Page 101

As I drive, Seattle's dense urban landscape gradually gives way to more spacious properties. The GPS directs me to turn onto a narrower two-lane road, then another. Houses become more spaced apart, with lots of land between them. This doesn't make sense. We've been looking in neighborhoods with good schools and reasonable commutes to both our workplaces. Where is Charlie taking me?

"In 500 feet, your destination is on the right," my GPS announces.

I slow down, peering through my windshield for house numbers. Then I see it—a break in the trees, a white wooden fence stretching along the roadside, and an elegant wooden sign with tasteful gold lettering that I can't quite make out. I turn into a long gravel driveway that curves through immaculately maintained grounds.

As the driveway straightens, a sprawling farmhouse-style home comes into view. My mouth goes dry. The house is stunning—two stories of white clapboard with black shutters and a wide, wraparound porch. Mature trees dot the expansivefront lawn, and I can see what looks like an apple orchard to one side.

But what stops my heart is what lies beyond the house—a large paddock with white fencing, and inside it, three horses grazing peacefully in the afternoon sun.

I park beside Charlie's car, my hands trembling slightly as I turn off the truck’s engine. What is this place? Why has he brought me here?

I step out of my truck just as Charlie emerges from the front door, a huge smile on his face. He's wearing dress slacks and a blue button-down shirt that matches his eyes.

"You found it," he calls, jogging down the porch steps toward me.

"Charlie, what are we doing here?" I ask, unable to take my eyes off the horses in the distance. "This place is..." I trail off, not even knowing how to finish the sentence.

He reaches me and takes me in his arms. "I wanted to surprise you. Let's look inside first, then we can talk."

He leads me up the porch steps and through the front door into a spacious entryway with gleaming hardwood floors. Light pours in from windows on all sides, and I can see straight through to a back deck overlooking more of the property.

"The main floor has two bedrooms," Charlie explains, guiding me from room to room. "Owner’s suite here, with a view of the pastures. The nursery could be here, adjacent to our room. Home office for when you need to practice or when I need to work from home."

Each room is more perfect than the last—high ceilings, beautiful craftsmanship, windows that catch what’s left of the afternoon light. The kitchen takes my breath away: a huge island, top-of-the-line appliances, gorgeous granite and a breakfast nook surrounded by windows that overlook a lush rose garden.

"There's more upstairs—guest rooms, a bonus space that would make a great playroom," Charlie continues. "And the basement is finished—media room, wine cellar, storage."

I follow him in silent amazement, trying to process what I'm seeing. This isn't just another showing—this house is perfect. It's everything we've discussed wanting, and a lot more.

"Charlie," I finally manage when we step onto the back deck. "This place is incredible, and...is that...?" I point to a red barn visible about a hundred yards from the house.

His smile widens. "Four stalls, tack room, wash stall, hay storage. And those five acres beyond the paddock? All part of the property."

"But I don't understand. We've been looking at houses in neighborhoods close to the city. This is..." I gesture helplessly at the expansive property stretching before us.

Charlie takes my hands again, his eyes serious now. "The commute is actually not bad—twenty-five minutes to your symphony hall, thirty to my office. There's a great preschool just ten minutes away. But most importantly," he pauses, squeezing my hands, "this place has everything we need for our whole family. Including Oliver."

The implication hits me all at once. "You mean?—"

"He could live here. With us. When you’re ready to bring him back from Madison Hayes’s place, of course. There's enough space for him and maybe a couple of ponies for the kids eventually if you want. You could ride whenever you're able to, right on your own property."

I stare at him, speechless. Oliver has been going so well for Madison—I’ve been out once a week or so to watch her ride him. Having him here when I’m ready is a dream come true. I really can’t believe how perfect it all sounds.

Tears spring to my eyes before I can stop them. Charlie wraps his big arms around me and leans down to kiss me. One of the twins kicks right at that moment and we both start laughing.

"The current owners are moving to Florida next month," Charlie continues excitedly. "They've taken amazing care of the place. The barn is practically new. There's even a bunch of jumps in one of the extra stalls."

"Charlie," I whisper, my voice cracking. "I can't believe this place."

He pulls me close, his arms encircling me and my growing baby bump. "Do you like it? I know it's further out than we planned, but?—"

"It's perfect," I interrupt, tears flowing freely now. "It's absolutely perfect."

His eyes search mine, hopeful yet uncertain. "Really? Because we can keep looking if?—"

I silence him with another kiss, pouring all my emotions into it. When we finally break apart, both breathless, I rest my forehead against his.

"I love you," he says softly. "So much. I want to give you—give us—a home where everyone belongs. Where we can build a life together."