“She missed you too,” Levi murmurs.
After starting the engine, he reverses into the road, and my eyes land on the Adamses’ house. I see Mrs. Adams peeking through the drapes, and it gives me the creeps.
“I’m going to cancel the lease for the rental,” I tell Levi. “I can’t live across from Colby’s family anymore.”
“You can stay with me at the motel.” He glances at me. “What do you think?”
“Or ...” My tongue darts out to wet my lips. “We can go to my family home and stay there until the farmhouse is ready.”
Levi’s eyes widen. “Are you ready to take that step?”
Lick lies partially on my lap, and I begin to brush my hand over her soft fur. It gives me a moment to think about temporarily moving into my parents’ house.
“I won’t know until I try,” I answer honestly.
Levi reaches across Lick and gives my hand a squeeze before he pays attention to the road again.
“I hope to have the living room on the farm ready by the end of December.” A frown line appears between his eyes. “Unless we’re still going to Jordan’s for the holidays?”
“I forgot about that.” Then my eyes widen. “Oh my God. Christmas is in five days.”
“We can still drive through and spend a day or two there,” Levi suggests.
“I’ll give Jordan a call tomorrow and hear what he thinks,” I reply.
Levi
After I park the truck in my spot right in front of my room, I switch off the engine.
“Wait in the cab. I’ll unlock the door, then you and Lick can come. I don’t want you standing in the snow.”
Kelcie releases her seat belt while I get out of the truck. I’m hit with a blast of cold and quickly unlock the door to the motel room.
“Come, Lick,” I hear her say.
I glance at Kelcie, and when she jumps over a puddle of slush, she loses her footing. I dart forward, and as she begins to fall backward, I grab hold of her arm and yank her against my body. My other arm locks around her waist, and as her hands grip my shoulders, I lift her off her feet and carry her into the room before setting her down again.
“That was a close call,” she chuckles.
I quickly go back out to get her luggage, and when I shut the door behind me and look at her, the smile on her face is blindingly beautiful.
Kelcie is here with me.
We’re still together.
I get to feel her love and touch for the rest of my life.
The realization keeps hitting me upside the head every few minutes.
I want to kiss her until I forget my own name, but I’m in desperate need of a shower.
“I’ll be quick,” I say as I walk to the bathroom. I gesture at the bed and TV. “Make yourself comfortable.”
Before I shut the door behind me, I see Kelcie taking off her coat and sitting down on the foot of the bed.
I switch on the faucets in the shower, and while the water warms, I brush my teeth. Stripping out of my clothes, I fold every item neatly and place it in the laundry bag.
As I step beneath the spray, I think of Kelcie sitting on the bed, and a smile spreads over my face.
