Austin
Five years later
“Happy anniversary,” I say, pressing a kiss to my wife’s forehead as I place a coffee in front of her. It’s been exactly five years of waking up next to her, four and a half years of her being my wife, and four years of her being the mother of my children. We have two kids, a boy and a girl—twins—who are the light of our families’ lives. Being with Harper has brought me no end of joy.
“Five years later and you’re still having coffee with me every morning.” She leans back and hooks her arm around my neck, pulling me in for an upside-down kiss.
“How could I not? It’s my favorite part of the day.” I take a seat beside her, sliding my arm around the back of her chair. “Kids still asleep?” Everyone was fast asleep when I woke to organize the cattle feeding this morning. Back before Harper and I got married, I’d pack a sandwich and eat breakfast in the paddock with Atticus. But now I like to sneak back home to spend a little quality time with my favorite humans before I have to tend to the thousand other things this ranch needs to keep it running. It’s a good honest life, and I love that my beautiful wife shares it with me.
“Yeah. Bobby had a bit of a rough night last night—silly nightmares from watching too much TV—so I imagine he’ll be needing a few extra z’s. And you know Mira, she’ll sleep all day if Bobby doesn’t wake first.”
I move my fingers absentmindedly through her hair, enjoying the fact that she wears it out when we’re at home because she knows how much I love seeing her like this, open and authentic. “Might give you the chance to work on that bike of yours in peace. Did Derek find those parts for you?”
“He did. But I have to go to Oakwood falls to pick them up. Since you’re not working tomorrow, we could take the kids and make a day of it. Wyatt says that brother-in-law of his is doing a kids concert in the music hall they just opened up. So it should be fun.”
“Isn’t he that rock star guy? The lead singer fromCrash, Rewind?”
“He is. But he has kids around the twin’s age, and they’re crazy about The Wiggles. So I guess he’s doing what any dad would do.”
I grin, thinking about the ton of foolish things I’ve done to entertain our kids. It’s stuff you’d never do around another adult, but when there are kids involved, there’s a freedom in feeling safe to let a bit of your silly out. “Then I think we’ll all have a great time.”
“And afterward, I thought the kids might enjoy a sleepover with Nana and Grandad. That way, Mommy and Daddy can get a little quality time together?”
My hand drops even lower as I pull her toward me and bury my face in her neck, groaning. “Sounds like heaven, baby. I’m gonna be hard all day thinkin’ bout what I’m gonna do to you when we’re alone.”
“I hope it involves open mouths and kitchen counters,” she says, a sultriness to her voice.
I groan again. “And tables, and showers, and couches, and walls. I’m gonna fuck you up and down this place. Come Sunday, you’re gonna walk like you’ve spent a week ridin’ a horse the size of Atticus.”
She giggles. “I can’t wait.”
When I first met Harper, there wasn’t a single doubt in my mind that she and I belonged. I took one look at her, and I didn’t see her age, or her size, or any number of the things she had insecurities over. I saw a woman who’d been spun from the heavens who I was destined to take as mine. Harper is my other half, my soulmate, and I know without a doubt that my life would feel incomplete without her. She’s my world, and my love grows deeper every day.
