“Do you trust me?”
Trinity blinked at Spencer, unsure where her answer might take her. They were in a barn, after all. He very well could place her atop at horse and send her off down the trail. Though, based on the seriousness in his tone and the vulnerable expression in his eyes, she had a feeling it wasn’t all fun and games.
“Of course, I trust you, Spencer.”
“Will you take a walk with me?” He held his hand out, beckoning her own. “Nana Jo said she’s good to continue the lesson with Mia, and Clara offered to take Liam down for story time at the library. I hope I didn’t overstep when I told her that was fine.”
“No, of course. That’s wonderful.” She slipped her hand into his.
Clara had been around more often than not lately, and Liam had developed a soft spot for Spencer’s twin, something Trinity was actually quite surprised by. It seemed as though all of the Major family had worked their charm on Trinity’s little crew, and she was grateful for the extra hands and hearts to help out.
They stepped out of the barn, the autumn sun golden and warm on their faces. Leaves were turning, changing everything into rich, burnished tones that would quickly fade once snow became more frequent and the freezes began. So she savored this last little bit of color before a white winter settled into the Summit, and she appreciated each turn of the seasons because it meant embracing the beauty of change both in nature, but in her own life.
Spencer swung their hands between them, taking his time as they stepped into the pasture that led toward his homestead on the hill.
“The article has been out for a few days, and we’ve already had a chance to talk about it,” he started in, “but I wanted to address something we haven’t discussed yet.”
She turned her head to look up at him, instantly spotting the light sheen of sweat on his strong brow just below the band of his hat.
“I’ve been thinking about how the article portrayed our relationship,” he said. “How it makes it clear that we’re a couple.”
“We are,” she said. She’d come to terms with their relationship being made public before she was completely ready, mostly due to the overwhelming support she’d received regarding it. More than one elderly woman had winked at her in her shop, expressing approval over snagging such a handsome, eligible bachelor as Spencer. A few others mentioned how happy they were that Trinity could find love again after loss. And still others offered congratulations and best wishes, often purchasing a bouquet or two as a show of support and solidarity. It was as though everyone was team Trinity/Spencer, and, though a little overwhelming, she was grateful for the encouragement.
“One thing the article wasn’t super clear on was if I would ultimately be the only one living here at the homestead,” Spencer explained.
Trinity stumbled a little at what his words suggested.
“I’m not asking you to move in with me, Trinity,” he said when she faltered. “Not now, at least. But I do think being with someone means being aware of their hopes and dreams, and this is mine.” His hand stretched out in front of them, sweeping over his new home, the log siding, the big deck, and the tall pitch of the roofline looming tall and proud at the highest point of the acreage. “I’m not looking to date you just to have fun for now. I want to be with you with the prospect of a future together, one that could take place here at the ranch where Mia can ride and Liam can explore. A place where you can have your own patch of land to grow flowers for your shop, and where we can build our lives together, side by side.”
She didn’t know what to say, only because she’d never let herself entertain a hope as rich and full as this one. A second chance at a happy-ever-after always felt indulgent. But when she looked at the man standing next to her, his strong hand holding hers, his dreams aligned with her own, she realized how blessed she was to dare to dream again.
“I know the picture in the article was a surprise, but in a way, I think it helped us visualize what it would be like to be an actual couple in this community,” he said. “And I know my words might be equally surprising, but I’m hoping they might help you imagine what it would look like to create a life together, right here at the ranch. You and me and Mia and Liam.”
“And Bluebell and Doodlebug and a whole bunch of chickens?—”
“Does that mean you’re on board?” He tugged her hand and spun her toward him, drawing her into his arms. “I don’t intendto rush anything with you, Trinity. But I always intend to be honest with my feelings. And this is how I feel.”
“I want everything you’ve just described, Spencer. I want the house and even the horses, but more than that, I want to be a woman worthy of your incredible heart.”
“You already are, Trinity.” He lowered his mouth to hers, soft and sweet. “More than worthy.”
She stayed in his arms until a loud holler from the barn seized their attention. At first, panic gripped her, but the moment she heard the joyous shout ring out again, and then glimpsed her daughter perched on the back of Bluebell with Nana Jo in lead, everything in her switched from apprehension to elation. Because Spencer was doing more than just making Trinity’s dreams come true; he was weaving all of their hopes into a reality—her daughter’s, her son’s, and her own. It was one thing to take on a new relationship, another to embrace an entire family.
But if she’d learned anything about Spencer it was that he had more than enough love to give, and both his heart—and home—were big enough to encompass them all.
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER
“Ifeel so bad that you have to do this.”
Spencer dipped the paint roller into the tray, getting a good, thick coat on the brush. “You have nothing to feel bad about. I’m happy to do it. Seriously.”
Trinity made an unconvinced face. “Spencer, this original paint job is only a few years old. It seems like just yesterday that we were testing swatches and comparing colors over a picnic dinner on a drop cloth-covered subfloor.”
“To be fair, this is a lot more colorful than what we originally picked. Is white even considered a color?” He painted a big swath of pastel pink across the wall while Trinity stayed grounded, holding onto the base of the ladder to keep him steady. It had been an all-day job, but with one more swipe, he would finally complete the first coat.
They hadn’t even been home from their honeymoon a week, but already the kids were begging to paint their rooms and put up new décor. Trinity was close to insisting that they practice an exercise in patience and wait until springtime to make any big changes, but Spencer said this was just as much their house as it was his. He wanted every square inch of it to reflect their presence and personalities.
