Chapter 36
Rae
This morning had beena blur. Caleb and I had baked the cookies we forgot to finish last night and cleaned the rest of the way before Jenny and Luke came over for dinner. Caleb had been so kind last night and all day today. He made me laugh, flirted with me, kissed me, and kept his promise about not going anywhere. He didn’t push the conversation. He made me feel normal.
He seemed excited that Jenny and Luke were coming over. I had seen them around the farm on the days they were here but I never did more than wave.
They would be here in just a few minutes, and I was excited and feeling kind of nervous—but why?
“Where’s your head at, beautiful?” Caleb startled me, and I dropped the plate I was holding. He caught it before it hit the floor.
“I’m so sorry! I must have zoned out.”
“It’s okay.” He smiled at me, and it felt like butterflies were flying around in my stomach. He set the plate on the table before turning to take the others from me that I’d pulled from the cabinet.
“I was just thinking...I don’t actually know. I kind of feel nervous about Jenny and Luke coming over, but I’m not sure why.”
Caleb’s face turned thoughtful. “Do you think you’re nervous about it since you’ve not had time with people alone, besides me?”
“Maybe? Ethan always controlled conversations. But what if we don’t reconnect easily, or what if they say something and I get uncomfortable and make it awkward?”
Caleb chuckled as he wrapped an arm around me. “Rae, do not worry. If I see that you’re feeling uncomfortable, I will change the subject or something. I’m not going to throw my girl to the wolves.” I held him close, loving how he called me his girl.
“Don’t hate me but I told them we won’t be talking about college and where you lived. They know nothing and didn’t even question why. If you want to tell them, that is your choice. Plus, if you need an out, just tap my shoulder or say you’re going to use the restroom and then ask if I can help you with something. We’ll figure it out.”
We looked at each other, still wrapped in each other’s arms. “What did I do to deserve you, Ranger?”
He kissed my forehead. “You existed” he said, his breath on my skin.
“Dinner was great, youguys. And Rae, these cookies you made are so good. Thank you for having us over,” Luke said before he took another bite.
“Agreed. This has been fun!” Jenny chimed in.
They were not wrong. The conversations flowed easily, and I was having fun. Caleb reached for my hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. I smiled at him in return.
Jenny and Luke exchanged a look and I looked down at my hand, fingers linked with Caleb’s. His thumb moved lazily along my thumb, sending a tingling feeling through my entire body.
“So, when is the horseback riding date?” Luke said as he picked up his sweet tea and grinned at me before taking a sip.
