Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
When I realize what I’m seeing, my heart drops clear down to my ankles, then shoots straight back up into my mouth. Somehow, I know it’s a vision that will stay with me until I take my last breath.
It’s Evie on the bike, riding toward my house, Sonny in the baby seat on the back.
My feet are rooted to the ground even though my brain is telling me to go meet her halfway. Or at the very least, meet her in front of the house. Don’t be caught standing there staring like a zombie. I don’t manage to propel myself into action until she’s about fifty yards from the porch, making it to the bottom step as she glides to a stop, her red hair tumbling around behind her in the breeze while Sonny grabs for it with puny fingers.
It takes me a moment to speak, mainly because she’s fucking breathtaking in a blue sundress, with straps that tie behind her neck, and she’s smiling at me.
“I was starting to think you’d never come,” I manage.
Her smile dims and we look at each other for several quiet seconds, nothing but the breeze and Sonny’s gurgles to fill the silence, and I swear, I can feel the years ahead locking into place, creating a life where a totally different one existed before. For both of us.
“Well, here I am,” she murmurs finally. “I made you something.”
“Did you?”
She nods, twisting the handlebars in her grip. “It was impulsive. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but . . .” She exhales on a laugh. “Maybe I should wait to give it to you—”
“No, please. I’d like to see it. Whatever it is.”
With a swallow, she reaches into the woven basket on the front of the bike and takes out a folded length of material. Navy blue. I take it from her, turn it over in my hands, but I can’t tell exactly what it is until I let it unravel.
It’s a baby sling. A king-size one that will fit me.
Unexpected heat presses in behind my eyes, fast and furious, my heart beating loudly in my ears. It’s the most incredible gift she could have given me, because it’s a symbol of her trust. Trust I’m sure wasn’t easy to give.
Unable to speak, I put on the sling and go around to the baby seat and unstrap Sonny, then tuck him carefully into the swatch of material, until I’m satisfied that he’s nestled safely against my chest. When I finally feel like I’m not going to be swept off in a tide of emotion, I kiss my woman while her son squirms between us. If I have my way, it’ll be the first of ten million kisses. More.
“You’re both welcome here as often as you want, Evie,” I say against her mouth, voice gruff, my heart telling me not to hold back even after all the self-doubt I’ve been living with for a week. “You’re welcome forever, if you want it.”
She searches my eyes. “Forever sounded less and less scary every day I spent away from you.”
A knot ties itself tight in my throat. “You let me know when it’s no longer scary at all, Evie Crowe.”
“I will, Luke Ward.”
We hold hands on our way into the house. I’m pretty sure I don’t let go for hours.
Epilogue
Evie
Seven years later
My husband and son are silhouettes in the golden sunset, their voices carrying through the late-afternoon haze to reach me on the porch. Luke is explaining the stages of harvest to Sonny, his hand resting on the top of his head, Sonny leaned against Luke’s hip, wearing an identical hat. The sight of them together always makes me wish I was a painter so I could capture their bond on a canvas, but today it’s enough to know I sewed the clothes they’re wearing by hand.
Using my big toe, I gently rock the porch swing, my fingers sifting through the hair of my daughter, who dozes with her head in my lap. June will start prekindergarten soon, and I’m going to miss her running barefoot around the farm all day, but I’m also ready to devote more time to the shop. Five years ago, Luke purchased the thrift shop as a wedding gift for me, and now, more than half the clothes we offer are my upcycled designs. Soon, the whole store will be original pieces with my name stitched on the inner collar. And with the addition of my new online presence, I’m hoping to create even more demand.
Not unlike most days, I marvel over how a decision centered around an ant statue has led me here. To this beloved time and place, this . . . man. My man.
As though I’ve called to him out loud, Luke glances back at me over his shoulder. The sun prevents me from seeing his eyes, but I know they soften. I know they brim with love, seeing me here with our daughter’s head in my lap. I know everything about Luke and he knows everything about me. We’re lovers, partners, and best friends.