Page 28

“See something you like?” I can’t help the crooked smirk that stretches across my face when her cheeks flush a delightful pink.

If there wasn’t a child upstairs, I’d have my country girl bent over the table. Taking my cock like a good girl and screaming my name like a good whore.

But… priorities .

“You know I do. And I’ll be seeing a lot more of it… later.” She winks before leaving me—and my raging boner—to help Lily.

And even though she told me not to, I spend the next few minutes tidying up the kitchen table and washing the dishes. On the counter, there’s a large wicker picnic basket with a patchwork quilt draped over the top.

As much as I want to peek inside, I resist the urge to ruin whatever surprise they have planned.

“Okay, crisis averted,” Maggie says when she re-enters the kitchen a few minutes later. Lily bounces behind her with a wide grin on her face and a giant butterfly net in her hands… happy as a clam. “We thought we’d show you one of our secret spots since the weather is still warm. Ready?”

“Lead the way.” Like a gentleman, I hook my arm through the handle of the picnic basket and sweep my free hand toward the garage door.

P arking the four-wheeler next to Maggie’s, I switch it off and remove my helmet. For my first time driving the beastly machine, I’d say I didn’t do too bad. No broken bones or bruises, and I didn’t even hit anything.

I tug on my hat as my eyes eat up the secret oasis spread before me. Hidden away near the back of the orchard, the trees give way to a small pond. The water is a brilliant turquoise, sparkling under the late-morning sunshine.

Vibrant green lily pads float in a gentle motion along the top of the water. Cattails protrude from the surface, creating the perfect habitat for croaking frogs and buzzing dragonflies.

Surrounded by the birds singing in the trees, it’s… magical .

Adjusting my hat, I let it shield my sensitive skin from the warmth of the sun. “This is beautiful.”

After taking off Lily’s helmet, Maggie grabs the blanket from the back of their four-wheeler and spreads it out near the base of a giant oak tree.

The branches and bark are withered and worn by age, like it’s lived a thousand lives.

“This was Roman’s favorite place.” She rests a hand against the trunk of the tree.

“ We used to bring Lily here as a baby.” When her gaze meets mine, her eyes swim with tears.

My long legs eat up the distance between us, and I wrap her in my arms. “I’m so sorry, Maggie.”

She tips her head up and wraps her arms around my waist, returning the embrace.

Deep in her eyes, an emotion that matches the one I’ve been hiding for weeks now shimmers back at me…

Love . “I’m okay. I promise. But I wanted to share this place with you, well, because you’re special to us. To Lily… and me.”

My hand cups her cheek, and she nuzzles into my palm before placing a soft kiss on my palm. “I feel the same way, Maggie. I—”

“Look! A frog! Momma, can I catch it?” The queen of inconvenient timing strikes again. Lily splashes near the edge of the pond, and a frog hops along the sand near her feet.

“Thwarted again, country boy.” Maggie pats my chest. “Can you finish setting up the picnic while I help Lily catch her frog prince?”

“Sure thing, country girl.” I wink just so I can bear witness to her flushing cheeks again.

Smiling and shaking her head, Maggie bends to where the picnic basket rests on the ground. She grabs a glass jar from inside before jogging to her daughter.

While I work to spread out the food on one corner of the blanket, the girls’ laughter keeps me company. I can’t help but smile, knowing Maggie wanted to share something with me that once belonged to her and Roman. It makes me think, just maybe, her heart is healing enough to let me in.

I don’t want to replace Roman. A first love is something sacred, and it’s not my intention to erase his memory. I simply hope to add more happy memories to the next chapter of Maggie’s story while honoring Roman’s memory.

When I stand, my eyes catch on something carved on the side of the tree, in the same spot Maggie touched earlier.

Roman and Maggie? It’s the only logical explanation.

My throat thickens when I lay my hand over the carving, the weathered bark rough against my hand.

Closing my eyes, I lean my forehead against the tree and breathe deep.

“Thank you for loving her, Roman.” A squeal, followed by a burst of giggles, has my eyes snapping open and head swinging toward the pond.

Barefoot, with her jeans rolled to her knees, Maggie splashes in the shallow water with her daughter.

“I caught one!” Lily squeals, hands cupped around what I can only assume is a wriggling frog.

Sea-glass eyes lift from the water to meet mine, and I can’t help but smile at the joy radiating from Maggie’s brilliant gaze.

Yeah, this is where I’m meant to be from now on. Tapping my hand over the carving once more, I whisper, “I’ll take it from here. I’ll protect them both for the rest of my life.”