My head swam, and my dick moved. “Oh.”
“Oh?” He frowned. “I am willing to consider amendments to this proposal, you know.”
“No! No, no, no. I just… I didn’t realizethiswas what being in a relationship would be like.” I grinned. “Maybe I’ve been missing out.”
“Yeah,” he said softly. “Maybe we both have.” Hawk lifted up on his toes, wrapped his arms around my waist, and kissed me. “So let’s make up for lost time, okay?”
I grabbed his chin and leaned in to kiss him. “As you wish.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
HAWK
“It’s been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.”
~ Mr. Collins
I cameoff the mountain feeling euphoric. Even though Jack had been gone for hours, I still felt the imprint of his lips on mine, of his hands on my hips, of his warm breath in my hair.
He wanted me.
When I pulled my car in front of the farmhouse at Sunday Orchard shortly after noon, I was so happy I felt buoyant. Like little champagne bubbles of excitement fizzed through my bloodstream. It wasn’t every day a person got to experience something they’d been dreaming of for seven years and then spent two weeks thinking they would never, ever have. But today wasmyday, and I defied the universe itself to try to bring down my mood.
I have kissed Jack Wyatt—more than once—and he’s agreed to pop my cherry. Jane Austen herself could not have written me a happier ending than this. Come at me, bro.
“Afternoon, everyone!” I sang as I walked through the front door.
Luke sat cross-legged on the couch surrounded by papers, as usual—probably lesson plans, crochet patterns, or a combination of both. Webb, dressed in his usual summer uniform of cargo shorts and a Sunday Orchard T-shirt, sat slumped beside him, a cold drink in his hand. And Aiden crouched on the braided rug at their feet with our old dog, Sally Ann, and his new puppy, Black Bear.
“Uncle Hawk!” Aiden cried. “I thought you lived on a mountain now!”
“Only temporarily.” I grinned. “And I had to come back for Pye Day, right?”
“Yeah! So… maybe can you help me?” he asked eagerly, all big green eyes and sandy hair. “I wanted to enter either Sally Ann or Bear into the pet show at the potluck, but neither one of ’em knows any tricks. Luke says Bear’s too little to learn, and Dad says Sally Ann’s too old, so I figured maybe if I tried to teach themtogether, they’d help each other.”
“That’s good thinking.” I raised an eyebrow at my brother. “And I think you need to remind your dad that old dogs can definitely learn new tricks if you give them the right motivation. Right, Webb?”
Webb rolled his eyes and leaned into Luke’s side.
“You mean, like… give ’em treats?” Aiden suggested doubtfully.
“Exactly that.” I shot Luke a wink. “Wouldn’t you agree, Luke?”
Luke laughed and blushed. “It definitely doesn’t hurt,” he agreed.
Aiden passed me on his way to the kitchen to get the dog treats, and the dogs scrambled to follow.
“Gotta go.” I hooked a thumb up the stairs. “I’ve been dying for a shower and fresh clothes. Then I’ve gotta get to work and the potluck. Will I see you guys there?”
Luke nodded, and I shot them both a smile before turning toward the stairs.
“Hey, Hawk?” Webb called.
“Yeah?” I turned back.
“Everything… good?” he asked, his eyes raking me up and down.
For the first time in months, I didn’t see that concerned look as Webb not trusting me to handle my own life. Instead, I saw it for what it probably always had been: love.
