I still think this is all kind of wild. We fell in love in a week, but maybe love is a wild thing worth chasing. Maybe it is possible to fall in love so quickly, especially when that someone is Colby Smith. The hard thing, the real test, will be if we can make it work as just Colby and Eli. Not as pretend husbands.
Finally, we turn onto a paved road in the middle of nowhere. A gate opens and I follow Colby’s classic Mustang through it. Oak trees line the driveway, for what feels like forever, until a large, white farmhouse comes into view. The sight of it takes my breath away. Trees surround the house, and there’s even a front porch with rockers on it.
Late afternoon sunlight shines behind the house and I am in love. In love with the man who brought me here, the man whobuilt this house, and with the idea of the future we could have if I give it a chance.
Colby hops out of the car with a smile, making my heart do somersaults in my chest. His stupid smiles are going to make me develop a heart condition.
He opens my car door for me, helping me out with a hand on my forearm.
“This is my home,” Colby says with pride.
“Did you design it?”
Colby nods as he looks at the house. Pride radiates off of him too. “I designed it after Marcus died. I couldn’t live in the home we shared together anymore. It hurt too much. So, I sold that house, and finally built my dream home.” He uses his arm to gesture around the property. “This is my family’s land, and I was given these ten acres when I turned eighteen. I always knew I’d do something with it, I just didn’t know when.”
The front door opens and a dog comes racing out at us.
“Who’s this?” I ask, dipping down to give them pats.
“Whiskey, she’s my best girl.”
“Whiskey,” I murmur, laughing when she licks my face. Her hair is long, and almost auburn. “What kind of dog is she?”
“Irish setter. She was a gift from Marcus, towards the end.”
Colby’s voice isn’t sad, just informative. We have so much to talk about and Marcus is one of them. I wish we had talked about him more at the beach house, but I never had the courage. Never really felt right. But if I’m going to start a life with Colby, then I need to know about the man who safely kept his heart before me.
A man comes out of the farmhouse, hands tucked into his pockets. He's a giant of a man, even taller than Colby, but he’s got dark hair where Colby’s is light. The man waves at us from the front porch.
“That’s my cousin Beau. He’s been dog-sitting for me.”
Colby takes my hand and pulls me towards the front of the house. Whiskey runs around the yard a few times, doing her business like a real lady. She comes back to bounce excitedly at Colby’s feet. I totally get it. He laughs at her, giving her loving pats on the head.
“She missed ya,” Beau says as he watches Whiskey jump around. He’s got a southern accent just like Colby, but his voice is a little deeper, and his southern accent is just a little thicker.
“She was good?” Colby asks, squeezing my hand.
Beau nods. “Course. I kept her at my house, but brought her back here today when you said you were heading home.” Beau sends an unsure look at me, then aims his gaze back at Colby. “All good?”
Colby lets go of my hand and hugs Beau, who stays stiff the entire time, but sweetly pats Colby on the back. When they pull apart, Colby looks back at me with a teasing smile on his lips.
“This is Elijah. He was my fake husband, but I think maybe one day he’ll be the real thing. If he’ll consider it.”
I can feel the flush spread over my cheeks, and warmth diffuses through my entire body. Half embarrassment, half in pleasure. This man is going to be the absolute death of me.
Beau whistles, tipping back on his heels. Must be a family thing.
“Nice to meet you, Elijah.” Beau puts his hand out, and I shake it firmly. His hand eclipses mine. I’m not even a small guy, these guys are just superhuman big. But they’re kind and sweet too.
“You can call me Eli,” I tell him with a gentle smile.
“Alright, Eli.” Beau nods, then looks out at the sun behind the trees. “I better get back to my place. It might be the middle of the week, but we’re ramping up for the weekend at the farm. You gonna bring him by?”
Colby lets out some sort of noise that Beau takes for agreement. Beau trots down the stairs with a dip of his head in my direction. He just walks down the paved driveway, then hops over the gate, and goes across the street. Weird.
“Where is he going …” I trail off and look over at Colby.
“He lives across the street.”
