“You remembered.” Tears well in my eyes as I drop my forehead to his.
This is why I’ve always loved this man. An offhand comment about what I wanted in life in high school and he still remembered.
“How could I ever forget? We always talked about reading to our kids on the swing. Then I’d put them to sleep while you got to rest and then I’d come back and rub your feet.”
“It’s perfect, Kade. I can’t believe you’re going to do this for us.”
“I would give you anything you ask for.”
“I want the moon.”
He laughs. “Within reason. But I’ll paint you a moon wherever you want it in here.”
“I love you, Bubs.”
“We might have to change that Bubs to hubs soon.”
I kiss him. One that is so full of love, it’s threatening to burst out of me. “One thing at a time, okay? Let’s get settled here with Poppy and then we’ll cross that bridge.”
“You want to get married, right?” he asks.
“Yes. But why don’t we let the ink dry on my divorce papers first.”
“Okay,” he sighs. “But make no mistake, I will be popping the question to you.”
“You better. Because I want to marry you and fill this house with kids.”
“That sounds like a great plan.”
One that I can’t wait to put into action. Because I’m finally getting the life I always wanted with Kade. A house, a couple of kids, and him.
What more could a girl ever need?
Chapter Thirty-Six
PRESLEY
“Where are we going?” Poppy’s head is on a swivel in the backseat. “We’ve never ridden here before.”
“It’s a surprise,” Kade tells her.
His hand squeezes my knee. I know he’s anxious today. Not only are we going to show Poppy the house we’ll be moving into, but we’ll be telling her the news that Kade is her father.
She loves Kade. She’s always asking to go see him. To go play and ride at the ranch. I think it will go well, but you never know.
“I like surprises.”
“Well, we’re here,” Kade says.
The house seems brighter today. Maybe it’s because I know what it now holds for all of us or the hope that it’s the first day that we’ll all be a family.
“It’s a house,” Poppy states matter-of-factly as I help her out of the truck before her eyes spot a tire swing hanging from the large oak tree out front. “Can I go swing?”
“In a minute,” I say. “Come see the house first.”
Taking her hand, Kade and I lead her inside. The kitchenis well underway—the cabinets are painted and new appliances are waiting to be installed. Piles of wood are stacked in the corner that will make up the new floors. He doesn’t waste any time. It’s one of the reasons I love him.
That and the fact that he’s staying. I never thought I’d get this in my life, but we’re here. And it couldn’t be better.
