She looked up at me, and I touched her cheek. She leaned into my hand.
“Is lying to you?”
She nodded.
“Then I'll just have to keep telling it what the truth is, and hopefully soon, it will know what your heart knows.” I kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes, leaning into me more.
We stayed like this for a few minutes until Duke barked at the door, upset he was outside alone.
Rae let out a breathy laugh. “Something my heart knows at the moment is that if we don't go outside to feed the animals, I may never want to leave your arms.”
“I wouldn't mind that.” I kept my voice playful. “How about I go pull out the food for the animals and then you meet me out there when you're ready?”
She nodded, and I left her with a smile.
Chapter 38
Caleb
Iwas glad I askedfor a few days off because this time with her, it was good for both of us—absolutely necessary. We'd gotten closer emotionally and reconnected more than we already had before she moved in. Physically, I could tell she was feeling more comfortable with me, especially after what I just did—her allowing me to touch her skin more. I could feel the shift coming, the one I wanted for her more than anything. But if I was being honest, I wanted it for us, too.
She seemed happier now since facing another fear with me, and I could see the sunshine coming back into her eyes. While I wanted normalcy for her, for us, a part of me also wished we didn’t have to go back to work in a few days. Not hearing from Ethan at all worried me, but I had hoped he decided to move on.
“Where’s Duke?” she asked while looking around.
“I took him inside because...I have an idea,” I said to her as she walked towards the barn after feeding the chickens. I'd been watching her, admiring how she was with the animals. She was so sweet and loving with every single one of them, I knew she'd love what I was about to say.
She brushed her stray hairs out of her face and gave me a curious look.
I reached out a hand and when she took it, I pulled her close. I wrapped my arm around her waist and leaned into her, a motion that she'd grown comfortable with quickly. She blushed, giggling under her breath, and something in my chest pulled tight. That sound—gosh—it nearly undid me.
“How do you feel about taking a ride with me?”
“Wait, like...on the horses?” she asked with such excitement, her voice echoed in the barn.
The look on her face when I nodded was one that would stick in my brain for the rest of my life. She was ecstatic. She loved the horses and going riding with me when we were teens.
