“Sounds perfect,” I say. “Like you.”
He shakes his head. “Nope, like you, Bails. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter is for us.”
“Me too.”
He wraps an arm around me as we start to walk away. “It’s all part of the adventure, baby.”
“Every day is an adventure with you,” I say, and we both laugh at the irony. But at least we’re original.
Brett
“I’m starting to think Dancer loves me just as much as you, if not more,” I say as we stop our horse ride at the ridge at the back of Bailey’s property. I pat Dancer’s soft brown mane for good measure as I dismount. It’s coming more naturally now to be back in the saddle.
My girl was totally right. Now it’s like I’ve never been away from it. Old habits die hard… But when I think of Clyde now,it’s not crippling, it’s bittersweet, and I remember all the good things we shared.
I’m going to have some photos I took of him blown up big to put up at my place back in Nashville, and here too, if Bailey doesn’t mind. We’re going to frame photos of Spirit, Dancer and Rebel, too.
“Ha! I’d like to see evidence of that,” she scoffs, as she dismounts Spirit. Rebel came too, Bailey guided her alongside as we trotted most of the way. Now we’re about to enjoy the mountain backdrop and the cool of dusk setting in. We start by tying the horses to the post and both cast our eyes to the view beyond the trees that opens up before us.
“Evidence is right here,” I say, just as Dancer pushes her nose into my arm. “See.”
Bailey shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “She knows you have a carrot in your pocket. Probably some apple, too.”
I laugh. “Nope. Don’t need bribery, baby.”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
“Always happy to oblige.” I bend in and pull her into my arms. It’s been a day for sure. But I’m feeling more relaxed than I have in the last two years straight.
I’m glad to put it all behind me now and start living the way I want to.
I’m inspired and have so many new song ideas. Getting back to writing and recording isn’t making me feel stressed like it was before. It’s coming from a different place now. I can never thank Bailey or the people of Alpine Falls enough for taking me in and treating me as one of their own.
Bailey opted out of the photo, which is totally cool and just her style. I know she’s still getting used to the fame thing and I want to protect that. My folks and Brianna were happy to oblige and I’m sure highlights of the conference will be in the localgazette by sunrise, and who knows where else. I’m not phased by it. I will not live my life by what people are saying anymore.
I want to live a humble life, making music and having my girl by my side. There can’t be anything better than that. Okay, I may be thinking about a couple of little rug rats running around at some stage way down the track, but hey, it’s early days.
“Is that a camera in your pocket or are you happy to see me?” Bailey chides with a laugh as she looks down between us. It actually is a camera in the form of her beloved Canon with quite an impressive lens. I had it strapped across me, ready for us to get some photos of the horses, the mountains, and heck, maybe even some of us.
I throw my head back and laugh. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.”
“Such a romantic.”
“And Iamhappy to see you.” I push the camera out of the way and press my body against hers so she can feel what she does to me.
“Holy shit,” she breathes, her cheeks instantly flushing as I pull her in and wrap my arms around her.
“It’s what you do to me.”
“I love that,” she whispers into my shirt, gripping it at the base as her arms stretch around me. “You have my heart, Brett Turner. The more you show me, the more I want. And the more I fall in love with you.”
“Baby, we haven’t even scratched the surface yet.”
“I’m happy to do the scratching.”
I laugh. “Let’s call it a joint effort. Because the more you show me your heart, the more I want of you, too. I fall more in love with you every day.”
“And we have so much more to learn.”
