Page 40

Two years later

Ellie

A gentle breeze blows against my skin as I walk barefoot in the grass.

Just taking my time and enjoying the day.

The warm afternoon sun against my shoulders feels like heaven on earth.

I take in a deep breath, smelling the fresh-cut grass.

I smile as I run my fingers along the soft leaves while I walk between the rows of trees.

Tiny fruits are just starting to form, their fuzzy skin still pale and delicate.

Jaydon did this for me—this entire peach orchard, this entire life we’ve built together. I walk along the rows of trees Jaydon planted in our backyard. Right after we moved in, he planted them—all twenty-five of them.

I close my eyes, still remembering the day.

The memory of his deep chuckle rolls around my head like the sweetest memory.

He was covered in dirt and dripping in sweat as he walked up to kiss my lips.

I still remember his exact words to me that day.

“Now you can have one whenever you want, Baby.

But always remember… you're still my favorite peach.”

He wanted to give me an entire orchard since I love peaches so much, but I think it's mostly because he loves the taste of them on my lips.

I hear the sound of a motor off in the distance, and I already know who it is.

Haleigh and Ryan are coming over tonight for dinner, and I see their side-by-side come into view across the field, along with a thick cloud of dust behind them.

This is one of the perks of living in the country and living next door to each other. I love it—this life we've built.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Jaydon is already at the grill, cooking up something that smells amazing.

Ever since we moved here, he has loved hosting and feeding everyone.

I’m not much help, but I do my best to prepare everything, setting the table and preparing drinks.

Well, I try my best to help, but normally, Jaydon and Ryan handle most of the hard work.

They always tell Haleigh and me the same thing…

‘ Just go and play with Ryleigh Grace. ’ While they handle all the hard work.

Those men treat us like queens.

I see Ryleigh's bright, beautiful smile while she bounces in her momma's lap.

They roll to a stop as I wave dramatically, grinning, watching her chubby little hands as they start clapping.

I love watching her get so excited. She's the cutest little thing with her tiny brown curls bouncing up and down.

As soon as Haleigh puts her down, she takes off towards me on wobbly legs. I need my baby snuggles. I step towards her.

“There’s auntie’s sweet girl!” I bend, scoop her up, and cover her in kisses while she giggles in excitement.

“Hey, man,” Jaydon shouts over, flipping a spatula in his hand as Ryan makes his way over to the grill, carrying a tray of food.

Somehow, that’s become their thing .

Cooking on the grill together. ‘Manly things,’ as Jaydon calls them.

“Y'all need any help from us?” I ask and giggle because I already know the answer.

“No, we got it,” they both say in unison, seemingly spending too much time together.

Haleigh and I giggle. I bump her shoulder against mine. “They act like we'd burn the place down if we touched it.”

“Peachy, we both know why you aren’t allowed to cook.” Everyone laughs, including me.

I throw my hands up to the sky, faking my anger. “You catch the stove on fire one damn time, and you’re banned for life, that doesn’t seem fair,” I say, popping my brow with a sassy hand on my hip.

“Don’t worry, Baby. It’s a good thing you married a grill master. You’re gonna get some good meat tonight.”

“Jay,” Haleigh scolds his crude comment at the same time as I roll my eyes, throwing my hand to wave him off.

Then we turn, looping arms and head out further into the yard.

“Haleigh, you better stop. I have something for you, too.” Ryan calls out after us.

“Oh my gosh! Men,” I say to Haleigh, and I hear the guys laughing about something one of them said behind us in the background.

“Peachy, I heard that!” Jaydon shouts.

I grin, my gaze drifting behind me towards Jaydon. He looks up at that exact moment, holding the spatula, catching me staring. His eyes turn dark, and his lips curve into a sexy, knowing smirk.

He mouths, “ Mine,” only for my eyes to see. My cheeks heat, and my stomach flips the way it always does when he looks at me that way. He’s so possessive.

Sometimes I can't believe he’s mine.

All mine.

And I am his.

Haleigh and I follow behind Ryleigh Grace as she takes tiny steps along the grass. The thick evening air is filled with the scent of grilled food and a fresh country breeze. The sky looks like a painting with a mix of soft pinks and purples layered over blue.

I can't help but stop for a second to take it all in.

But the best view is wobbling along right in front of me, and she has the cutest pink gingham romper with lace ruffles on her bottom, accentuating her cute little diaper butt.

I can’t wait for the day when Jaydon and I have a little one of our own that I can chase around our mini orchard and yard for hours.

I bring in the last of the dishes from outside. As soon as Jaydon sees me, he comes to grab them out of my hands.

“What are you doing? I told you to stay outside and relax.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m fine, Jay.”

“I know, but please just let me do this.” He takes the last platter from my hand, “Go back outside and talk to Haleigh. I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on.” He pins me with his eyes and winks.

“You know, we always have lots to talk about.” I smile, and we both know I never miss a day of talking to his sister.

“Before you go, though, I need a taste of your lips.”

My insides turn to mush—this man never stops and always has me worked up.

I smile when he leans in, kissing me, then sucking my lips into his mouth. He moans, instantly, and pushes his dick against my stomach. I pull back, staring into his heated gaze.

“We have company,” I caution him.

“Well, tell my sister she needs to go home. I have something I need to take care of.”

I swat his chest as he chuckles. “Babe, stop it. We are not running our company away.”

“I’m kidding!” but his hand resting on my ass tightens.

I stare, raising an eyebrow, questioning his truthfulness—because I don’t think he's kidding.

“Okay, I wasn’t kidding… but just go outside and sit down. Fuck. I need a minute to myself now.”

I giggle at his discomfort and squeeze him through his jeans.

He releases a moan. “Fuck, Peachy, you’re pushing your luck.”

I giggle again, biting my lip and taking a step back, knowing I’m messing with him.

When Jaydon walks back outside to the deck with a cold beer in his hand, he sits beside me on the oversized chair and pulls me into his lap.

He leans in, whispering in my ear, “Expect punishment later for that little stunt.”

I put my finger over his lips shushing him, and he quickly sucks it into his mouth.

Oh, I’m definitely in for it later tonight.

Sitting around the fire tonight brings back so many memories, from when we partied in the field when we were in high school—the field that now belongs to Haleigh and Ryan—to the night shortly after Jaydon came home, and he carried me up to his bedroom and made all of my dirty dreams come true.

From that night on, I knew somewhere deep inside that I was absolutely crazy over this man.

It might have taken us a while to get here, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Just sitting here, surrounded by all the people in my life that matter the most—it’s the absolute best .

I miss my mom and my sister, even though we still don’t speak. She apologized for everything she’d done and admitted she was jealous of the way Jaydon looked at me and took care of me. But it still wasn’t enough for me to invite her to my wedding.

My mom was right there by my side, though. Jaydon made sure of that. He paid for her to fly home so she could be there with me, and I’ll be forever grateful.

I still haven't forgiven my sister. Maybe I will eventually, but I don’t feel like I have to forgive her just yet.

She caused Jaydon and me— mostly me —a lot of pain, and I just can't move past that and let her back into my life.

I wish her well; I even told her that, but I also let her know she needed to work on herself.

Maybe one day, when I feel good and ready, I will invite her to come visit. Jaydon fully supports me, as always, in whatever decision I make.

Now that the sun has set, the sound of crickets chirping rings out in the distance, and the warm glow from the fire pit sets the mood. Ryleigh Grace squeals, running around the patio, throwing and kicking her pink ball that I bought for her when she comes to visit.

Jaydon's fingers tap the side of my leg, drawing my attention. I glance at him, and I already know what he's up to. My heart skips a beat in excitement.

He clears his throat, “Thanks for coming over for dinner tonight,” his normal cocky voice is now laced with excitement, and even a hint of nerves. “But there's a reason we invited you over tonight. Ellie and I have something we want to tell you.”

I slide off his lap, bracing myself for impact as his words hang in the air.

Haleigh’s eyes go wide, her mouth dropping open, as she slowly pieces his words together. Then she jumps from her seat, “Oh my god, I’m about to scream.” I giggle, biting my lip, trying to hold in my excitement because I want to scream with her. “Jaydon, you better spit it out!”

“Come on, man, she's gonna blow,” Ryan calls out from his chair.

Jaydon teases a smirk, keeping them waiting even longer before he finally meets my gaze when he says, “Ellie's pregnant!”