“Pleeeease…”
King huffs. “Fine.”
We’re out of the door, strolling down the long driveway before hopping a gate and marching through a wildflower field.
King explains that after his parents died, he didn’t come back here. He hired caretakers but never wanted to feel the grief of their loss by going inside.
“A few months ago, the neighbor that leased our fields for hay told me he was retiring,” King says as we head for the next field, his fingers squeezing mine as the long grass swishes around our steps. “Selling and moving to Florida with his wife. They have kids, but none of them are interested in taking over the farm.”
“So there will be new neighbors?” I ask, peering at the tips of buildings across the field and behind some trees.
King nods. “It sold last week. A large developer bought it, looking to put two hundred fifty houses on the land. Chop it up into half acre parcels.”
“What?”
“The Nolans were sorry. They didn’t want it developed, but the only other person interested couldn’t put the deal together in time.” He points at a rough stone wall just ahead. “Think you can climb that if I give you a leg up?”
I frown. “Sure, but… isn’t there a gate through to the next field?”
“Not yet. I’m going to have one built.”
“Why?”
“Because, that’s Woodland Creek.”
I step back. “Wait. The Nolan farm is called Woodland Creek?”
King grins, turning my way and nodding. “Uh huh.”
Woodland Creek Farm.
That was the name of the place I wanted to buy. I knew they’d taken another offer…
“What’s going on?” I ask. “Why are you taking me over there?”
“I thought you wanted to take a tour of our land,” King says. “All our land.”
He grins, and my heart is thundering. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I bought it for us,” he says with a nod.
“My farm. Oh my God!” My brain can’t quite believe it, and my heart starts to race as I realize I’m not dreaming. This is real. This is ours. “I knew your parents place was in the same area but I didn’t realize their land went this far.”
“We might let Benjamin live in my old place here.” King steps forward, taking my hands in his. “If he gets himself straight. It’s going to take some work to get the farmhouse fixed up, and it will be good for him to keep busy and learn a trade. The Nolan place is ready to move into right away, but I want us to make it ours together. What do you think, baby? Be my wife, make me a real king.”
“I can’t believe it,” I say, trying to figure out all the coincidences that the universe had to bring together for all this to happen.
The chaos of the universe.
I get lost in the breeze and the sunshine, closing my eyes focusing on my gratitude.
When I open my eyes, King is counting.
“…four, five, six…” He’s smiling as he counts.
“What are you doing?”
“…eight, nine, ten.”
