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It feels wrong to be yelling it from the rooftops when the whole point of the weekend is to celebrate Theo and Sofie, but in my heart I am on ahigh.
Starting my new life in Landmark, and every day since walking out of Cash’s life…all of it has culminated in a joy I never saw coming. I wake up happy, excited to face the unexpected, and more content than I’ve ever been in my life.
I love living here, and I love the fact that I never have to see or speak to Cash again…unless he changes his mind about seeing Dakota and then I’ll deal with that when the time comes. But for now, I am free of that man and nothing could be better.
“We’re here,” Dakota cheers, interrupting my thoughts.
“Yes, we are.” I park and turn around to look at her. “Are you sure about this?” I don’t know if I’m asking her or myself.
“I’ll miss you,” she says softly, and my heart melts. “Owen says he’ll make sure I don’t get sad.”
“Aw, that’s sweet of him. I know Grinny is really excited about you staying with her too.” Just then I look up and Grinny and Owen are waving from the front door.
We get out of the car, Dakota wheeling the little suitcase that Sofie bought her for this weekend. She’s just as excited about the suitcase as she is about the crown.
“I love you, Mama!” she says, turning to hug me tight before we get to the door.
I’m still saying,“I love you, Kota,”as she turns and runs inside. Grinny picks up her suitcase and sets it inside before stretching her arms out to hug me.
Her eyes are compassionate when she sees that I’m a little wounded by how easy Dakota let me go.
“It’s the newness of it all.” Grinny holds the tops of my arms as she leans back to look at me. “She will be even more excited to see you on Monday, I have no doubt about that.”
“I’m happy she’s excited.” I roll my eyes as I blink up at the sky and fan my face. “I’m ridiculous.”
“You are no such thing. You’re a good mama through and through, and the confidence you’ve instilled in that little girl is priceless. Go and enjoy yourself. Call whenever you want to, and try not to worry. Owen and I will try to keep her too busy to get homesick.”
I hug her again. “Thank you so much. I can’t even tell you how grateful I am that you’re doing this.”
Grinny smiles and gives my arm another squeeze.
“Love you, Kota,” I yell into the house. “I’m leaving. Y’all have fun.”
She comes running back with Owen on her heels and he smiles and waves as Dakota hugs me tight.
By the time I get to the resort, my tears are already drying. The guys are getting on a helicopter and Scarlett and Sofie motion for me to get on the one they’re standing by. Wyatt is standing next to Theo outside their helicopter and he lifts his hand when he sees me. His lips curve into a smile when their engine starts and my sundress flies up with the sudden gust. I yelp and try my best to hold it down.
“I thought for sure I heard you say it was going to be aplane, but this is safe too, right?” My voice is shaky when I reach the girls, and I clutch Scarlett’s arm with a sudden rush of nerves.
“Oh, I might’ve accidentally said that, but this is what we’ve got, and trust me, they’re safe,” she says. “Do you get motion sickness?”
I shake my head and I must look terrified because Sofie puts her arm around me.
“We can be terrified together,” she whispers, making a face.
Theo jogs over and kisses Sofie. “I want to be in your helicopter,” he says.
Scarlett pretends to gag. “Get out of here with your sexual innuendos.” She shoos him away and the rest of us laugh, including Theo. “You’re already getting your way by having her in your hotel room. We get to have her some of the time.” She gives him a little shove and motions for Sofie and me to get in our helicopter. “We’ll see you soon enough,” she yells over the sound of the engine turning on.
Once we’re inside, we get headsets and Holly hands us champagne. I take it reluctantly but lift it in acheersas we clink the glasses. One sip and I set it down so I don’t prove myself wrong about the motion sickness. For the next two hours, we chatter happily about the weekend and the wedding, and I see the most incredible view.
From up here, every problem seems tiny, every hope infinitely possible, and I can’t wipe the smile from my face.
Life is good.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
UNDERCURRENT
