Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
“Well, considering she proposed to me earlier, and I said yes, I’m pretty confident it’ll happen.”
A wide smile erupted on Aiden’s face. He glanced over at Abby, who was laughing at something Greer had said to her. Turning back to me, he said, “You both look happy. I’m glad—you two were always meant to be together.”
I nodded. “I am happy, and I agree. We’ll probably make it official once everyone settles down around the firepit.” I cleared my throat. “You’re going to cut down a tree, right?”
He laughed. “Hell yeah. Ben is looking forward to it. I love that you still do this for family and friends, Bishop. It’s a nice tradition.”
“Speaking of, we better get everyone out there so you guys can pick out your trees and get them secured to take home before we lose daylight.”
I stood on a chair and whistled, drawing everyone’s attention to me.
“I wanted to first say thank you, friends and family, for coming out again this year and spending your Thanksgiving afternoon and evening with me and Abby.”
Cheers rang out among everyone. I peeked over to see that Abby’s cheeks were red.
I held up my hands to quiet everyone down. “We’re going to be heading out on the tractor and trailer, so everyone can pick out a tree. Afterward, we’ll head back up to the firepit for s’mores, hot dogs, hot apple cider, and hot chocolate. I think everyone knows the drill by now, but any questions?”
Bryce called out, “The only question I’ve got is: are you two finally back together?”
More cheers and whistles rang through the small group. I looked down to see that Abby had walked over to me. I reached out a hand. She looked at it, then at me.
“Give me your hand, Abs.”
She smiled and set her hand in mine, allowing me to pull her up onto the chair.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
I pulled her close and kissed her.
Abby wrapped her arms around my neck and deepened the kiss. The noise around us slowly disappeared as we both got lost in the moment. It was Abby who finally broke away first.
Turning to look back at Bryce, I yelled out, “Does that answer your question?”
He let out a roar of laughter. “It sure as hell does!”
“You’re crazy,” Abby said with a laugh. God, how I loved that laugh of hers. I’d missed it a lot more than I’d realized.
We jumped down, and I put my arm around her waist. “For you, I am.”
“Shall we?” she asked, motioning for me to lead the way.
“Let’s go.” Together, we walked over to the tractor. Abby started to climb up, but I pulled her back down. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Driving the tractor.”
With a disbelieving chuckle, I shook my head. “You’re not driving the tractor.”
She pouted. “Why not?”
“One, it’s been at least two years since you’ve driven it. And two, you can sit on my lap while I drive it.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “I think I’ll sit in the trailer and help Bryce pass out hot chocolate.”
I winked. “Next year, I’ll let you drive the tractor.”
Abby
To say I’d been floating on cloud nine all evening would be an understatement. After everyone picked out their trees, baled them, and loaded them up, we all sat around the firepit and drank cider and hot chocolate. A few folks enjoyed a beer or two, and nearly everyone roasted marshmallows for s’mores.
It was wonderful to be able to catch up with everyone as we laughed and talked about anything and everything. I’d been nervous about how some people would feel about me being there. Especially on a night when it was all our good friends and family, and I knew I’d hurt most of them by leaving. But, like Bishop, everyone made me feel so welcomed and loved. My cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling so much.
His eyes met mine, and I grinned like a little schoolgirl talking to her first crush. It had been happening all night. I would feel Bishop’s eyes on me, and when I searched for him, our eyes would meet. My stomach would drop or my chest would flutter. It used to happen like that before I left too. I had always been so aware of Bishop’s presence. It was almost like we breathed as one. And for that to have simply picked up again, like no time had passed, was amazing. A testament to our love.
“If you keep staring at him like that, everyone’s going to know what you’re thinking.”
My face grew hot as I looked up at Arabella. She sat down, and we wrapped our arms together. She lay her head on my shoulder and sighed. “I’m so happy for you, Abby. I know how much you love Bishop.”
I tilted my head so it rested on hers. “Just like I know how much you love Hunter.”