Page 188 of Stay With Me

Being here brings back so many memories. Not only have I gone every summer with Noah’s family, but it’s where she met Fisher. Well, technically, it’s where I found Fisher and pointed him out to her. I’m the only reason they actually met, and I will take credit for their love until the day I die.

Noah and Ellie have been training extra hard these past few months. Ellie’s at the top of her game and has crushed every event she’s had for the past year.

“Da!” Willow points toward Tripp as I carry her on my hip. “Da!”

“Yeah, he’s comin’, sweetie.”

Go fucking figure I’d carry her for nine months, and that’d be her first word.

But I can’t even be mad because Tripp’s an incredible father. For the first six months after she was born, he got up with me for every feeding and diaper change. Luckily, now she sleeps through the night, but he still continues to cook all of our meals. Hell, he does the laundry most weeks because I forget. He never complains even after working a ten-hour shift.

The day Willow was born and the day I married the man of my dreams were the two best ones of my life.

As soon as he’s within reach, she holds up her arms and squeals for him to pick her up.

“Hey, sweetheart.” He kisses her cheek.

I let him take her out of my arms, but I make a pouty face about it.

“Don’t worry, I’ll lift you up later tonight.” He winks.

I snort at his cheesy line but can’t help the smile that sneaks onto my face.Damn him.

Even after everything we’ve been through—being first-time parents, juggling a newborn and work schedules, finding secret moments to steal—he still makes me laugh.

We’re staying in one of the Hollises’ trailers, so we only have to bring the stroller and baby bag to the arena. By the time we arrive and find Noah, the barrel racing event has already started.

Noah and I stand in the front by the railing, ready to scream for Ellie as we always do. I turn around and laugh at the image of Tripp holding Willow and Fisher holding Poppy. It’s like a hot dad’s club.

“Did you ever imagine this would be our lives? Three years ago, I was pushing you to go talk to a man twice your age, and I was chasing after Tripp like a lovesick puppy.”

“I’m startin’ to wonder if Tripp’s a victim of stalker syndrome? Ya know, kinda like Stockholm syndrome? He couldn’t get away from you, so he had no choice but to fall in love with you,” Noah teases.

“Call it whatever you want, but it worked.” I shrug with a smirk.

Landen walks over and stands behind us. “Is her division next?”

“Yep, she’ll be the second runner,” Noah says. “Get ready to scream your guts out.”

“Your brother will be rearranging my guts later, so I can’t do that.”

“Gross.” Noah laughs.

“You’re tellin’ me. I live above them.” Landen groans, standing behind me like a bodyguard.

I pat his arm. “Oh, you poor baby.”

The emcee announces Ellie’s name with her horse Ranger and the crowd goes wild. When she flies into the arena, we cheer as loudly as we can.

“Yes, Ellie!” Noah stands on the railing, screaming louder. “Go, go, go!”

Ellie goes smoothly around the first barrel and quickly races to the next.

She gets around the second, but then I notice something off about her posture as she rushes toward the third.

Just as Ranger whips around the final barrel, Ellie falls off and smacks her head on it. There’s a loud, audible gasp in the crowd, and Landen clutches my shoulder. She tumbles to the ground, rolls a couple of times, and then ends up face-down in the dirt.

“Oh my God!” Noah sprints toward the exit to get down there, and Landen quickly follows.