She turned slowly in a circle, trying to take it all in. “Tanner… this doesn’t seem possible.”
He stayed quiet behind her, letting her look. She could feel his eyes on her, watching her reaction.
Junie wandered toward the kitchen first, drawn to it like it was calling her name. The counters were wide and smooth, the appliances looked professional, and there was more than enough room to work. She ran her fingers along the edge of the island, almost afraid to touch anything.
Tanner’s voice came low from behind her. “That’s one of the things I’ve been doing the last year and a half. I gutted it, reinforced the structure, and then built it the way I wanted it to be.”
She turned to him, heart thudding.
“I renovated it with you in mind,” he said simply.
Junie’s throat tightened. She looked back at the kitchen, then at the big dining table that could easily fit the whole Daniels family, then at the cozy seating area facing the mountains. Everything was thoughtful. Intentional. For her.
She didn’t know what to say.
He took her hand and showed her the rest. The master bedroom was beautiful, with a stone fireplace and a door that led to a stunning bathroom. Across the great room, there was another bedroom, smaller but still lovely, with a guest bath and laundry room nearby. When he casually mentioned it could work as a nursery someday, her cheeks went hot, and her stomach flipped.
Out back, a wide deck stretched across the length of the cabin. A fireplace sat on one end, and a huge built-in stone grill with a spit took up the other. Comfortable chairs and tables were arranged for outdoor seating and dining.
Junie stood there for a long moment, trying to absorb it all. He had done this. For her. Forthem. And he’d never said a single word about it, even though they’d seen each other almost every day for the past two years but hadn’t gotten serious until relatively recently. For at least a year, she’d only thought of them as friends with possibilities,and he’d been building a dream cabin for her. And she’d missed it.
You really did let your fears blind you.
She was still trying to figure out what to say while he carried their bags inside and started unpacking. She helped, moving slowly, still a little stunned by the wonder of it all. Once everything was put away, Tanner came up behind her and rested his hands on her hips.
“Come on,” he said quietly. “I want to show you something outside while there’s still light.”
They stepped out into the cool mountain air. Tall spruce, fir, and pine trees lined the back and sides of the cabin. It was beautiful. Peaceful. Junie breathed it in, letting the quiet settle around her.
Something on one of the trees near the edge of the clearing caught her eye. She took a few steps closer, squinting.
“What’s that?” she asked.
Tanner’s voice was careful. “Only way to know is to go look, baby.”
That only made her more curious. She walked over to the tree, and when she got close enough, her breath stopped.
There, carved into the bark, was a heart. Inside it were two names.
Tanner + Junie
She traced the outline of the heart with her fingertip as her chest tightened so fast it almost hurt. These names hadn’t just been carved either. Darker spots spoke of exposure to the weather for who knew how long. It meant that Tanner had carved their names into this tree way before the two had finally become a couple. As if he’d known all along that they were meant to be. All the little moments over the years, all the quiet ways he’d shown her he was waiting. All the things he’d built without ever saying a word. It all crashed over her at once.
She turned around and threw herself into his arms.
Tanner caught her easily, one arm banding around her waist asher feet left the ground. Her hands came up to his face, and she kissed him like she was starving for it.
The second their mouths met, heat exploded low in her belly. She pressed closer, needing to feel every inch of him. His lips were warm and firm, and when he deepened the kiss with a low sound in his chest, she opened for him without hesitation. His tongue slid against hers, slow and deliberate, and a soft, helpless sound escaped her throat.
She loved the strength in his arms as his hands splayed wide across her lower back, holding her against him. Her fingers slid into his hair, gripping tight as she kissed him harder, pouring all the shock, the overwhelming love, and the years of wanting him without ever saying it out loud.
Tanner kissed her back in full possession of her heart, like he’d been waiting just as long. One of his hands came up to cradle the back of her head, tilting her just how he wanted her, and the possessive way he held her made her knees go weak. When he finally pulled away, it was just far enough to rest his forehead against hers.
Junie kept her eyes closed, her fingers still tangled in his hair, heart hammering against her ribs. She loved this man so much it scared her. Hand in hand, they turned back to the cabin.
Junie froze, then jumped behind Tanner, pointing toward the front porch.
“There’s… there’s a wolf at the cabin.”
