Page 102 of Home Is Where You Are

I got up from the barstool and walked over to my mom and pulled her into my arms.

She always knew what I needed without me ever asking, and I was so happy that I’d decided to stay in Texas. I’d missed my mama something fierce while I was gone, and now I couldn’t wait to spend as much time with her as possible.

“Thank you, Mama,” I said, hugging her like it would be the last time I’d get to do so.

“You don’t have to thank me, sweet girl. Anything I can do to help ease the ache that will never go away, just fade over time, I’ll do. That’s what mamas are there for,” she said as she held me tight.

She pulled back first, wiping away the tears I hadn’t even known were falling.

“I’m so proud of you, Ainsleigh. You’re pulling yourself back up and out of the trenches, and you’re going to do amazing things with your life. Even if those amazing things don’t include you working on this ranch,” she said, giving me a knowing look.

How did she know?

As if she could read my thoughts, she said, “A mother knows things without you even mentioning them. Just know, no matter what you decide, I’ll be happy for you.”

I didn’t know I needed my mother’s reassurance until I heard it from her lips.

“Thank you, Mama. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that,” I said with a tremble of my lips.

“Anytime, my beautiful girl. You want to help me get dinner ready?” she asked, shocking me because this woman’s kitchen was her domain, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to spend some time with her. I’d find time to talk with Gentry later; right now a girl just needed time with her mom.

thirty-one

GENTRY

I’d waited all day to hear from Ainsleigh about how her interview and therapy session went.

I’d finished up for the day and made my way to the main house, needing to see my girl.

Once inside, I found her. Ainsleigh hadn’t heard me enter. I closed the door as quietly as possible and leaned against it, just taking in the moment between her and her mom. They had music playing softly as they both danced around the kitchen. The smell of barbeque sauce and homemade biscuits filled the air, causing my stomach to growl. Thankful for the music so they didn’t hear me, I continued to watch her, so happy and carefree as she laughed with her mom as they plated our food. She turned around to take one of the platters to the table, finally noticing my presence.

She jumped back, the platter teetering in her grasp, but she managed not to drop it as she regained her composure.

“Way to sneak up on a girl, cowboy,” she joked as she walked over to the table and sat the platter of barbeque chicken in the center.

“You two seemed so focused, I wanted to take a minute and enjoy the moment,” I admitted.

I left my spot in front of the door, walking over to her and pulling her in my arms. I gave her a chaste kiss on the lips, not caring that her mother was likely watching. I wanted to love this woman out in the open and I didn’t care who saw.

She blushed as I pulled away, and she finished helping her mother set the table.

Her brothers and father joined us shortly after, and we all sat down to enjoy the meal. I didn’t taste a single bit as my thoughts were focused on getting Ainsleigh alone so we could talk.

It was the longest dinner of my life. The minutes seemed to go by at a snail’s pace as my foot bounced beneath the table.

When dinner was finally over, it took every ounce of restraint I had not to pull Ainsleigh out of the house and into the loft.

Of course, we helped her mom clean up dinner; I had to do my part around here, after all.

The moment the last dish was dried and put away, I grabbed Ainsleigh’s hand, and we left the house without saying goodbye to everyone. I swear I could hear her mom and dad chuckle to themselves as we shut the back door.

In record time, we made our way down the path and into the barn. I took the stairs at a fast pace, but Ainsleigh kept up with me the entire way.

Once we were in the loft, I finally felt like I could breathe.

“Why the hurry, Gentry? Where’s the fire?” she asked as she sat in the middle of the bed, her legs crossed, worry in her eyes.

I had to refrain from blurting it all out. That was a surefire way for her to put up her defenses.