Page 12
Five Years Later
Tennessee
The woods are alive this morning with the sounds of birds, the crackling creek, and our two-year-old girl who seems to have stumbled onto something she shouldn’t have.
“Junie-Bug,” Sienna’s voice rings out with something that sounds half warm, half warning from behind the chicken coop. “If I find worms in your pocket again, I swear on Planet Zargo I’m going to—”
“She’s harvesting for science,” I say, scooping the little blonde princess up into my arms.
Sienna rounds the corner of the coop, a bundle of eggs in her basket and a smear of dirt across one cheek.
“And science can stay out of the laundry.” She leans in and drops a kiss onto my cheek before blowing a raspberry on Junie’s belly.
“Who’s going to be brave and wake Esme? We need to get her ready for the church meeting.
We don’t want to be late for Uncle Red’s famous chili. ”
Life has changed quite dramatically over the past few years.
Sienna and I had a private little wedding ceremony near Balsam Creek Lodge, we built this cabin on a few acres west of the clubhouse, and we fell more and more in love every second of every day.
It wasn’t long before that love started sprouting little woodland fairies who seem to be covered in glitter and dirt no matter how hard we try to keep them clean.
“I’ve got her!” Junie-Bug manages through some form of a broken language. “I waked her up right now.” She wiggles down out of my arms and shuffles into the house, a secret worm hanging out of her pocket. I’m not sure Sienna sees it, but I don’t point it out.
The door swings shut behind her, and for the first time all morning, the world exhales with just the two of us standing in the hush that follows the storm of tiny feet and undomesticated joy.
Sienna tips up onto her toes and wraps her arms around my neck. “You still down for helping me next week with that wedding out at the pine groves?”
“Looking forward to it. I hunted down that chocolate fountain you were looking for. They had one at the bakery in town. The woman at the counter said we could borrow it for free.”
Sienna rolls her eyes with a playful smile. “Sure, she did. Anything for my hot dad.”
I grin, pulling my girl a little closer. “I mean, if she’s handing out deals to silver foxes, who am I to turn them down?”
Sienna lets out a snorty laugh against my shoulder. “Is that what you’re calling yourself now? A silver fox?”
I give her an exaggerated wink. “Silver fox, DILF, hot biker, sexy mysterious hitman. The titles keep piling up.”
“Oh God.” She rolls her eyes as the scent of juniper breezes across the yard. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Keep me?” I grin, kissing her lips softly.
“I mean,” she smiles, “you are a hot dad.”
“Ma’am, please stop! I’m someone’s husband!”
“Yeah, mine!” She leans into my lips hard and fast, kissing me the same way she has for five years. The way I hope she does for years to come.
It’s funny how life goes. I never imagined I’d be married to the daughter of a man that I thought had ruined my life.
I never thought I’d have three beautiful girls to love and care for.
And I never thought I’d be doing it here, in the wilds of Colorado with my past so far behind me.
But here we are, building a life we’ve stitched together with laughter, worm filled pockets, second chances, and a family we chose.
A family I’ll protect with all my heart, for the rest of my days.
THANK YOU FOR READING.