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She covered her mouth as she giggled. “I’m imagining a little goat running up on you before school.”
“You’re not too far off.” The metal arch leading to my family’s farm appeared on the side of the road, and I pointed it out. “That’s us.”
I slowed and watched her smile as she read the letters.
Griffen Farms
Then she gazed at the white farmhouse farther down the road. “Tyler, it’s beautiful! Like something out of a picture book.”
I followed her gaze, trying to see it with new eyes. This place had always been home, but it certainly was beautiful. Mom and Dad lived in a two-story white farmhouse with red shutters and a wraparound porch Mom kept decorated with hanging planters full of flowers and spider plants. The grassy yard spilled into a buffalo grass prairie, and just beyond the house, you could spot the red barn and the horse pen.
“It was fun to grow up here,” I said. “Like the whole world was my backyard.”
She gazed out the window toward the black and red cattle dotting the hillside. One of my favorite views. With the windows down, you could hear the occasional moo. That, mixed with the breeze rustling the grass, was one of my favorite sounds.
We parked in the gravel drive alongside the house where Rhett and Liv’s cars were already parked.
“Do we need to get our bags?” Hen asked.
“I can grab them later.” I smiled over at her and said, “I can’t wait for you to meet them. They’re going to love you.”
“As long as you love me,” she said.
I gave her a quick kiss to let her know that hadn’t changed and got out of the truck to open her door. As we walked to the house, I kept my arm around her shoulders, and she hooked hers around my waist.
I was so proud to bring this woman home. Her wit, her humor, her heart... she was the complete catch.
Before we reached the door, Mom pushed it open and greeted us on the porch. “Honey!”
I let go of Hen to hug my mom, then stepped back, my arm around my mom’s shoulders, and said, “This is her.”
Mom covered her mouth with her hands. “Henrietta, you’re just as beautiful as he said you were.” She extended her hand to shake Henrietta’s. “My name’s Deidre. It’s so nice to meet you.”
Hen shook my mom’s hand. “You can call me Hen.”
“Love it,” Mom said, holding on to Henrietta’s hand. “Come meet the rest of the family.”
54
Henrietta
Confession: I love a family man.
Deidre hadher hand linked with mine as she led me into their home. It was beautiful, with what looked like original hardwood floors, big picture windows with a view of the prairie, and the people inside were just as good-looking.
The one woman in the room close to my age was beautiful with curvy hips and a sweet, heart-shaped face. She had long, brown hair with natural curl, and her eyes were the same shade of green as Tyler’s. I liked her instantly.
She said, “I’m Tyler’s sister, Olivia, but everyone calls me Liv.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, shaking her hand.
A guy who stood a couple inches taller than Tyler’s six-foot height stepped forward, laying hazel eyes with thick brown lashes on me. “I’m Rhett, the good-looking one.”
Tyler snorted behind me. “More like the cocky one.”
“That too,” Rhett said, extending his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Hen.”
I shook his rough hand and smiled at him. “Same here.”