Page 115 of Fall Over You

We’ve got thirteen people packed into this house made for no more than four, but instead of feeling trapped, I just feel surrounded by warmth. Everybody is good natured about the requested painting, excited to leave their mark on our project and help us get it ready for its open house during the upcoming Pumpkin Smash. I have no doubt it’ll fill up with renters quick. And yes, I did a lot of the work, but Becca had the vision.

She’s made every part of my life better. Even if she hadn’t said she loved me back, I’d know she loves me. It’s all in how she treats me, like her partner and equal.

By the time I blow out my twenty-eight candles with everyone I know and love around me, I have to fight hard to keep it together. Because for the first time in my life, I’m grateful for every moment that led me right to this one.

For once, on my birthday, I feel loved.

FORTY-FOUR

BECCA

We wave off the last partygoers at around eleven, and every single room in the cottage is now painted. We got extra lucky, because Tyler’s parents convinced Ellie to stay over at their house for the night.

We stand side by side on the cottage’s porch, watching as our friends’ headlights fade into the dark. I rest my head against his chest, tired but content.

“Baby, I can’t thank you enough,” Tyler says. “No one’s ever done anything like that for me. You even figured out how to get the cottage done before the Pumpkin Smash.”

I grimace. “Yeah. I was afraid you’d think that was tacky, but I also knew otherwise you’d stress out trying to get it done. Now we just have to stage some furniture.”

“No, I thought it was great. And now I get to spend more time with you.”

I grin up at him. “I love spending time with you.”

He dips for a quick peck. “You know, we’ve got the farm to ourselves. And no one’s ever broken in this cottage. And it’s my birthday.”

“Hmm. Feeling entitled to something?” I tease.

We sink into a slow kiss and he steers us inside, kicking the front door closed and hemming me to it with his body. I let myself relax into him. This man has been in my life as long as I can remember, but there’s nothing quite like having him in my life like this. It’s starting to get real, to settle in.

This might be forever. I was hopeful on our wedding day, but I didn’t really expect it could come true.

I pull out of our kiss and gaze up at him. “So, you were serious about what you said earlier?”

Tyler’s brow wrinkles. “What do you mean? That I love you?”

“That you love me. I mean, what if we pay off the loan and . . . I don’t want to split up?”

He smiles and shakes his head. “Then I don’t think we’re splitting up. I certainly don’t want to.”

“But what if I want to keep going and you don’t? I can’t make you stay.”

He moves a half-step back from me, swiping his thumb over his lips that I just kissed. “I don’t see that happening.”

“I know I drive you crazy, though.”

“Drive me crazy?” He runs his tongue along his bottom teeth. “Reba, why else would I have bought back the LeBaron? Why do you think I asked you specifically to marry me?”

“I don’t know,” I say mousily. “Because you felt sorry for me and I’m Dusty’s sister. I’m familiar.”

“Yes, you’re Dusty’s sister, and yes, we both had similar problems. But I know somewhere deep inside me, you are what I’ve wanted. Even when I thought it was a bad idea. Even when I had the wrong idea of who you were.”

I swallow hard, because everything feels too close, like seaweed stuck around my ankles at the beach. “But what about when you were with CJ?”

He worries his lower lip. “Someone told me to look after you, and I didn’t want to break his trust.”

“So, what, you were with my best friend? How does that make it any better?”

“I knew I couldn’t have you,” he says more pointedly. “I was too irresponsible. Dusty would have killed me.”