Page 94 of Peaches & Pistols

He won’t tell me where we’re going, though I figure it out when we turn off the main highway onto the road that leads to Lucky Spurs Ranch.

Now late morning, Everly’s excitement hasn’t worn off one bit, if anything, it’s grown. Bearing witness to her cherishing every word her big sister says fills my heart so much it aches. This is what she deserved all along—a family.

We pass the main house and stables, confusion overtaking my joy by the second. Greyson covers my hands with his large, warm palm to stop the intense twisting I’ve been inflicting on my fingers.

He parks in front of a massive barn that looks to be brand new, or freshly renovated. Before he can get any of our doors, people descend on the truck. I’m pulled out by Delilah, who quickly links arms with Izzy, who’s carrying my little princess.

Livy swings Harper through the air, both of them giggling like fiends. What we walk into is a scene I’ll recall to my dying day. The barn’s been transformed into an elegant event space, twinkling lights gracing the rafters, visible even in the daylight.

I can’t discern one delectable aroma from another, wafting through the open space from tables set in an intimate arc. Walking through the space in awe, I’m perfectly warm and comfortable, shocked that such a massive, outdoor structure is so temperate.

“Oh good, you’re here! Everyone! They’re here!” Cecelia hollers across the barn.

I’ll be eternally grateful to Delilah as she deposits me in Greyson’s warm embrace, effectively rescuing me from the incoming matriarch. I adore Cecelia, but I’m extremely overwhelmed and overstimulated by the shock of the day and need a moment of safety in Greyson’s arms.

Knowing this without having to ask, he envelops me in a firm hug, his hand shielding the back of my head.

“We can leave right now if this is too much, no questions asked, honey,” he says between kisses to the top of my head.

“No, look how happy the girls are. I want to stay, but would it be too much to ask for…” I can’t ask. I shouldn’t.

I need to pull myself together and put on a happy face. Carter beat that into me early in our marriage—never to embarrass him at events.

“Nothing’s ever too much. What do you need, Mia? The answer’s already yes,” Greyson says, pulling back slightly to meet my eyes.

I can trust Greyson. I can tell him anything. He won’t hurt me.

“Could we have a minute alone to talk?” I ask, concern tweaking his brow nearly imperceptibly.

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides me to a portion of the barn that’s been partitioned off, perhaps for storage, or staff.

“Talk to me, honey. I’ll fix it, whatever it is.” His no-nonsense disposition brings a brief smile to one side of my lips.

Swallowing my lingering fears and pride, I admit my truth.

“I’m overwhelmed by the love and support, and the celebration focused specifically on me and Everly. It’s difficult to go from being a burden to my family, to being treated like Carter’s property, to this. Please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m so appreciative and grateful, everything’s perfect. I’m just struggling to make sense of it all. I don’t deserve this.”

Greyson regards me intently, drawing measured deep breaths in and out of his nose, trying to calm himself. The funny thing is nothing about his brooding nature or intensity make me afraid. He’s my safe place.

Drawing a hand down his face, he takes one final deep breath before adjusting his stance.

“I’m not getting into the ‘don’t deserve this’ bullshit until later when I can redden your ass for thinking so low of yourself.”

I gulp, torn between arousal from his promise of pleasurable punishment, and wishing I could take it back, so we don’t have to discuss it at all.

“I wanted to give you and Everly the birthday party of all birthday parties to make up for the ones you spent alone, sad, and afraid. But if it doesn't make you happy, I don’t give a fuck about anything out there.” He points out towards the party.

“I only care about you.” He’s eerily calm, trying not to spook me like a stray cat.

“What do you need, honey? Quiet space? I’ll take you to the main house right now.”

I shake my head.

“Do you want to go check out the party?”

I shake my head again, growing furiously embarrassed by the second.

“I’m ruining everything. I’m so sorry Greyson.” Tears well in my eyes and I’m grateful I chose the waterproof mascara today.