Page 113 of Good Directions

“No, we just stopped by to witness this.” Gus jerks a thumb toward his brother.

Five minutes later, we’re by ourselves again—Gus and Margeaux having headed out to the farmers’ market—the next round of Captain America’s shield-sized pancakes delivered, overhanging the plate it rests on, taunting Anton.

“So, I was thinking,” Anton says casually, as if he was picking the conversation back up where we left off. Except, I don’t remember what we were talking about before his brother showed up.

“About?”

“Next weekend.”

Next weekend. Also known as moving day. Accepting the job with Hayes was a no-brainer, but it did require a move to Hickory Hills. Also a decision that required little to no thought from me, other than the logistics behind it all. Breaking my lease, packing up my apartment, and then figuring out where exactly I was going to live in Hickory Hills took some doing, but nothing I couldn’t juggle. Especially since I had time on my hands after giving my notice to the ag department.

“Should be relatively straightforward. Pretty much everything is boxed up and ready to go, other than the few things I’ve needed for daily use. I’ve got it all sorted with what is going into storage, which is pretty much everything, and then the few things that will come with me to your parents’.”

“Yeah, about that…”

My stomach lurches, trepidation instantly taking over. About what? Miss Belle didn’t skip a beat in insisting that I move back in with them when I signed on with Hayes, telling me that she wouldn’t dream of me staying anywhere else until either there was an open spot for me at Hayes House once the seasonal workers vacated in a few weeks or there was something else in town.

Maybe that was it. Maybe there was an open apartment for me at Hayes House. Margeaux had lived there when she first moved to town, so it’s possible whichever unit she was in is available again, which would be nice. That would mean that I was still on the Hayes estate—so close enough to Anton and work—but not at his parents’ house. There is only so much privacy to be had in that house.

“Anton, whatever it is, just say it.”

“What if you didn’t move into Magnolia Manor?”

Errrr….what?!

I blink, slowly, trying to process his question. Because it leaves me with a whole bunch more.

“Then where would I go? Or are you saying I should unpack my things?”

“Anton House.”

Anton House. As in the small, historic farmhouse he lives in.

My heart stops. Partially out of shock, partially, I think, out of kindness, in giving my brain a chance to catch up. Because I think Anton is asking me to move in with him.

I think.

“As in the house you live in?” I choke out, realizing just how stupid that sounds as I say it.

Anton chuckles. “I know it’s fast. But I made the mistake before of not being open and communicating what I want. So this is me telling you what I want. And that is you moving into my place, with me. Because as much fun as sneaky, childhood-bedroom sex is, repeated walks of shame in front of my mama negate that real quick.”

I stare back at him, stunned. More than that, overwhelmed by all the emotions taking over—fear, happiness, but most of all love. As in, I’m so head over heels in love with him it’s not funny.

So I sputter out the only word I can manage.

“Yes.”

“Please don’t think it’s just about sex; it’s not. Well, not just about that. You’ll be surrounded by the peanut fields to play in. And I want our life together to start now—adventures in the kitchen, and watching movies, and waking up next to you every morning and ow!”

I pull back my leg from kicking his shin, the same stop it look returning to my face. “Stop talking. I already said yes.”

“I like it when you get all bossy.”

He smirks again, shoving food into his mouth. I laugh, my heart feeling like it could explode.

“Good, then eat faster, because now I want to do things to you that I’m pretty sure would get Dolly shut down by the health department.”

Anton waggles his eyebrows, fire flashing in his eyes.

“Yes, ma’am.” He winks. “Dolly, I’m gonna need more pancakes!”