Page 177
We sat there in silence for a while, watching the sun climb higher, listening to the world wake up around us. Granger trotted onto the porch, circling twice before settling at our feet with a satisfied sigh.
“Did you really just learn that song for me?” I finally asked, tilting my head to look up at him.
His fingers traced lazy circles on my arm. “Maybe.”
I gave him a look.
He smirked. “Alright, yeah. I did.”
My heart twisted, full and aching all at once. I reached for his hand, threading my fingers through his. “It was beautiful.”
Wells kissed the top of my head. “I wanted to surprise you. Figured if I was going to be completely gone for you, I might as well go all in.”
I laughed softly. “Gone for me, huh?”
“Oh, so gone.” He nudged my nose with his. “I figured I should make it official.”
“Make what official?” I asked, my pulse kicking up just a little.
He pulled back slightly, watching me with that steady gaze of his. “Us.” His thumb brushed over my knuckles. “Forever.”
A slow warmth spread through me, sinking into my bones.
Wells had never been one for grand gestures or over-the-top declarations. He didn’t need them. Because when Wells loved, he loved with his whole damn heart, in quiet, steady ways that seeped into the cracks of my soul.
“Forever sounds nice,” I whispered.
His mouth curved into the softest smile. “Yeah?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
We sat like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other, the sun warming our skin, the quiet settling around us like a promise.
“You ready for some chaos this afternoon?” Wells piped up.
“Absolutely. You know Wren is going to be ecstatic to hear we got more goats.”
“I guarantee you she’s gonna name the rest of them.”
The farm was alive with chaos.
Blythe was chasing Wren through the yard, her laughter ringing through the warm summer air, while Charlie held baby Silas in his arms, swaying back and forth as if the tiny boy had any intention of settling down. Granger barked excitedly at the commotion, his tail wagging like a metronome.
It was beautifully messy.
I stood on the porch, watching it all, feeling the warmth of the scene wrap around me like a favorite sweater.
Then Wells appeared at my side, his hand sliding into mine. “Come with me.”
I glanced at him, one brow lifted. “Why do I feel like you’re up to something?”
His lips twitched. “Because you’re smart. Now, come on.”
With an amused sigh, I let him lead me off the porch and past the frenzy of family, toward the flower fields that stretched beyond the barn. The wildflowers had taken over, beebalms and asters swaying in the breeze, painting the fields in warm hues.
We walked in silence for a moment before Wells came to a stop in the middle of it all.
I turned to face him. “Okay, Calloway. What’s this about?”
