Prologue
Warren
NINE YEARS AGO
“I can’t believe you talked me into this.” Maisie laughs, treading water and glancing around to make sure no one’s around. The sun’s about to set so most of the guests from the resort are at the restaurant for dinner or they’re in for the night.
Wrapping an arm around her bare waist, I pull her closer into my chest. She wraps her limbs around me, and I hold her up in the river with my body.
“Skinny dippin’ is a right of passage,” I tease, cupping her ass cheek and squeezing.
“Yeah, right. You find any excuse to get me naked.” She tightens her grip, causing her abdomen to rub against my cock that’s half hard between our bodies.
When she rocks against me, I groan and she chuckles at my discomfort.
“You’re gonna pay for that,” I warn, reaching up to pinch her nipple.
She yelps then splashes water on my face, distracting me long enough to get away. I swim after her, easily catching up, and then dive under the water to yank her ankle.
“Warren!” Her scream is muffled when I bring her down with me.
We aren’t submerged for long before I release her and meet her back up above the surface.
“That was mean!” She splashes me again, but her smile is wider than before.
The sounds of crashing water off the cliff echo around us as I pull her toward me. She fits against my chest in a familiar way that calms my heart.
“I’m gonna miss you so much,” I tell her softly.
She tangles her legs and arms around me, hugging me closer. “Gonna miss you more.”
“Impossible,” I breathe out, holding in my emotions the best I can.
Maisie returns to college in New York City for her third year tomorrow. She’s majoring in English and hopes to get an internship or apprenticeship before she graduates. We’ve been doing long-distance for two years, and though she comes home during the summer and holidays, it’s not enough. Not when I got used to seeing her every day since we were twelve.
“I’ll be back for Thanksgiving,” she reminds me. “And we’ll still video chat and text.”
I tip up her chin so I can see her gorgeous hazel eyes, but they look more brown than green during the golden hour. “It’s not enough. I want you here with me.”
“Only a couple more years.”
“Yeah? And then what?”
Her tongue peeks out, wetting her bottom lip, and she hoists herself up higher on my waist as I stand in shoulder-deep water.
“Then we…” She lifts a shoulder. “Start a life together.”
“Hmm…” Her words swirl in my head. “Why wait another two years to do that?”
“Whaddya mean?”
“We should get married.”
“After graduation?”
“No.” I tighten my grip on her. “Next summer.”
The area around her eyes crease when she flashes a white toothy grin. “Are you proposin’?”
“Would you say yes if I were?” I drawl, unable to contain my own smile.
“Maybe you oughta ask and find out…” Her calm, taunting tone sends my heart into overdrive because we’ve talked about our future plenty of times but discussed getting married after she moved home permanently.
I walk us slowly through the water to keep warm, but I don’t release my hold on her when I brush my thumb over her cheek and cup her face. “Maisie Callaway, will you be my wife?”
“Hmm…” She twists her lips, her brows furrowing as she contemplates her answer. “You really wanna marry me?”
“Been wantin’ to since I was fifteen, darlin’.”
“That’s when we started datin’.”
“Exactly.”
She beams, unable to hide her excitement although she’s trying to act unaffected.
“Gimme one good reason why I should,” she says in a playful tone that means she’s not going to make this easy for me.
My fingers flex into her ass, pushing her against my cock so she can feel how much I want her.
“Besides that.” With her arms around my neck, she lifts slightly to purposely rub her stomach against my growing erection.
“‘Cause Maisie Langston sounds so fuckin’ good on you.”
“You do have a point…” Her teeth graze her bottom lip again, and I’m tempted to lean in and bite it.
“Is that a yes? You’ll take my name?”
“On one condition…” Her cheeks flush. “You build me a house like the one we discussed.”
“The two-story A-frame cabin with the large deck?”
“And a fireplace in front of the large windows, a cozy living room, big enough kitchen for us to cook together, a reading nook I can fill with my books, and a room for a nursery. Oh, and a master room big enough for a King-sized bed with an en suite that has a large tub for us to fit in it together.”
Smiling wide at her excitement, I can hardly contain my own at the thought of us living under the same roof. When we were still in high school, I told her my dream was to build a house on my family’s property when we got married and she started looking at ideas the next day. She created a whole dream board of pictures and ideas, and I loved every single one.
“I’d love nothin’ more than to build that for us, baby.”
She leans her head back toward the water, her arms stretched out while they stay wrapped around me and as her legs tighten around my waist, she laughs up at the darkening sky. It’s a beautiful sight.
“Then yes, Warren Langston…” She returns her eyes to mine, pressing against me. “I’ll be your wife.”
My hand wraps around her neck, pulling her mouth to mine, and I devour her. My tongue slips between her lips, tasting the country air and waterfall ripples, and moaning against them.
“So, next summer?” I ask between kissing down her jaw.
“What’s the hurry? Am I pregnant?”
I chuckle against her neck. “I woulda asked you years ago if I knew it wouldn’t have freaked you out. Or our parents.”
Considering we’re only twenty, they definitely would’ve freaked out.
Hell, they still might.
Her parents aren’t my biggest fan, but that’s never stopped me from showing how much I love her. Mine, on the other hand, adore her.
“Why do ya wanna marry me so badly?”
I meet her eyes and they’re filled with sincere curiosity.
“Besides how much I enjoy being with you, you’re my best friend, and the love of my life. Why wait when I already know who I’m meant to be with for the rest of my life?”
“Are you callin’ me your soul mate?” She wiggles her nose against mine, her voice softening. “‘Cause I feel the same.”
“Good, ‘cause I wanna wake up next to you every day, snuggle you in my arms as the coffee brews, and kiss your neck until the sun rises and we’re forced to get outta bed. In the evenings, we’ll dance in front of the fireplace while we wait for the oven timer to go off, then we’ll feed each other dinner and spend the rest of the night soaking in the tub washing each other.” I thumb her chin, finding her gaze. “I want forever.”
“That sounds…heavenly.” She sighs happily. “Like a dream.”
“And soon, it’ll be our reality.”
She crashes her lips to mine, sucking my bottom lip into her mouth, and pressing into me. “I can’t wait,” she whispers, resting her forehead against mine. “I woulda said yes either way. The house is a bonus.”
“I know. You can’t resist me.”
She rolls her eyes, reaching between us and grabbing my cock.
“Maze…” I warn, swallowing hard.
“You don’t wanna celebrate our engagement?” she asks in her seductive teasing tone that always makes me fold.
Fuck.
She strokes my shaft and my balls tighten.
“That’s it. Time to go.” I walk us out toward the shore and carry her to my truck where our towels and clothes are waiting. “Don’t get dressed. Just wrap a towel around you.”
“Where’re we goin’?” she asks before I sprint around to my door, buck naked.
“The Chalet.”
The Willow Chalet is only a few-minute drive. It’s a large two-story cabin with a wraparound deck and has ten bedrooms and fourteen bathrooms. We reserve it for large family gatherings, wedding receptions, or high-profile guests.
And the best part, the showers are always stocked.
“It’s not reserved?” she asks.
“Not until Friday.”
Which means, we can easily sneak in without anyone finding out.
We usually hook up in my truck or I sneak her into my bedroom, but this way we can shower together without the fear of anyone overhearing or interrupting.
Once I park, I grab our clothes and lead her through the back entrance that’s usually left open for the staff.
“We’re gonna get caught!” she whisper-hisses when I flick on a light.
“By who?”
“I-I dunno. Your parents? Or siblings?”
Considering I’m the oldest of five kids, I doubt it. They’re probably at home getting ready for bed since it’s a weekday.
“Stop worryin, sweetheart. We’re celebratin’, remember? Plus, doesn’t the thrill make it that much hotter?” I smirk over my shoulder before pulling her into one of the bathrooms.
It’s spotless as usual with fluffy towels and robes folded for the guests. Since I work on the ranch side, I’ll tell Posey, my eighteen-year-old sister, who works part-time on the resort side, to make sure the bathroom gets re-cleaned.
She owes me a favor anyway after I caught her sneaking a boy out of her room at three in the morning on a school night. She claims they fell asleep, but I’ve used that excuse too many times to count. If our parents had caught her, she’d still be grounded.
Turning on the hot water, I nod at Maisie. “Lose the towel, baby.”
When we step in, the stream falls over us under the rainfall showerhead. We wash one another from head to toe, slowly massaging shampoo in each other’s hair, and rinsing off. Neither of us can stop smiling at our secret engagement and sneaking in here, but it’s equally exciting and romantic to get this time with her before she leaves.
“What size ring are you?”
“Six, I think.”
“I’m gonna get you the biggest and most beautiful ring I can afford.”
“You don’t have to spend a fortune. I’ll be happy with anythin’ you pick out.”
“There ain’t no way your parents are gonna be happy with something small.”
“Who cares what they think?”
“Uh…me. They’re already gonna be pissed I didn’t ask for their blessin’ first.”
“That’s an outdated tradition. They’ll be happy as long as I am.”
The expression on my face causes her to roll her eyes in disagreement. As much as I love her, she’s blind to the way her parents look at me. Her father owns an investment firm where he grows and flips Southern businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and more. Her mother is from old money, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why they got married in the first place. Rich families wanting to stay rich and all that. They’re well-known and prestigious around here, but they’ve always given me the impression they don’t want their only daughter marrying a rancher.
It’s why I’m certain they encouraged Maisie to go to college seven hundred miles away.
I never had plans for college because working on my family’s horse ranch and resort is all I’ve ever wanted to do. Although we have a full staff for the ranch and resort, I’m certain my siblings will follow suit and stay here too. I love it here, even if it’s hard work, it’s the only kind I know.
And I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Although my parents are respected by the community for their successful luxury camping resort, they’re not valued in the same light. We stay booked and busy year-round, minus a couple winter months over the holidays where it slows down, but they do well for themselves. Most of my checks go into my savings since I still live at home, so if I have to prove I’m worthy of marrying their daughter, I will by making sure she has the ring she deserves.
I already know her mother will want full control of the wedding planning.
Assuming they don’t ship Maisie overseas or some shit to get her away from me.
“Either way, when you come back for Thanksgiving, I’m gettin’ down on one knee and proposin’ with a ring.”
She wraps her arms around my waist, peering up at me. “I don’t think you’re supposed to tell me ahead of time.”
“We’re already engaged, this’ll be the formal engagement, where I propose with clothes on.”
Laughter echoes through the shower as her shoulders shake. “I much prefer you being naked.”
I kiss the tip of her nose, sliding my palm down to smack her ass. “Good, ‘cause I’m about to fuck you against the wall until you lose your voice from screamin’ my name.”
“Warren!” she squeals.
“That’s the one.” I wink. “You agreein’ to be my wife unleashed a new side to me, baby. And if this is the last night I get with you for three months, we’re makin’ it a memorable one.”
“We don’t have condoms.”
Although we don’t always use them and she’s on birth control, we’ve been extra careful since she’s in school, but I can’t help the smile that takes over my face at the thought of her pregnant with my baby.
“Not-uh.” She shakes her head at my devious grin, pointing a warning finger toward me. “No knockin’ me up before we get married. Or before I graduate.”
I chuckle, grabbing her wrist and re-positioning her until her back presses against my chest. Then I plant her palms on the wall furthest from the showerhead.
“I’ll pull out and paint your ass with my cum. How’s that?”
“Fuck,” she groans, arching her back until my cock slides between her crack.
“Spread your legs for me, Maze,” I demand in her ear and she does until her feet are next to mine. “And keep your palms there until I say otherwise. Don’t wanna have to explain a sex injury to our parents.”
She looks over her shoulder, meeting my gaze with her lust-filled ones. “Then don’t let me fall.”
“Never.” Squeezing her hip, I press my lips to hers, grab my shaft with my other hand and give it a few strokes. Sliding my cock between her legs, I find her opening and slowly push inside.
“Jesus, you feel so good,” I murmur, not even halfway in. Her breath hitches and when she relaxes, I slide the rest of the way. “Doing okay?”
“Mm-hmm.” Her head falls against my chest and she bites her lip. “You can move now.”
Pulling out to the tip, I thrust back inside her tight cunt, and groan at how hard she squeezes me.
Heavy breathing, the water hitting my back, and her little gasps echo around us as our bodies slap together in perfect harmony.
“Oh my God, you’re so deep,” she blurts around a long moan.
“Hang on, my love.”
Releasing my grip on her waist, one hand slides between her legs to find her clit while the other slides around her throat. My fingers squeeze the sides of her neck the way she loves and she nearly loses her balance when waves of heat burst through her.
“That’s my good girl. Come on my cock.”
She gasps when I slap her greedy clit. “I’m close…”
“So fuckin’ beautiful when you’re flushed with need. My future wife.”
My cock drives into her, over and over, until I slam into her G-spot.
“Oh God, Warren. Yes, right there. Don’t stop.” Her shallow pants cause her breasts to rise and fall. I’m tempted to pinch her nipples, but she’s so close, I don’t want to make her lose focus.
“Jesus Christ, you’re takin’ me so good.”
I’ve always been vocal during sex, but the more I talk, the harder and faster she orgasms. And any chance to do that, I take it. Hearing and watching her respond to me is enough to make me explode.
I can’t hold back the growl that rips through me when her pussy pulsates and she screams through her release. She shakes against me, her neck fully exposed as her head falls back and she meets my gaze.
Her pupils are blown out with pleasure, and I love that I’m the one who caused it.
“I changed my mind, baby. Get on your knees.”
As soon as I release my hold on her, she turns and obliges. I pump my shaft as tingles shoot down my spine and settle in my balls.
“Open up, Maze.” She stares at me and draws out her tongue. “So goddamn gorgeous.”
I barely get the words out before my release takes over and ropes of cum shoot across her face, incidentally, missing her mouth.
She wipes her fingers over her cheek and slides it between her lips, sucking it right off.
“Fuckin’ hell,” I growl at the sight of her licking my cum. “That’s hot.”
“Your aim sucks.”
I bark out a laugh, helping her up. Then I clean her face with some water and crash my mouth to hers. “But I hear it’s a great skin serum.”
She makes a gagging noise. “Never say that again.”
“I dunno, might have to include it in the welcome baskets for the guests. Special skin treatment. Locally harvested.”
“And I change my mind about marryin’ you.”
“Take it back!” I lift her up, nuzzling my face in her neck and tickling her side with one hand.
“Warren!” she squeals, her limbs clinging around my body. “Don’t drop me!”
“Then say what I wanna hear,” I prompt, poking her other side. “Say you’re gonna marry me.”
“No, you weird cum freak!” She giggles out the words as she tries to smack my hand away.
I tickle harder, and when she manages to get back on her feet, I don’t let her go.
“Stop, you’re gonna make me pee!” Maisie laughs as she tries to escape.
“Didn’t know you were into that, but I’ll try anythin’ once.”
“Warren!” She continues wiggling, and I release her so she doesn’t fall. But then she drops to the ground as if that’ll stop me from getting what I want.
I tower over her as she faces me, the water turning cold as it hits my back, but I don’t care.
“Fine, fine! I take it back,” she relents when she can no longer take it.
“Take what back?” I grab underneath her knees, finding a tickle spot there too.
She tries kicking me away. “What I said!”
“Say it.” I cup her chin, holding her gaze.
She wrinkles her nose that she lost this round. “I’ll marry you.”
I soften my touch to give her a moment to breathe, but we’re both laughing frantically at our positions. Me straddling her waist and trapping her with my thighs. Considering I’m a good seven inches taller and weigh more than her, she ain’t going anywhere without me getting up.
Sometimes I let her win by pretending I’m too weak to fight back or too slow to chase her, but this isn’t one of those times. Especially since I let her win the last tickle fight and she nearly had me crying with how much she had me laughing.
“You’re gonna take my name?” I grab her wrists, holding them above her head. “And live in our dream house together?”
“Yes! Maisie Gracelyn Langston. Your wife.” She grins wider and her cheeks heat. “That sounds good, doesn’t it?”
My smile reaches my temples, and I lean down to kiss her. “Fuckin’ perfect.”
Chapter 1
Warren
PRESENT DAY
“Kick me one more time, you little shit…”
Shaking my head, I stifle a laugh and walk toward my brother Bodie, who looks ready for a fight. His brows are drawn and sweat lines his forehead as he tries to lift her hind leg. Each time he attempts to pull her hoof between his thighs, she whinnies and jerks out of his grip.
“I dunno if I’m rootin’ for you or Lilith.” I stand next to the quarter horse who’s giving him hell and pat her back.
Bodie glances at me, his lips in a hard line. “No wonder she’s named after an evil demon. She nailed me in the balls twice already.”
This time I do laugh. “Yikes. Hope you didn’t wanna have kids.”
He’s been learning how to become a farrier so he can do our horses when our current one retires. He’s only been practicing for six months, so he needs a bit more experience before he’ll be ready to take over the job. Considering he’s eight years younger than me and only twenty-one, he’s got time to figure it out.
“At this rate, I’m gonna be down a testicle.”
I snort, taking pity on him. “Want some help?”
“Gee, ya think?”
“Damn, settle down. No wonder you’re makin’ Lilith anxious as hell. She can sense your nerves.”
Sliding my palm down her rear and leg, I motion for him to move.
“Nice and easy,” I say calmly. Once I’m in position, I pull her hoof into the farrier stand and when she doesn’t move, I pat her again. “That’s my good girl.”
“Well, shit. Didn’t know I was supposed to talk dirty to get her cooperation.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and huffs at how easy I made it look.
I lift a shoulder, crossing my arms. “It’s what every woman wants to hear.”
“Pfft. How would you know?”
Rolling my eyes, I don’t bother engaging. It’s not the first time he’s given me shit for staying single for seven years and it won’t be the last. I may not be with Maisie anymore, but she’s still my damn wife. I’m nothing if not loyal and faithful to the vows we said to each other eight years ago.
Even if she’s not.
“Get outta the kick zone and stop being squirmy, then she’ll do exactly what you want,” I tell him, handing him the rasp.
“Another woman tip?” he mocks.
“Yeah, consider it a freebie,” I deadpan, leaving the grooming stall and heading toward my office at the back of the barn.
It’s been a long week, and I’m ready to wrap it up. One more day and then I can take it easy for the weekend. Not that there isn’t work to be done, but we save the hard shit for the weekdays when we have more workers. As the Ranch Operations Manager, my tasks include a lot more than ranch hand duties.
It comes with a bullshit amount of paperwork and emails.
Bodie’s the only other sibling who works exclusively on the ranch side with me. Posey manages the goat farm and the family soap company, Langston Soapworks. Colton and Bellamy work on the resort side, dealing with operations and guest services.
My parents couldn’t pay me enough to deal with people every day. It’s bad enough I have to manage the employees and their half-assed excuses on why they’re late or how they forgot to request off—usually the day before they need it, too. Most of them text me instead so they don’t have to see the disappointment on my face or get told no in person.
I wasn’t always this way, but certain life experiences made me bitter and less tolerable.
Like after my wife and I did long-distance while she went to college, all for her to leave again four months later for an apprenticeship in New York.
I supported her the best I could, hoped she’d gain the experience she was after, then return and find a job here. Or hell, work remotely or start her own business.
But then—
I shake my head to get rid of the dark thoughts threatening to consume my mind. There’s no use going down that path again when I know where it always leads me—drinking until I pass out and sending her drunken voicemails she’ll never listen to.
The only response I’ll get is another certified letter with divorce papers inside.
Over my dead fucking body am I signing those.
She can face me instead of being a coward if she wants one that badly. Until then, I’ll continue writing return to sender and let her eat the cost of her lawyer’s fees.
“Hey, boss!” Nicky pops in through the doorway while I sit behind my desk and read through emails.
Hesitantly, I glance up and grimace at his too-wide grin that’s probably meant to butter me up before he tells me something I don’t want to hear.
“Whaddya want this time?” I grumble, shifting my gaze back to my screen.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds…” His eager tone tells me otherwise and he continues without waiting for me to respond. “I need a couple weeks off.”
“When?”
“Um, see…that’s the thing.” He sits in the chair across from me.
“Nicky,” I bark. “Get on with it.”
“Starting Monday.”
That’s four days from now.
“You know the rules. Thirty-day notice for anything over five days.”
“I do! And normally, I’d give proper notice, but to be fair, I didn’t know Darla thirty days ago.”
That grabs my attention. “Excuse me? Who’s Darla?”
“My fiancée! We’re getting married this weekend, and I promised her a honeymoon in Mexico. Hence…the short notice.”
My lip curls. “Hence…being denied. I’ll give you one week. That’s it.”
“But—”
“I don’t have coverage for two weeks.” He should be thankful I’m even giving him that on a four-day notice.
“What if I—”
“Nicky.” I blink away from the screen and shift my eyes to his panicked ones. “Why the hell are you marryin’ a woman you met less than a month ago?”
“She’s my dream girl.” His gaze with heart-shaped pupils stares back at me.
It makes me sick.
“It’s never gonna work out. You know that, right?”
“Yes, it will. Not everyone’s as cynical as you. When you find the one, you don’t let her get away.”
Poor sucker is living in a delulu world.
“You think a ring and a piece of paper is gonna keep her from runnin’ off with the next guy?”
Or moving to another state.
“She won’t if you let me take her to Mexico for two weeks!” He scoffs as if I’m to blame.
I roll my eyes at his dramatics. “Since I doubt you’ll leave the bedroom, tell her one week in Mexico and one week here at the resort won’t make a difference.”
“Are you serious?” His face lights up and he nearly leaps out of his seat. “You’ll let us stay there?”
“Assumin’ I can find somethin’ available, yes. But it’s comin’ out of your vacation pay and your ass will be here workin’ while she stays there. No excuses.”
It’s the middle of May, the start of our busy season, but I’m sure Colton can put them in one of the cabins or domes undergoing a remodel. As long as the bedroom and bathroom are available, they won’t need much else.
“Deal!” He jumps to his feet.
I shake my head at becoming a softie.
Twenty bucks says he sneaks off for a quickie at least once a day.
“And you’re gonna love her. She was a belly dancer at a hotel in Vegas and can spin around me in two seconds flat. She’s also very flexible…if you know what I mean.”
I wait to see if he’s fucking with me or not.
“So anytime the resort needs extra entertainment…”
“I’ll let Colt know,” I blurt, letting it become his problem since he’s the resort operations manager.
“Thanks, Warren. I owe ya!”
“Mhm,” I murmur.
Once he vacates my office, I finish my work and then check in with Bodie.
“Almost done?” I ask, noticing he’s cleaning out the grooming stall.
We muck the stalls every morning, so it’s rare he has to do it again in the evenings.
“Blythe took a shit right as I was cleaning her back hooves and got it all down my back and in my hair.”
It’s then I realize he’s shirtless.
“Well…shit.” I cough through a laugh, unable to hold back. “I mean, that sucks.”
“Yeah…it fuckin’ does. I had a date tonight, but instead, I’ll be showerin’ horseshit outta my pores for three hours.”
“I’m sure it ain’t that bad.”
“Come closer and smell for yourself,” he bites out. “Nicky nearly threw up when he came to help me and said I should soak in vinegar. Pretty sure that’ll have my date runnin’ for the hills.”
“Coulda been worse.” I shrug, walking toward the exit. “Coulda gotten it in your mouth!”
“That’s very reassurin’!” he calls out.
I walk backward as I shout, “Try baby shampoo!”
“Seriously?”
“Yep! There should be some travel bottles in the stock room.”
We store everything needed for the resort at The Branch Haven where the guests check in. The staff grab what they need and restock after check-out.
“Thanks!”
I wave, heading toward my truck.
It’s only a ten-minute drive to my house. Mostly because I have to drive slowly through the ranch and up into the mountains where I built my A-frame cabin, but the view from my deck is well worth it. Even better is the peace and quiet.
When I park and get out, I head toward my chickens. They cluck and swarm me as soon as I walk through the gate.
“I’m comin’, hold your feathers.”
I only have half a dozen of them and one rooster, but it’s more than enough for fresh eggs every day. My siblings usually sneak over and steal my extra ones like the freeloaders they are.
If they’re not taking my eggs, they’re helping themselves to my fridge and robbing my food they’re too lazy to go buy on their own.
I need to get better at locking my patio door on the lower level. They know if they can’t get through the front, the other one is probably unlocked.
“Who’s got some eggs for me?” I check their nests and find six fresh eggs.
In the mornings, I let them out so they can wander in the fenced-in area, then at night, I sprinkle out more food and refill their water before tucking them into bed.
Which is a fancy way of saying I lock them in their coop so they can sleep on their roosts or nesting areas.
There are too many curious animals that come around at night, so I keep them safe inside.
“One, two, three…” I count as they go in and realize I’m missing one. “Kelly Cluckson, time for bed. Where’re you?”
The moment I call out her name, I regret caving when Bellamy begged me to let her name a couple of them. She and Bodie are twins and the babies of the family, so they’ve grown up always getting their ways.
She finally struts in, and I close the door. “G’night, girls and Chucky.”
Charles got his nickname after he chased Bodie around the yard, then nearly pecked off his face when he tripped and face-planted on the ground.
He hasn’t tried to steal my eggs since then.
I strip out of my work clothes and get in the shower to wash off the barn smell. The hot water feels good on my achy muscles, and although it wasn’t a labor-intensive workday, they still get stiff. Constantly lifting, moving, or even sitting behind my desk with a tense posture makes me feel like I’m sixty instead of twenty-nine.
My after-work routine is simple. Put on comfy clothes, listen to music or an audiobook as I make dinner, and eat on the couch while catching up on the news. Most nights, I’m passed out before nine.
When there’s a knock at my door, I sit up and stare at it. I’m not in the mood to deal with any of my family members tonight, but considering the wall is covered in floor-to-ceiling windows and they can see inside, there’s no use pretending I’m not here.
Except when I open it, it’s the last person I expect.
My wife.
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