The one thing we can both count on though is each other. And Linc has also been an anchor of comfort for us. He hasn’t left our side in the last two months, but once again, our life is about to be flipped upside down. Linc leaves to go on tour in three days. He had them push the dates back as far as he could with everything that’s been going on but they can’t put it off any longer. The selfish part of me doesn’t want him to leave. I need him here. I need his strength and his love. His guidance. Aside from Caroline, it’s the one thing I can depend on.
The one thing I trust and believe in the most.
Us.
But this is his career. And no matter how much I hate him leaving, I have to support him.
We’re on our way to check on the progress of the house today. It’s nearly finished. We’ll be moving in while he’s away and the thought saddens me he won’t be here to share it with us. I remind myself that there are worse things in life, like not having him at all.
His hand clasps mine, pulling it to his warm lips. “What’s on your mind, babe?”
I shrug, not really wanting to share my depressing thoughts. I don’t want to be sad. I don’t want to dwell on the negative.
“I’m gonna miss you,” I say.
“I’m gonna miss you, too.” He places a kiss on my knuckles before settling our clasped hands on his thigh. “Both of you.” He steers the truck up the inclined road, up to our mountain in the sky. I’ve grown to love this place. The way the late sun kisses the peaks and ridges with its glorious golden rays. The vast land and trees and the peace they offer.
“Have you thought about what we talked about?” he whispers, and looks over my shoulder to see if Caroline is listening. She’s engrossed in her book, not paying the least bit attention to us.
“I still think it’s too soon.”
He’s quiet for a moment, and I almost think he’s pissed but then the house comes into view and a big smile smothers his handsome face. I drag my eyes away from that satisfied grin and gasp at the sight before me.
Our home.
The front is covered in windows, no doubt offering a generous amount of natural light inside. The three-story cabin is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before with its wraparound deck hugging the entire second floor and stone chimney, promising comfort and peace. The house is perched up on a massive hill, the mountain offering the perfect backdrop. It looks like something you’d see in a painting.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Wait until you see inside,” he says, pulling to park in front of the four-car garage around the side. Caroline pokes her head between our seats, her mouth agape in awe of it all.
“Wow,” she whispers.
Linc lands a kiss on her temple. “Welcome home, sweet girl.”
We make our way around front. Linc looks like he did on his eleventh birthday when he got his first ten-speed. “There’s a little bit more touch-up painting that needs to be done but other than that, they’re finished with construction,” he says, opening the door.
“I thought it wouldn’t be finished for another month.”
“Surprise,” he whispers close to my ear as we walk inside.
“Oh my God.”
I’m speechless. Probably because there’s not enough air in my lungs to speak. The vaulted ceilings are breathtaking with vast wooden beams stretching across the top. Just as I had suspected, the natural light filtering in through the windows is stunning but not overwhelming. I can see now that the glass has been tinted so the light filtering in isn’t harsh, but soft, offering a warm, cozy feel.
Linc steps out in front of me and grips my hand while Caroline darts off upstairs. “I’m going to find my room,” she shouts, her feet eating up the stairs with excitement.
“C’mon. I wanna show you the rest.”
“I can’t believe they got it done so fast.”
“I know people,” he says with a wink, pulling me toward the kitchen, which is even more impressive than the living room.
“Oh, wow. This is amazing.”
The floors are all wood and polished to perfection. There are cabinets galore and the appliances are all state of the art. The countertops are an exquisite dark granite and there’s an island in the center equipped with a wrought iron pot rack hanging low from the ceiling.
Linc wraps his arms around my waist, kissing my neck. “I see you barefoot and pregnant, cooking up a storm right over there.” He points to the six-range stove.
