“That’s a bad habit she let you get away with,” I tease him. “Do you think she’ll like it?” I ask a little more seriously. He harrumphs at me in response. “I get there’s only one way to find out. How they got it done before she gets here tomorrow, I have no idea.” The dog rolls over on his back with his feet braced on the back of the couch.
“These are pretty comfy,” I admit, sliding down on the other couch. “Where do you think she is?” I punch in one of the few numbers in my speed dial.
“Hey, sexy. What’s up?” Somehow, just hearing her voice makes my anxiety lessen. I can’t wait until she fills the house with banter.
“Sitting here thinking about you.”
“You always know just what to say. I think you’re flirting skills have hit master level.”
“I have the best test subject.”
She laughs, and my heart does a flip. No one told me that being in love meant you stayed on this roller coaster of emotions all the time. Sometimes, I swear just the sound of her voice makes my skin tingle. And when we’re apart, my heart feels likeit’s going to rip from my chest. I love the way she makes me feel inside regardless of what’s happening in our lives.
“Where are you?” I ask.
“I’m about to check into a hotel in Texarkana. Don’t worry, it’s got all the bells and whistles including security.” She’s already aware of how much I worry about her. I offered to fly up and drive her here, but she insisted she come alone. I think she wants time to decompress from the road. I can respect that. “I think I’m ordering room service, taking a long bath, and falling into bed.”
“Send me where you are so I don’t have to stress about it all night. Do you want me to order you something in?” Travis introduced me to the joys of restaurant delivery apps last time I was in Austin. They don’t do me much good here, but I’m willing to test it out for Harmony.
“No, room service will work. I’ve been snacking all the way here anyway, so I’m not very hungry. You know how road trips work.”
“I do. Okay, text me when you get in your room.”
“Yes, daddy.”
“Tomorrow night, you can call me that.” She giggles. “Get some rest. I can’t wait until you get here.”
“I love you, Beau Rayburn.”
“I love you, Harmony Ellis. Sleep well.” We say good night and end the call. Tomorrow. How am I going to survive until I have her in my arms tomorrow?
“How do you feel about a rousing game of Jenga?” Reacher just grunts in response. “You’re not a very social dog, you know that?”
With a sigh, I heave myself off the couch. I take a second to look around one last time, then whistling for the dog, head to the house. Tomorrow seems like forever.
I slept in fits last night tossing and turning until well after midnight. With any luck, caffeine will help. At least with the headache that’s sitting right behind my eyes. It would help more if Reacher wasn’t standing a foot away from where I’m leaning against the counter. He must know something is up because he’s barking at me.
“How about you go outside for a while?” How about we both go outside for a while. Taking the mug of black coffee, I lead the way to the front porch.
Reed decided I needed legitimate porch furniture. I try out the new all-weather loveseat with striped cushions. He might have been on to something. It’s not bad.
“Go,” I growl at the dog when he continues to stand on the porch. He’s looking down the road waiting. He knows what today is. “Go. Find something to terrify in the wild,” I try again.
Finally, with a backward glance, he prances down the steps. He sniffs along the road for a few minutes before heading for the barn.
I understand how he feels. We’re both ready to have Harmony back in our lives again. I’ve tried to explain to him that she plans to leave Texarkana at eight hoping to avoid rush hour in Dallas. Good luck with that, it’s always rush hour in Dallas. With that in mind, I suspect it will be around two or three before we see her.
That didn’t prevent me from getting up at the ass crack of dawn to pace the floor waiting for her. I check my watch for the twentieth time. It’s still too early to text or call.
She sounded exhausted last night, so it’s best I wait for her to contact me. Still, I can’t help but worry. I should have insisted on driving her. There’s a lot to learn about this boyfriend designation.
“How about we saddle up one of the horses and check water troughs?” I ask Reacher when he returns to flop at my feet.“It’ll be better than waiting around here slowly going out of my mind.” I return to the kitchen to wash out my mug with Reacher on my heels. My phone pings while I’m setting the mug in the drainer to dry.
Harmony: Decided to get an earlier start. I’m too ready to see you to waste any more time here.
Me: I agree. Reacher is all up in arms waiting for you.
Harmony: What about his owner?
