Page 84 of Home Is Where You Are

“Sleep good, beautiful,” he whispered as he leaned down and kissed my forehead.

Shivers covered my skin as his lips met my skin and stayed long after they were gone.

“Sleep good, cowboy,” I replied as I went inside and up to my room.

Dinner long forgotten. I couldn’t eat even if I tried.

That night I slept the best I had since the day I returned.

twenty-seven

AINSLEIGH

Asmile hadn’t left my face all day. After Gentry and I talked yesterday, I felt lighter, happier than I had since I’d left.

I put my hand in the back pocket of my jeans and fished out the note that I found this morning. The other reason I couldn’t stop smiling today.

Sometime this morning before I woke up, Gentry had come into my room and left a note in the shape of a butterfly—he used to leave notes in the same shape in my locker every morning. Just a simple little saying on the inside to make my day brighter.

This morning’s note read:

Meet me at the confession tree at six.

Have a great day, butterfly.

Gentry

The day seemed to drag and fly by at the same time, if that made sense. I didn’t know what confessions he’d had for me today. I thought we’d made some pretty steep confessions last night. Apparently, he had something else he wanted to tell me. I was nervous, but excited at the same time as I clocked out for the day. I didn’t know if I should ride Sparkle or walk, but ultimately, I decided to walk. I didn’t know how long we’d be at the tree, and I wanted to make sure I gave her a good brush down before I left for the day.

I walked Sparkle back to the barn and into her stall as I gathered her brush.

“You’re such a beautiful girl,” I said to her as I began brushing her coat.

She nodded as if she understood. I swear this horse understood more than people thought she could.

“I wonder what he’s got on his mind. What do you think, girl? Is it going to be good or bad?”

Of course, she didn’t respond as I contemplated the conversation Gentry wanted to discuss.

I finished brushing her in silence as I reveled in my thoughts.

Walking out of the stall, I shut the door and hung up the brush.

“I love him, you know. I never stopped. I’m scared of what our future holds. I’m scared that he hasn’t forgiven me for leaving him behind, even though he says he has. I’m scared to be happy and have it all end.”

Admitting those thoughts aloud made me realize just how nervous I was for tonight.

“I’ll see you in the morning, pretty girl,” I told her as I held out a couple of sugar cubes.

She graciously took them from my palm as I leaned forward and kissed the star-shaped patch on her forehead.

I quickened my steps as I went into the house to quickly shower before it was time to head out to meet Gentry.

After I showered and threw my hair up in a ponytail, I pulled on a pair of my favorite denim jeans with a baby doll halter top. I pulled on my pair of white cowboy boots and put my phone in my back pocket before I set off to meet Gentry.

As I walked down the path, I settled my nerves. It was just Gentry. I might not know the man he is now, but I know him. There was no need to be nervous.

The tree came into view along with the man who caused my heart to race even four years later.