Turning in her arms, I leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. “You’re more than welcome to spread my scent all over you, anytime you like.”
She smiled up at me. “Let me help you clean. When is everyone coming over?”
“In a little under two hours.”
“Let me take care of this—you go do what you need to do.”
I watched as Abby moved around the kitchen like she’d never left. “Are you sure?”
She nodded and shooed me away with her hand. “I’m sure. Go do your thing, I’ve got this.”
Kissing her once more, I started to turn, but then stopped and faced her. “You’re staying, right? I mean, you’re not leaving, are you?”
Her eyes looked misty for a moment before she gave me a sweet smile. “I’m staying. I was thinking maybe I should go home and grab some things, so I could stay the night. Then we can talk more about me potentially moving back in? If that’s what you really want.”
It only took me two steps to reach her, pull her into my arms, and kiss her again. Then another two seconds to start undoing her pants.
Giggling, she asked, “Bishop, what are you doing?”
I snuck my hand into her jeans, and she gasped when I slipped one finger inside of her. I placed my mouth next to her ear and whispered, “I’m going to make love to my wife in our kitchen.”
Two hours later, the fire was going in the pit down by the barn, and our guests were set to show up at any moment. After making love to Abby on our kitchen floor earlier, we’d both gotten to work. She’d cleaned up the inside of the house in record time and had come out to help me set up everything for the night. We had stuff for s’mores, hot dogs, and hot apple cider, as well as hot chocolate.
Abby walked up and handed me a beer before she sat down on one of the chairs around the firepit. “I called my folks.”
I lifted the beer to my mouth and took a drink. “And?”
“I told them we’d been talking and working through things…and that I was going to move back in with you.”
I lifted a brow. “What did your dad say?”
A wide smile appeared on her face. “His exact words were, ‘It’s about damn time.’”
Laughing, I shook my head. “That’s pretty much what my folks said too. I told them you’ve been here all day.”
She chewed on her lip nervously.
“Hey,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “They love you, Abby. I filled them in a bit and told them we’re going to counseling together. My mom just wants to see you and hug you the moment they get back.”
Abby wiped a tear from her cheek.
Standing, I tugged on her hand. “Come here.”
She stood, and I leaned down to kiss her before I sat again and brought her down with me. She threw her legs over the arm of the chair and snuggled into my chest as we both took in the moment. The fire popping was one of my favorite sounds. Past the firepit was an endless view of frasiers, spruce, pines, and balsams. All covered with a light dusting of snow.
“I’d forgotten how beautiful it is here in the winter,” Abby said softly. “It’s stunning.”
“It is,” I replied. “And today it feels like heaven.”
Tilting her head up to look at me, she smiled. “So, are we dating?”
My head fell back, and I let out a roar of laughter. “I mean, technically, we’re not married anymore, so I guess that means we are dating.”
Abby chuckled, then looked out over the mountainside. “This is the first time in two years that I’ve felt hopeful, and I have a sense of peace inside of me.”
I held onto her a bit tighter. “Abby, I want to ask you something.”
Her body went rigid for a moment. “Okay.”
“Look at me, Abs.”
She turned her head and met my gaze.
“Do you forgive me?”
Her eyes went wide with shock. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m the one who needs forgiveness, Bishop.”
“And you have it. I gave it to you freely back in the greenhouse.”
She cupped the side of my face, and I leaned into her hand. “Bishop, you haven’t done anything that needs forgiveness.”
“But I have, Abs. I thought we were over for good, and I—”
She pressed her finger to my mouth. “Stop. It’s my turn to ask you a question.”
All I could do was give her one nod.
“Bishop Harris, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband again?”
A rush of warmth ran through my entire body as my heart began to pound.
“I don’t want to date. I want to live my life with you. To be your wife, help you on the farm, wake up in your arms, and fall asleep on your chest. I want to…” Her voice cracked, and she sniffled before she went on. “I want to tell you every single day that I love you and only you. And more than anything, my dream is to have a family with you. I’m sorry it took me so long to see that the love we share will help us overcome anything together.”