed to be in our path, all I’ve wanted is to spend every day together. I’ve never loved a woman like I love you. This feels like I never want it to end. I’m forever yours. And hopefully you’ll be forever mine.”
Forever sounds good to me now. When it’s with the right person, forever sounds perfect.
Epilogue
Brayden
I watch as Leleila heads toward me down the cereal aisle of June’s store. Same beautiful woman with the striking green eyes, coming to meet me in a store aisle. But everything else is different. She’s different.
The tension that always coiled around her, that look of almost near-pain she would wear, is gone. Leleila Wills is happier now. And of course I’d love to take all the credit, but I’m just one piece of the puzzle. Her dream of painting is becoming a reality. She sold a few pieces to a couple of stores on Main Street, and she’s going to hold her first showcase at her studio early next year.
Phillip and Mindy started dating and moved out of Mountainview and into Missoula so he could be closer to campus. Leleila said she didn’t care either way, but I know it was a relief for her to not have to run into them in town all the time. We still see him and Mindy occasionally at Big Sky Grocer, and the four of us are friendly. But they don’t come to town often.
After a year of dating like “normal” people, Leleila and I finally decided to move in together. I had purchased Big River Ranch six months earlier, and Leleila said she couldn’t imagine finding anywhere she loved as much.
We’ve already discussed how much we want to start a family together someday in the near future. And that’s why I’ve got this ring burning a hole in my pocket.
When Leleila reaches me, I put my hands on her waist. “Come walk with me,” I say as I give her a long, sweet kiss.
“Where are we going, Bray?” she asks me as I pull back. Her eyes are dazed and slightly unfocused like they always are after I kiss her.
