Page 112 of Home Is Where You Are

“It’s okay. Everyone makes mistakes,” I tried to reassure her. I didn’t need to tell her to be more careful in the future; by the pain in her voice, she was beating herself up enough. She didn’t need me to add to it.

“You scared the life out of me. Seeing you laying on the ground unconscious, I swear I lost a few years off my life,” I told her as I pulled her hand up and kissed the back of it.

“I didn’t mean to scare anyone. I’m really okay,” she tried to reassure me.

Until the doctor returned and told me she was fine, I wouldn’t believe it.

“I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you,” I confessed, choking on my emotions.

“I’m fine. I promise. I’d tell you if I wasn’t.”

The doctor came in and told us that her scans were clear, and that she had a concussion. He wanted to monitor her for a few hours, but after that she was free to go.

“I need you to stand up and look at me right this second, Gentry,” she demanded in a terse tone.

I complied, standing at her demand. I looked down at her and prayed she wasn’t about to tell me something I didn’t want to hear.

“I’m truly okay, and I’m not going anywhere. I want you to know something,” she said, and I swallowed hard as I waited for her to continue.

“You mean the world to me, Gentry Parkhurst. You’re the perfect man for me. You’re loving and kind to everyone you meet. You go after what you want in life and take all the right roads to get you to where you’re meant to be. You forgave me and loved me even though you didn’t have to. You’re the man I love with my whole heart. And, Gentry,” she paused. My heart raced at what she was about to say.

“Yeah, butterfly?”

“I choose you, cowboy. I’d choose you in every lifetime. I love you so much,” she said with tears in her eyes.

“I love you too. So much it scares me. I never want to lose you again,” I told her as I leaned forward and gently kissed her lips not wanting to hurt her.

“You’re never going to lose me. It’s you and me against the world,” she promised. And for the first time in a long time, I finally felt content and extremely happy. I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.

thirty-six

THREE MONTHS LATER

AINSLEIGH

Something was up with everyone around here. There were hushed conversations when I walked into the room. They all tried to play it off, but they were hiding something from me. Especially when it came to seeing Gentry and my brothers huddled together.

I wouldn’t say I hated surprises. I loved them. But I had a feeling they were all being quiet because everyone was in on whatever big secret they were withholding.

I was extra tired, and my dad told me I could leave early as long as everything was finished for the day. For the past hour, I’d hurried to get my work done. All I wanted was my comfy yoga pants, an oversized shirt of Gentry’s, and our bed.

Finally, I shut the computer down and was thankful I drove my Jeep to the office instead of riding the four-wheeler. One less stop I’d have to make before heading home. It was just past three in the afternoon. The sun was high in the sky as I exited the office and locked the door. I held my hand over my eyes to block the bright rays as I looked out into the front field. I’d always loved this land, but even more so now that I was older and appreciated it.

Letting out a sigh, I walked to my Jeep and set off for home.

Thankfully I only lived a two minute drive away.

Once inside the house, I dropped my keys in the bowl by the door and walked to mine and Gentry’s bedroom.

A gasp escaped me when I walked into the room to find a bouquet of sunflowers on the bed along with a beautiful white sundress.

On unsteady legs, I walked over to the bed and picked up an envelope that laid on top of the cotton material.

Inside was a letter written in Gentry’s handwriting. My hands shook as I read the words he'd written.

Good afternoon beautiful girl,

I need you to put on the dress and boots and meet me out at the tree.