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“If things work out,” Austen says and looks out at the sunset. “Between us, I mean. We’d build a house together, right?”
“Think you’d be up to a quick ride to the land I own?” I ask, pushing her too much again.
Austen surprises me by smiling and nodding. “I’m feeling a little fearless right now. We best take advantage of my confidence boost before I get in my way again.”
My thoughts immediately flash to my bedroom, where I’d like to test her fearlessness. Austen’s watching me with absolute devotion. I really hit it out of the ballpark by bringing the horse here.
There’s an optimistic glow between us now. Austen wasn’t so sure about her choice to come here. I know she wants me. However, she wasn’t certain about building a life in McMurdo Valley. Based on her willingness to take a ride, I believe my hometown feels like a real option now.
Austen’s arms around my waist are my reward for thinking outside the box. My original plan was to keep everything quiet and stress-free for the first week. I’m starting to realize Austen’s allowed anxiety to hold her back. Yet, when she pushes through the panic, she is plenty strong enough to face problems and the unknown.
We arrive at my slice of paradise located not far from the land where my club brothers live with their families. After buying the acreage as a young man, I nearly sold it a few years back. I figured the land was going to waste and someone else could build their dream home here. Now, I stand on the untouched land and imagine my future house.
“We’d need to cut down trees to fit everything here,” I explain as I take her hand. “I want a house with high ceilings. I love the Pigsty. The size lets me breathe. I don’t care about flooring or wall colors. Your mom’s taste is fine. I don’t know what you like. I just want space to stretch.”
Austen doesn’t say anything as we walk through the golden field. Finally, she sighs. “I hate to think of taming this land to build our home. I know I’m spoiled. My mother’s estate was once on untouched land. But I wasn’t the one making the call to tear it down and build.”
“Most of McMurdo Valley is wild. Don’t you worry about taking too much from this town. It’ll be around long after we’re gone. For now, we’ll make this little slice of the Valley bend to our will.”
Austen smiles at me. “I don’t need a lot. I’m sure after seeing my mom’s place, you believe I’ll require something similar. When I considered moving out, I never searched for a huge house on a big estate.”
“Because you knew you could visit your horses at your mom’s place. But once you live here, you can’t really keep renting out Robert Green’s horses,” I reply while guiding her deeper into the field. “I imagine stables like those your mom has. I’ve also seen the way your dad’s place is set up. We can do a lot of that here.”
“My father breeds horses. He needs a huge operation. I just want a few horses.”
“Can we get a dog?”
Austen smiles instantly. “Of course.”
“And one of Rose the Cat’s kittens is orange like your mom’s cat. I bet we could claim it when they’re big enough to leave their mama.”
“Would Xenia be okay with losing her cats?”
“I don’t think she ever meant to have one, let alone five. She just did something nice for a stray.”
“I love animals, as you know. I’m open to many pets.”
As we continue walking, I explain, “I wanted a dog when I was a kid. As an adult, I never got one. Eagle’s sister breeds labradors. I thought about buying one more than once. I also went to the nearby shelter a few times over the last twenty years. But I never pulled the trigger. Deep down, I worried the dog would like someone at the Pigsty better than me.”
Austen frowns at my words before squeezing my hand. “Do you think it’s because your parents liked your siblings better?”
“Probably. I get how logically they liked my siblings because my brothers and sisters were lame like them. But I think that shit probably messed up my thinking some.”
“Do you want a dog in our house because you know it’ll like you over me?” she asks, wearing a stony expression.
“No, it’s just I assumed the dog would like you more since you’re so good with animals. I wouldn’t take it as personally.”
Austen gives me a slow-spreading smile, and I realize she’s screwing with me.
“You charm everyone you meet. I have no doubt a dog will adore you.” Her gaze washes over the land. “Did you really want two kids?”
“I’m open to whatever.”
“Really? I feel like you’re editing your answers.”
“Kids are a mutual-decision thing. I know that because my father said the opposite. I always try to avoid doing what he did.”
“I’d rather you just follow what your heart says.”
