“Those are awesome. I’d never have thought of Hen Erso. Gotta meet your woman, Babs.”
Seth had felt Mara approach the coop, so when she rested her hand on his back, he didn’t flinch. Instead, he turned to kiss her lightly, keeping the camera turned away. “You ready to meet the team, Mara?”
She nodded, eyes warm and misty in the deepening evening. “I’d love to meet your friends.”
Knowing his buddies had heard every word, he turned the camera again, so they were both on screen.
“Hi, everyone.”
After introductions, he and Mara entered Chick Inn Time, and Mara picked up each of the hens, introducing her to her namesake.
Clay looked off-screen. “Got a call, so I need to go. I’m glad you called, Seth. We need to do this regularly. Nice to meet you Mara. Thanks for taking care of Babs.”
She laughed. “You’ve got that backwards. Nice to meet you, too.”
Johnny grinned. “Clay had it right. We’ll all take off now, but let’s make this a regular thing. Thanks for naming the chickens after us, Mara. And for helping Babs deal with his shit.”
There was more of the same until they all logged off, promising to do another call in a couple of weeks.
He wrapped himself around Mara as the sun started its final descent behind the trees. Peace filled the area and his soul.
Making the call with his team had been the step he’d needed, the step he’d been putting off. Mara’s call to her family earlier had triggered this one, and he felt like he’d finally healed from the past.
Seth kissed her hair. “They were right, you know. You’ve saved me.”
She laughed and reached up to kiss him softly. “Don’t know if that’s true, but I know you did the same for me. We make a good team, Seth.”
He nodded, wanting to take the next step, but didn’t think the coop was the best place for a proposal.
Soon. Very soon.
Chapter 27
Something Good
Mara opened the pantry door to check on supplies. The weekend guests had devoured almost everything in sight. A family reunion of eight couples who loved every moment on the farm.
One couple, Evan and Will, had visited Chick Inn Time when she and Seth had been collecting eggs. The two men met while serving overseas with the Air Force and married after they retired from military service. After reading the page about the hens, they’d wanted to know more about Maki and the others.
It was exactly what she’d hoped. People would be grateful to those who were brave enough to protect their country.
But it had been an emotional meeting. She’d done most of the talking, telling them about Maki’s sense of humor and dedication to the job.
When the men learned Babs was named after Seth, they’d shaken his hand, offered condolences on his loss, and taken photos with Maki and the others.
It had been emotional for her, more so for Seth. She wanted to make him one of his favorite treats, the mini raspberry-apple cheesecakes, but they were out of raspberries. Maybe she’d make a batch of apple chips instead. He loved those too.
Or maybe she’d grab the caramel sauce and drag him into the bedroom. That would definitely ensure he felt good.
The door to the mudroom swung open, and she smiled as Seth walked into the kitchen. “I was just thinking about you. I’m going to make you some apple chips, unless you’d like something else.”
His eyes roved over her and lit up with fire. “I’d like that something else, but later. Tonight, I’d like to take you on a date.”
“A date?”
He nodded and took her hands while he leaned in for a kiss that held all kinds of promises. When he pulled back, she expected them to move to the bedroom, but his eyes twinkled. “What do you say? Can I take you on a date?”
She’d do anything for this man she loved with every cell in her being. “I’d love to go on a date with you.”
