Eyes bright she took it from me and held it against her chest. “Babe, you didn’t have to get me a gift.”
I frowned. “Why wouldn’t I? You got me one.”
“I know but…” She shrugged.
“What?”
“Declan never once bought me a gift and yet we were married for one of my birthdays and a Christmas.”
The guy was all sorts of a prick but like my dad he was in the past.
“I won’t ever miss your birthday, Brownie. I promise to wake you on every one with an incredible orgasm from either my incredible dick or tongue. Now enough about him, open your gift.”
Excitedly she ripped the paper and looked down at the brown tube. “What is it?” She flipped the plastic lid on the end and peered inside. “It’s not a sex toy is it?”
“Come on, Brownie, as if you need a sex toy when you have my penis. Besides, I’d never trust Bertie to wrap something like that. She’d asked too many questions.”
Her laugh rang out, making my chest swell.
Raising an amused brow, she reached inside and pulled out the rolled uppaper. Tapping my knee anxiously, I watched her slowly unfurl it and held my breath.
“What is it?” Inquisitive eyes looked up at me.
“Take a closer look.”
I shuffled back on my knees to give her space to lay it out, anxiously wiping my palms on my jeans.
“It’s a map of the ranch.” She looked up at me. “Isn’t it?”
“Look closer.”
Tally leaned in and peered at the map. “What’s that red outline?”
I took a deep breath. “That’s my piece of land on the ranch. Where I’m going to build my home.” I swallowed. “Our home.” When she looked confused I felt like I might puke. “If you want to, that is. I mean you don’t have to. I thought you could live there with me.”
She blinked slowly. “You want me to live with you?”
“Yeah, Brownie I really do. Not just that I?—”
I didn’t have time to finish because Tally launched herself at me, throwing her arms around my neck and pushing my back to the floor. Kisses rained down on my face as she hugged me tight.
“You mean it?” she asked, chewing on her bottom lip. “You really want me to move in with you? Properly. Not just sleepovers here at the cabin?”
Wrapping my arms around her I looked her directly in the eye. “Not just that. I want you to help me to design it, Brownie. Let’s build the house we both want for our forever home. Somewhere we can have more Christmas’ like this, more lazy mornings in our bed, dinner in front of the TV, and,” I took her face in my hands, looking deep into her soul, “maybe one day bring our kids up there. We could grow some pansies in memory of your grandma next to Mom’s roses.” I took her hand. “I want to wake up every morning for the rest of my life knowing you chose me,” I exhaled a shaky breath. “What do you say?”
“You remembered the pansies,” she said, her voice breaking.
“I remember every single thing about you, Brownie. Everything.” I took a steady breath. “So, is that a yes?”
Tears pricked her lashes as she nodded slowly. “It’s a yes,” she whispered. “I would love to. I love you so much.”
“Notas much as I love you, Brownie. Never as much as I love you.” I kissed her softly, relishing in her taste and grateful that I would have this for the rest of my life. “Just one thing,” I said after pulling away, “we have to have a wood burner, is that okay?”
“Because Gunner doesn’t like open fires?”
“No, gorgeous, because some of my favorite moments with you have been in front of this one.” My heart swelled as she dropped her forehead to my chest and breathed me in. “In fact, let’s take this one.”
“Mine, too,” she said, barely above a whisper. “But you know what my absolute favorite times are?”
