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We walked down the stone path leading to the sycamore, and I didn’t suspect that Callie even realized what we were doing.
“Besides, she wanted that apartment. It’s nicer than anything she’d find in Rose Ridge that she could afford. She needs to find a job.”
I needed to close the Laura subject, so I offered, “I’ll get her something with the club. One of the businesses.”
Pulling her close and making sure she was in the perfect spot, I took out my bandanna and placed it over her eyes.
“Trust me?”
“Yes, honey. I think we’re past that.”
Gripping her hand, I led her forward until her hand was on the wood plank.
“Okay, put your foot here and then stand up.” She did as I said, and I stayed hovering behind her, making sure she made it up the rest of the way.
“Why am I climbing a ladder? I’m sort of drunk. This feels dangerous.”
Focusing on the wood and limited visibility, I hefted my shoulder into the door and lifted it.
“Okay, place your hands here and just crawl onto the platform.”
She was in a long sundress, so it was harder than I anticipated, but eventually she climbed all the way inside and I crawled in right behind her.
“Okay, take this off.” I helped to untie the blindfold.
She blinked and pushed a few pieces of hair off her forehead as she looked around.
There was a tiny glow lamp on the little table I’d built, but otherwise it was dark.
“Is this…” Callie turned her head, inspecting the space. “A treehouse?”
I smiled, bending my knee while staring at her.
“It’s our treehouse.”
Callie’s face snapped back, examining me with shock.
Placing my hand on one of the boards near the back, I dusted my fingers over the writing.
She moved on her knees, crawling closer so she could see it.
“Peter loves Wendy.” Her gasp was cut short as she spun back to me. “I wrote that while you were sleeping when we were ten. It was always about us, but I was too shy to ever admit it.”
I smiled. “I fell in love with you that first night you popped through that wood hatch. I couldn’t stop thinking about you all year.”
Callie swiped at her eyes letting out a tiny laugh. “I sort of had an idea when you brought two sleeping bags and enough food to feed five people, that next summer.”
Ducking my head, I toyed with the edge of her dress. “I just wanted you to be okay.”
“You pitied me?”
Scooting closer, I tucked a curl behind her ear and answered honestly.
“I did at first, but it was more than that. If it was just pity, I would have been able to stop thinking of you, right? I think I was obsessed, River. You were a little thief, sneaking in and taking my heart, staking a claim to my entire future.”
Warm lips landed on my jaw as Callie tucked her head into my shoulder.
“So you took it down and rebuilt it here for our kids?”
