In the middle of the pasture.
In front of the Magnolia Ladies.
In front of half of Eagle River.
And somehow, it had been the best decision I had ever made.
Since then, Beast had moved into the little guesthouse beside Dad’s barn.
Sometimes I would walk out there at night so I could be with him. Sometimes he would sneak inside so he could be with me.
At least, Dad called it his guest house.
Everyone else called it Beast’s house.
Dad called it the place where the giant Ranger kept leaving muddy boots on the porch.
The Magnolia Ladies called it the beginning.
They had been calling it that for two months.
They were not subtle.
Mrs. Jenkins had already asked me three times what kind of wedding dress I wanted.
Doris had offered to make the cake.
Betty had somehow collected pictures of flowers without anyone asking her to.
I tried not to think too hard about it.
Mostly because every time I did, Beast got that quiet look in his eyes.
The one that made my heart beat a little faster.
He finished with the fence.
Set the hammer down.
Then turned toward me.
“You remember the first time you kissed me here?”
I smiled.
“You mean when you froze as if I had shot you?”
“I did not freeze.”
“You absolutely froze.”
“I was surprised.”
“Terrified.”
He stepped closer.
“I wasn’t terrified.”
