Grey’s just finished repacking his ultrasound equipment and he stands to go.
“Now, Grey, are you married?” Max asks him.
“Nope. Been busy with vet school.”
“What a shame you didn’t move out here sooner. Bliss was single only a few short months ago,” Max explains.
Grey smiles but doesn’t take the bait. “She seems very happy with Zane.”
Yes, I always knew I liked this guy.No one can convince me otherwise.
Grey takes his boxes of things and walks out of the barn, Nash trailing behind him.
Max looks at me seriously this time. “But really, how is it going?”
I glance at the door that Grey and Nash just walked through. “I love her. I love her so much and can’t believe I didn’t realize it sooner.”
“You have been married for almost eight weeks now…” Max leans back against one of the cattle panels and folds his arms across his chest. “Have you told her you love her?”
“No, not yet.” I bend down and pick up a cattle tag that was dropped on the ground. I put it in my pocket to toss in the trash on the way out.
“What are you waiting for?”
“I’m not sure she feels the same way. I want to tell her, though.”
Max nods slowly. “Probably a good idea not to scare her away. It’s probably better if you act like it’s the most normal thing.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, Charlie doesn’t like a big dramatic fuss. If I blindsided her with asking her out…it probably would not have gone over well.”
He’s got a point. “So you’re saying I shouldn’t tell her I love her?”
“Oh, you definitely should. She needs to hear it. But ease into it. Don’t just spring it on her in surprise. And for goodness’ sake, if for some reason she says she loves you first, don’t overwhelm her with all the stuff you’ve been holding in. Let her have her moment. You don’t want her to feel like you’re pressuring her into it.”
I’d never considered it that way before. I have to be careful how I go about this…test the waters and be patient a little longer. Even if it feels like my heart might burst.
There’s no way on God’s green earth that I could survive losing Bliss, so I’ll act as nonchalant as I need to.
CHAPTER 24
Bliss
The sun is shining brightlyas I push open the door to Magnolia’s new bakery. Charlie and Max dropped my truck off early this morning, so I was able to go check on my sheep before I drove into town.
Magnolia’s bakery hasn’t officially opened yet, but she said that she was getting it set up this week and that I should stop by. I’m taking her up on that offer today.
I walk into the strong smell of coffee. It’s heaven to my nose.
“You’re here!” Magnolia exclaims. “Perfect timing!”
“Run away while you still can!” Charlie shouts from somewhere on the other side of the countertops.
I walk in and lean over the counter. Charlie’s messing with cabinet doors.
Magnolia is standing in front of the espresso machine, making four cups of coffee.
“What’s she doing?” I ask Charlie quietly.
