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“Yeah! We’ll wake up at five to feed the horses, fill up their water buckets, and then bring them to the pastures. Once they’re out, we’ll shovel their poop and wheel it out, then lay more straw before bringing them back in.”
“Wait...I can’t do all that.”
“Sure ya can. Mallory does, and she’s only a couple years older than you.”
“But she lives on a ranch. She’s used to it!” She pouts, and I can’t help the laughter that bursts out of me.
“I’ll teach ya. You’ll have biceps as big as mine before you know it.”
“Are you scarin’ our daughter?” Laney waltzes in with a smirk planted on her beautiful face.
“Just givin’ her a little insight to livin’ on a horse ranch. A lot of work is involved. It’s not all fun ’n’ games.”
“But the website says it is...” She gives me aduhexpression.
Laney snorts. “She’s gotcha there, cowboy.”
“Well, since I have to work, maybe it’s best ya just wait to come with your mama. We’ll do all kinds of fun stuff then.”
Serena folds her arms. “Fine. I hope it comes fast.”
I boop her nose and kiss the top of her forehead. “It will.”
Since our shower, Laney and I have slept in her bed the past two nights, and I’ve already grown used to her sleeping next to me. I’ll miss her and Serena like crazy. It makes my mornings when I find them in the kitchen as they make breakfast and coffee. I know it’ll be different when we’re all living together and rushing off to work or school, but I liked knowing I'm waking up to my family when I go to bed at night.
Things have been amazing between Laney and me. After Serena goes to bed and we make love, I hold her, and we talk for hours. I might be close to being sleep-deprived, but it’s so damn worth it. We’ve discussed expanding our family and what life will be like when we’re all together for good.
I’ve never wanted anything more.
After I zip up my suitcase, I motion to them that I’m ready.
“Before we go, we have a surprise for you.” Laney smiles wide, then nods to Serena.
“What kinda surprise?” I raise a brow.
Serena takes my hand and leads me down the hallway with Laney behind us. Once we get to the living room, Laney stands in front of me.
“There’s been a change of plans with you movin’ here,” Laney says, and my heart sinks.
My eyes twitch as I look at Serena and then back at Laney. Both are smiling.
“What do you mean?”
Laney opens the front door, and Serena pulls me to follow.
“What’s goin’ on—” It’s then I see a FOR SALE sign in the front yard. “You’re sellin’ the house?”
“We’re movin’ to Tennessee!” Serena shouts, and I stare at them in disbelief.
“We decided a fresh start is what we all needed, and in order to put the past behind us for good, we wanna come with you. We can buy a new house and make it our own.” Laney chews nervously on her bottom lip as I cup her cheek. “What do ya think?”
“I...what? How is this possible?” I blink hard, trying to form a coherent thought. “What about the store and Serena’s school? I mean, I’d love for y’all to live with me in Sugarland Creek. But you have a life here already. Why the change of heart?”
“It wasn’t just my happiness on the line, it’s yours too, and I know how much you love workin’ there and the Hollises. You selflessly offered to move here without question, and as much as I appreciate that, I should’ve considered what you were sacrificin’.”
“Plus, you have horses there, and we don’t,” Serena adds.
“Yeah, it didn’t take much to persuade her.” Laney laughs, and so do I.
