“Mhm?” Joel responded, his tone warm and drowsy.
“Did you ever dream about this? Lying here, I mean, with someone at your side?”
Joel turned his head to face her, their noses almost touching. “Can’t say I did,” he confessed. “But now, I can’t imagine anything better.”
Erna’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes reflecting the contentment that swelled within her. “I used to dream about traveling to far-off places. Paris, London...”
“Is that so?” Joel’s thumb grazed her hand gently, tracing the lines of her palm. “And now?”
“Now,” she paused, her gaze locked onto his, “I dream about planting a cherry orchard out back. Watching the trees grow year after year.”
“An cherry orchard, huh?” He chuckled softly. “That sounds good. And I think black cherry trees grow well in this are!”
“And you, Joel? What do you see in our future?” Her question was light, tinged with curiosity.
“Us,” he said simply. “Just us, building a life together. Maybe a couple of little ones running around the ranch.”
“Little ones?” Erna echoed, her heart skipping a beat.
“Sure,” he replied, his voice steady and sure. “If you’d like that.”
“I would,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Very much.”
“Goodnight, Erna,” Joel murmured, his breath tickling her ear.
“Goodnight, Joel,” she replied, nestling closer to him.
