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"Then why did you say you needed to go to town?"
"You came back to the farm joyful. As much as I desired you to be happy, I didn't want to hear about your relationship with Mayson." Kaleb lifted a shoulder. "It's selfish, I know. I realized the mistake I made in letting you go, and I was frustrated with myself for waiting too long to tell you."
Cinnamon mulled the information around in her mind. The Kaleb she used to know didn't act so selflessly. He had his moments, but mostly, he wanted what he wanted and went after it. It surprised her that he would've given up without a fight.
"What if we’d made it work? Me and Mayson? What would you have done?" Cinnamon leaned over and threaded their fingers together.
Kaleb gave her hand a gentle squeeze, holding on to the steering wheel with his free hand. "I don't know. It took everything within me not to force you two apart when I saw you at the park." He scowled at the memory. "I wanted to gather you in my arms and show you what a real kiss was like."
"Oh, believe me, I would’ve much ratherthatthan what I experienced with Mayson." Cinnamon laughed. "Did you really ask Scarlet not to say anything to me?"
He nodded. "I didn't want to come between you and Mayson. I made her promise to keep what I saw to herself, no matter what. Even today, she didn't say anything. I knew she had information she was probably dying to share, but she didn't."
"I felt that same way when I told the girls what happened." Cinnamon's eyes drifted to the window. The trees whisked by as they drove down the highway.
How many times had she driven down this path, wishing for a different outcome with her and Kaleb? Each time she pulled into thefarm,she fought the frustration of having lost the love of her life without a say in the matter. And now, as they headed back to Linden Farms, hope built in her heart for the first time in years.
"I'm surprised she kept it all to herself." Kaleb flipped the blinker and guided the truck onto the lane leading to the farm. "Shane must have a calming effect on her."
Cinnamon laughed. "I thought that same thing. She has grown up quite a bit."
"I'm still flabbergasted she's getting married." Kaleb shook his head. "She will always be my baby sister."
"Now she'll be yourmarriedbaby sister." Cinnamon released his hand. "It's a nice gift you're giving her and Shane."
"She told you gals, huh?" Kaleb blushed. "I didn't think she would just yet."
"Scarlet wanted to get some ideas. She showed us the pictures." Cinnamon climbed out of the truck, Bible in her arms. "Where's it going to be built?"
Kaleb held out his hand. "Come on. I'll show you."
They walked a bit in silence, their hands clasped together as if the last dozen years didn't occur. Cinnamon used to love walking around the farm with Kaleb, hearing how his dad planned to expand and the excitement that laced Kaleb's voice at being a part of it.
They stopped, and he pointed to a clearing. "She agreed that's a good place for their house. Not too far from the main house, but far enough to give them privacy. Grady will build one for himself over there." Kaleb gestured to the opposite side of the farm. "If he hasn't changed his mind about letting me have the main house."
Cinnamon faced him. "You want to stay in the main house?"
"I do. It's where I grew up. I want my kids to have the same kind of memories I have." Kaleb tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hopefully my wife will agree. But if she doesn't, I'll go wherever she wants to." His pointed look held meaning.
"I'm sure she'd love to live in a place that always felt like home to her."
Kaleb leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. "That's what I hoped you'd say."
Cinnamon sucked in a breath, a smile lifting her lips. Finally, she and Kaleb were on the same page. God willing, they'd stay that way.
Chapter Fifteen
Ten days to go until the Red, White, and Ewe extravaganza at Linden Farms. Tension normally pushed Kaleb's shoulder blades together. This year, he took everything in stride. The difference had to be his relationship with Cinnamon.
Every night since their drive to town, they stayed up late talking, getting to know how they'd changed over the years, and of course, exchanging a few kisses here and there. He made a decision years before to wait until he was married to be intimate with a woman, so they had boundaries in place. It also made a difference that he moved into an empty cabin in order to be above reproach.
Mom and Dad taught him to respect a woman more than his own fleshly desires. If that meant moving out of his house for the summer, so be it. He hoped to make her his wife in the near future anyway, so it didn't matter if he slept in another place for a short time.
Walking through town, Kaleb surveyed the red, white, and blue flags and decorations scattered about the streets and businesses. Winter Springs did a great job embracing each and every holiday. The committee outdid themselves with the banners displaying Red, White, and Ewe at the farm.
"Do you think it'll be busier this year than last year?" Cinnamon swung her purse by her side, her head darting back and forth at the changes around town.
"I think so. The committee advertised the day's activities in the newspapers and in the neighboring towns." The joy on Cinnamon's face stole the breath right out of him. Her wide-eyed wonder made it seem she'd never seen the town look so festive.
