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“We’ll do that. I might check with Reece first because he wasn’t sure if they were free, so maybe we can use some of the dates Liam has.”
I’m starting to feel excited—we might get to Stowe after all. It would be amazing if we do. I’m guessing that being able to reserve a room in Stowe at the end of October might get tricky.
Silence follows as we eat and it definitely has everything to do with the food. It tastes amazing, especially the fresh, herb bread Mara has made.
With my eyes full of mirth, I turn and face her. “You know, they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I tear a piece of the bread off, popping it into my mouth.
“She’s already in my heart.” Donovan takes Mara’s hand in his, lifts it up to his lips, and kisses her knuckles, keeping their fingers entwined.
The delight on Mara’s face is plain for everyone to see. She loves Donovan and their affection causes my heart to flutter in my chest as I glance at Ryder. He has the same loving look on his face for me as Donovan always wears for Mara.
Ryder smiles and blows me a kiss as Mara jumps up, and runs back into the house.
He leans back in his chair after eating the last of his lunch and rubs his stomach. “So what’s for dessert?” he asks, giving me a wicked look.
I smack his leg in a playful move. “Mara has made a delicious dessert.”
He chuckles and sits forward. “Sounds good, babe.”
Mara brings her creation out and places it in the center of the table.
Once she’s served us all a slice, Ryder brings up the cabin again.
“Do you know how secluded the cabin in Stowe is?” he asks Donovan.
“I’ve never been, but I think it’s a fifteen minute trek through thick forest to get to your nearest neighbor.” Donovan shrugs. “You really want to go up there, don’t you?”
“We do.”
“Then I hope it works out.” He grins. “I can always come up with something to keep Reece here.”
“You can’t do that,” I laugh. “I’m sure it’ll all work out fine.”
Chapter Ten
Ryder
“You need to start packing, babe,” I inform Dahlia during our cell conversation.
I’m sitting in the truck around the corner from Brittany’s house and I’m happy that I get to give Dahlia some good news while she waits for me to get back. A few minutes ago, I received a call from Liam, offering me the cabin in Stowe.
The smile is still on my face knowing how much Dahlia wants to visit Stowe, and listening to her scream into my ear makes me laugh.
“We’ll leave tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she mumbles.
Is she crying?
“Babe, are you all right?” I ask, wishing I was with her.
“I’m okay. I’ve always wanted to visit Stowe and the fact we’re going, and together, makes me so happy.”
Although she can’t see me, I smile.
With the care she’s shown me over the past few days, I now have the courage to deal with whatever Brittany, and her family throw at me.
It isn’t going to be easy, but Dahlia makes me feel like I own the world.
