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“I like it,” he chuckled. “Shuck the clothes and leave on the ornaments? Sure thing, love. I really like your sense of style and adventure…”
“Maaaax…”she laughed, drawing out his name.
“Shhh,” he whispered, kissing her again tenderly. “Less talking, more celebrating, wife.”
“As you wish.”
14
COLLINS
Four months later…
Max smiled sublimely at the feeling of Daphne’s fingers in his hair as she worked trimming it. The sun was bright, the temperatures were warming up nicely in the afternoons, and they were preparing to head out soon to start their travels together.
The last few months had been bliss, and he never imagined that being here would give him a second chance at a life he’d always yearned for. Every morning, he woke up at sunrise out of habit, but instead of flying out of bed to go do physical training or hitting the showers, he would lie there, holding Daphne, and slowly wake her by showering her with kisses.
Everyone had a job to do on the farm, and leaving had been a concern. They wanted to give back, to share, and to be a part of their world that had been so good to them without sacrificing their own wishes, too.
Max volunteered to do all the hunting due to his leg and had become quite adept at it. He also started cleaning and prepping the meat instead of Jill or Houghton having to do it. In three months, he’d filled the freezers at the main house, and Houghton was processing some of it into summer sausage links so it would stay a little longer.
Daphne had been given the task of helping clear the roads with the plow on the front of Houghton’s truck – and opted to run the tractor in the field, too. In fact, tomorrow would be spent putting out seeds as fast as possible to help out. Lena was still in charge of the chickens, feeding, tending to them, and gathering eggs and still naming them, unfortunately.
Jake ordered a chainsaw off Amazon instead of hacking away at the felled trees with an ax, giving him more time to heal from his own injuries months ago. Gideon was finally out of his cast – and surprisingly helped Christina with the livestock.
Everyone had a place and a job, and both he and Daphne felt like they were outgrowing it slightly. It was time to stretch their ‘wings’… but there was also a comfort in knowing they would be welcomed back, too.
“There,” Daphne said softly, interrupting his thoughts. “You look so good, and I think I like your hair a little longer than when we first met.”
“No more ‘high-and-tight’?” he chuckled, smiling up at her.
“Nahhh,” she smiled affectionately, winking at him. “I like running my fingers through your hair.”
“I like it too.”
Both sat there for a second before she spoke, looking a little unsure.
“Is it weird to feel guilty about leaving?”
“No,” he admitted openly. “I’ve felt the same way, but we’ll be back. I told Houghton that if someone needed the cabin, to let them have it without hesitation but that depending on our travels, we might be back this fall.”
“You did?” she smiled, and he sagged in relief to see that she didn’t mind.
“I’m not a fan of the snow, but it’s kinda nice to have a place to return where you are welcomed by friends and family. A home base, if you will.”
“I like that – and I agree. We could travel, see the world, and then always come back to recharge our minds and souls; plus it would give us a chance to help out.”
“Less mouths to feed in the summer for them – plus we can stock up the freezers in the fall or spring… and then head out again.”
“Just for a bit.”
“Yup, and we can see how this works for all of us,” he agreed easily… and then laughed. “Looks like I’m about to lose my chair, Beauty Queen.”
“Huh?”
Both looked to the side to see Gideon, Houghton, and Jake headed their way, each carrying a towel and smiling. Max looked at his beloved wife and saw the emotion on her face as she gazed upon them – and got choked up himself. Neither had much of a family, but this group of people was a part of theirs.
Not by blood, but by choice.
