Page 99 of Free to Live

And I burst out laughing because I know this is what my future holds: family and laughter and love.

As I seek out Holly—who’s still sitting next to Corinna, but now with Grace curled up on her lap—I realize there’s going to be a whole lot of love.

I can hardly wait.

55

Holly

When Joe suggested we get away for the weekend, I thought it would be next to impossible. July is our busiest time of the year, and he’s been pulling a couple of additional shifts at the station. But somehow, we managed to snag three nights and two days to get away about a week after our family barbecue.

A crazy quirk had me shooting a wedding an hour away from our destination of Westerly, Rhode Island — where Brett’s parent’s keep a summer rental cottage they’re lending to us. Joe offered to head up early to lay in our supplies to give us more time before I got there so I could just drive in and we could permanently lock ourselves in for days once the wedding was over. While it kinda sucked we’d have two cars to bring back to Collyer, I was entirely on board with more together time while we were there.

My first impression of the house when I pull up just before sunset on Friday is that it’s charming. Set in a small valley, the white Cape Cod is at the bottom of a long gravel driveway. I can make out an above-ground pool just off to the left. There’s a small covered doorway with huge windows on either side. “I wonder what the back looks like,” I muse aloud as I slide out of the car. Out of habit, I grab my camera backpack and head to the front door.

By the time I make it there, Joe’s already leaning against the jamb. “What do you think?”

“It’s great,” I tell him honestly.

“Brett and his dad put in a lot of work over the years. Here, give me that.” He takes my camera bag from me before leaning in to give me a lingering kiss. Soon, I’ve forgotten about the house, Brett, my bag, and the entire world with the fire generated between us. “How was the wedding?”

My mind is still fuzzy from his kiss. “Hmm?”

He grins.

“Oh! The wedding was fine. I’ll show you pictures while we eat.”

“Let me give you a quick tour and then you can get changed while I cook.”

Lifting myself up on the balls of my feet, I press my lips against his before I move away. “Best offer I’ve had all day.”

I swear I think I hear him mutter, “I hope not.”

* * *

Hourslater after Joe managed almost to burn the siding off Brett’s family cottage because he had the grill too close to the house and he had to call profusely apologizing while I laughed like a hyena in the background, we’re sitting in the hot tub with glasses of prosecco. Joe simply smirked when I told him I didn’t pack a suit.

Which is how I ended up naked on my boyfriend’s lap sipping the bubbly wine.

I lean forward to put my glass down on the edge of the tub near the towels when Joe shifts. I smile at him before saying honestly, “This is a perfect night,” over the frothing bubbles of the tub.

He reaches over and kills the pump. I frown, confused. “Are we getting out?”

“Not just yet.” Adjusting me so I’m straddling his lap, he pulls my hips against his.

I arch a brow at him, and he flashes me a grin showing off both dimples I love so much.

“We’re not doing that either.”

“No?” I rock my lower body into his. Joe growls before capturing my lips in a passionate kiss.

“I want to talk with you about something.” Something in his voice alerts me to the importance of what we’re about to discuss. My heart begins beating hard, something Joe’s got to feel as my breasts are pressed up against his chest.

“Okay,” I whisper.

He pulls my hand from around his neck and kisses it while holding my gaze.

“The moment I saw you, my life began to change. Something in you called to me.” Lifting my hand to his lips, he kisses it. “It was something deeper than how beautiful you are; it was that core of your soul that you reserve for those lucky few you allow inside. It pulled me from the abyss I was stranded in, and soon I was living in a world I never saw before.”