Page 63 of Property of Gray

“I want to start our life there. Together.”

“Well, maybe I want to live here. It’s where I grew up and where I’m comfortable.”

“Okay, then I’ll sell the farm and move in here.”

“No. Back up. You’re not moving in.”

“If my baby is living here, I’m going to be living here.”

“Okay. I’ll live with Bill, and you can live here.”

“Babe. Do you even hear yourself?”

“Ugh. Whatever.”

He gets up.

“Are you leaving now?”

“Just grabbing my shoes.”

I roll my eyes as he climbs halfway back out of my window to grab his boots. I should push him out, but that would be mean. Mean but funny.

“What are you doing?” I question when he shoves his boots in my closet and hangs up his cut.

“I told you. If you and my baby are living here, then I am too.”

“Gray, I didn’t agree to this. Grannie Mags didn’t either.”

“She loves me, unlike some people.”

“I never said I don’t love you.”

“You love me.” He crosses the room.

“No, wait.” I hold up a finger, and he shakes his head. Then Braxton Gray kisses me.

His lips on mine are better than good, they’re great.

“Just a little further. Step up.”

“My back hurts.”

“Be nice. Bill worked really hard on this.”

“You didn’t tell me it was from Bill.”

“Well, it is.”

“Oh,” I smile. “Can I take this off yet?”

“Not yet.”

Gray pulls me forward another step. “Okay. Now you can look.” He removes the bandana he had tied over my eyes.

“Oh, wow. It’s beautiful. You did this?” I look over at Bill, who is smiling from ear to ear with his hand on a crib for the baby.

“Me and Grannie Mags worked on it together. She said it belonged to you when you were a baby. She picked out the paint and the bedding. I did the sanding and painting.”