He nodded and pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “If you want a fire, I’ll build you a fire.”
I nodded my head. “I want a fire.”
“Then, a fire you will get.”
He grabbed my hand and walked us back into the bedroom. I stopped at the end of the bed and watched as he got our suitcases and took them to the door.
I reached over and pinched my arm. Nope…I’m not dreaming.
He turned, looked at me, and smiled.
“Do you know how long I’ve loved you?” I asked.
He walked up to me. “For the same amount of time I’ve loved you.”
I laughed. “How do you know that?”
“Because the first time I ever saw you…I knew I was going to love you for the rest of my life.”
I let out a small laugh and nodded my head. Yep. That was the same thing for me. I knew the moment I first saw him, I would love him forever.
He held out his hand, and I placed my hand in his.
“Mrs. Reynolds, are you ready to spend the rest of your life with me?”
I put my finger up to my chin, looking like I was contemplating his question. I took a deep breath and let it out. “I don’t know, Mr. Reynolds. Do you promise to always love Lauren and me? Oh! And always make me my favorite meal?”
He laughed. “Fettuccine alfredo?”
I nodded my head. “Yep. If you promise to always love both Lauren and me, make me your fettuccine at least twice a month, and tie me up at least once a week, then you’ve got yourself a deal.”
He slowly shook his head. “I think we’re going to get a late start to the coast.”
“Why?” I purposely licked my lips…very slowly.
“Because I’m tying your ass up again.”
I pulled my T-shirt up and over my head and began to take my jeans off as I watched him strip out of his clothes.
“I think this arrangement is going to work out just fine,” I said.
I giggled as he pushed me down on the bed and began tickling me.
“So do I,” he said. He kissed me and then pulled away quickly as he looked deep into my eyes and repeated, “So. Do. I.”
Ten Years Later
I watched as Alex, Grace, Libby, and Lauren went running by.
“Where are you girls running to?” Ellie called out.
Alex stopped, turned around, and screamed, “Mom! Luke and Will have lizards, and they’re trying to put them down our shirts!” She quickly turned and took off running again.
Heather laughed and shrugged her shoulders. Josh and Heather had sold their house in Fredericksburg and built a house on fifty acres just down
the road from Gunner’s and Jeff’s ranches.
“Hey, don’t look at me. Your child is the oldest, Ari, and according to Will, Luke comes up with all their plans,” Heather said as she looked at Ari, who was flipping hamburgers on the grill.