Page 124 of Heartstrings & Horseshoes

Realizations are rushing in faster than the tears escaping my eyes.

Connor tightens his grasp on my hands and swings our arms in and out, nerves showing.

“Remember when you were ten and I promised someday you’d have the white house with the blue door?” he asks.

“The one by the library? It belongs to the town…”

“It’s the one promise I made over the years I can’t keep, and you’ll never know how sorry I am. Baby, I tried everything. I saved every spare dollar I’ve ever made to buy that house for you, but it wasn’t meant to be.” Devastation flashes across his handsome face.

“But…we only got together—” A few months ago…

“I know. It didn’t matter. I promised you’d have that house, and I was hopelessly in love with you, even if you never felt the same way. It was something I had to do, because you deserve everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”

My bottom lip will surely bruise from how hard I’m chewing on it, mind reeling processing the whole truth of how much Connor’s sacrificed for me over the years, how he took care of me and kept me going even during the darkest times—knowing he may never have me.

I huff a laugh because it still gets me sometimes how if one of us had been brave enough to confess our feelings, it would’ve saved us years of unrequited love and heartache.

“I can’t give you the white house with the blue door by the library. But I can give you a white house with a blue door of your own.” His chocolate eyes melt in the sunlight.

He releases my hands. “Turn around, dollface.”

I’m tremoring head to toe, and not from the cold. I slowly turn around and revel in Connor’s warmth at my back.

This can’t be real. I’m dreaming, right?

“Happy birthday, and welcome home, baby,” Connor says with a kiss to my temple.

An immaculate cabin has been erected on an area of Lucky Spurs Ranch I’ve never been to. The single-story rancher sprawls so wide I can’t fathom how many rooms lie within. Wide, white wooden planks wrap around the façade like icing around a cake.

The front door shines like a sapphire dead center of the structure, flanked with stained glass windows that reflect rainbows from the bright sun.

The roof overhangs the house by at least eight feet, covering an expansive porch that wraps around the front exterior to the sides. Does it continue around back?

Knotty wood stained a brilliant chestnut supports the oversized rocking chair by the front door. Large enough for both of us to sit or lay comfortably.

“Connor…” I whisper, leaning into his sturdy chest. His strong arms wrap around me, and I cling to his forearms for dear life.

“Do you want to go inside your new house, doll? How did I not put it together sooner? This is your dollhouse.” His chuckle vibrates through my back, and I feel him smile into my hair.

He moves to my side, an arm around my waist, and guides me up the porch stairs onto the patio, and through the brilliant blue front door.

The space is overwhelming, but in the most welcoming, wrap-you-in-a warm-hug, way. The love built into these walls radiates all around us.

“You did all this?” I ask, incredulous.

“With help from our found family, yes. I couldn’t give you the house you dreamed of, but hopefully I’ve built you the house we’ll make a life together in, making new dreams.”

I turn into Connor and sob, fingers desperately clutching his coat.

“Please don’t cry. If you don’t like it I’ll change anything you want,” he pleads.

“Don’t you dare,” I say into his chest. “It’s perfect.”

He lifts me from my hiding place and bends down to my level.

“I can’t believe you did this for me, Connor,” I say through tears.

“You have no idea the lengths I’d go to make you happy. You’ve had me wrapped around your finger since I was eight years old. The only difference now, is I’m wrapped around your ring finger, as you are around mine.” He smiles that smile that melts my heart and my panties at the same time.