But the second I open the door, that’s not what I see.
I stop in the doorway, taking it all in.
Megan’s in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove. It smells like meat and gravy—rich, comforting—but that’s not what catches my eye.
It’s the pink.
The kitchen towels. The placemats. A lamp on the counter sitting on a cutting board beside a marble bowl that looks too fancy to eat out of. The couch has light-pink pillows. There’s a floral blanket draped over the armrest, flowers on every flat surface, and—Lord, help me—bows tied to my deer heads on the wall.
I blink hard, just trying to take it all in. I knew she was moving in today, but I didn’t realize that meant redecorating the entire cabin.
“Oh,” I manage, laying my jacket over one of the backs of the barstools.
Her smile is bright and proud, and she comes over to peck my lips. “Hi! How was work?”
“Good,” I say slowly, eyes still scanning the room. “Looks like you got a lot done.” I add.
“I did.” She laughs, buzzing. “I’ve been on a mission today. Got everything put away, deep cleaned the fridge and the freezer, scrubbed the bathroom, dusted, did the windows. Then I—”
My eye catches the open energy drink on the counter. I grab it midsentence. “You drink that, Meg?”
She looks at it, then back at me. “Yeah. That’s my second one. They’re really good! Anyway, I also cleaned the—”
“You had two?” I interrupt, holding it up. It’s barely half full. “It’s an energy drink.”
She blinks, like she genuinely doesn’t understand what the problem is. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I laugh, shaking my head. “That explains the redecorating spree. You’re basically high on caffeine right now.”
“I’m productive,” she argues, grabbing the spoon from the pan and waving it at me.
I set the can back down, laughing.
“What do you think though? Isn’t it so cute?”
I rub the back of my neck and nod. “It’s cute alright.”
Her smile fades into a frown and that breaks me. “You don’t like it?” she asks.
“No, I never said that. It’s just different is all.” I walk in further, seeing even more now. There’s a candle lit on the coffee table, more throw blankets in a basket in the corner with a dang tree behind it that used to house a bear mount.
“Where is the bear?” I glance back at her, worry sinking in. That thing’s heavy. She’d have needed help to move it, no doubt.
“Oh, your dad moved it into the office for me.” She points toward the hall.
My dad? My dad helped her move it? You know what, he would.
I pace in there and see for myself. There it is, in the corner, beside my gun safe.
I walk back out, my body tense. I knew she had stuff, but I didn’t think her stuff would swallow mine.
“This is ready,” she says before I can speak, setting a pot in the middle of the table. I decide to let it go for now and we sit down, hands naturally finding each other’s, and I pray.
“Dear Lord, thank You for this day, this food, and Megan. We pray that You bless us this weekend as we get married, and that everything runs smoothly. In Your Name we pray. Amen.”
“Amen.” She smiles and reaches for the ladle.
“How was your day?” she asks, serving me first.
