Page 21 of Prairie Nights

Hayden and Whitney walked up to Ben and Ever’s farmhouse, a pie plate in hand. They had been invited for dinner and Whitney was eager to talk with Ever about her recent doctor’s appointment.

Ever opened the door even before they could knock. “You’re here!” she exclaimed, hugging them both and inviting them in. Ben stood at the front entrance, his blue eyes crackling with excitement.

“Ben, you look like the cat that swallowed the canary.” Hayden commented with amusement at his brother’s atypical expression.

Rather than giving his brother his usual growl and scowl, Ben laughed and welcomed them into the living room. A fire was lit in the stone fireplace and the flicker of the flames made light dance on the walls. It made the entire room inviting, warm and cozy. Taking a seat at one end of the long leather couch, Hayden pulled Whitney in next to him, his arm snuggly around her waist. Ben took a seat at the other side and Ever nestled into his lap, as they often did. Both glanced at each other, their smiles growing even wider.

“Okay, spill!” Whitney ordered. “I want to know what the doctor said!”

Ben turned to Ever, and she nodded for him to share their news.

“Ever and I found out yesterday we’re having twins.” Ben shared excitedly, as he ran his hand over Ever’s belly, the evidence of her baby bump already showing.

Hayden and Whitney’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wow, you guys, that’s incredible!” Hayden congratulated. “Two babies!”

Ever nodded, her face beaming with unbridled joy as Whitney, tears forming in her eyes, reached out to Ever. The friends wrapped their arms around each other, both letting the tears of happiness fall. Hayden leaned over and put out his fist to bump Ben’s. He had never seen his brother happier and more excited about anything in his life. Seeing his brother find such joy and contentment stirred both feelings of envy and hope within him. Hayden was self admittedly jealous that Ben had found what he so deeply desired for himself, but it also gave him hope that he would have that too.

His eyes locked on Whitney who was wiping the tears from her face, and she turned to capture his gaze, smiling at him sweetly. Could I have it all with Whitney? Reflecting on their conversation in his workshop, he knew she wanted the life Ben and Ever had found too. She wanted her person, a happy marriage and she wanted a family. But did she want that with me? With his insecurities rearing their ugly head and making him question everything, he shook his head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. He loved Whitney. If he was being completely honest with himself, he had been in love with her from the night they met. And as they spent more time together, getting to know each other better, it only solidified his initial feelings for her. He was in love with Whitney Faris. Now to show her he was the man for her.

* * *

After dinner and a long visit, Hayden helped Whitney into his truck and leaned in to give her a chaste kiss. “I want to take you somewhere,” he said, giving her a wink.

“Now? It’s late,” she questioned, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

“Yes, I promise you’re going to love it!”

Hayden hopped into the cab and started down the long driveway, turning onto the gravel road, the opposite direction from his place. Whitney stared out the window at the snow-covered ditches lighting their way as he navigated down the dark road. Two miles from Prairie Sky, he pulled onto a utility road, driving over low snowbanks, and making a path through the snow. They stopped, enrobed in darkness, with fields surrounding them on either side.

“Where are we?” she asked curiously, glancing out at the darkness, just the moonlight on the snow providing a faint ethereal glow.

Hayden smiled and turned to her. “Trust me?” he asked, as he turned off the engine and the headlights of the truck, enveloping them in the cover of night.

“Yes, I trust you,” she answered with some hesitation in her voice.

He opened his door and reached for her as she shimmied to the driver’s side. Helping her out of the cab, he grabbed their mittens that were in the middle console of the truck. Handing her the mittens, she put them on and hooked her arm into his.

“Watch your step,” he cautioned as he guided her towards the back of the truck and unlatched the tailgate. He lifted her onto the tailgate and climbed up next to her. Taking his hand in hers, he leaned into her, his warm breath at her ear. “Look up,” he whispered.

Whitney’s eyes rose to the sky and the most glorious blanket of stars greeted her. There were millions, shining brightly and sparkling like glitter against the obsidian sky.

“It’s amazing!” she whispered; her voice was full of wonder.

The prairie night was like a dream, more brilliant than she could have imagined. So, unlike the faint glint of stars she would see, between the flood of city lights back in Toronto. This was a pure unobstructed view of God's wonder. Just then, a bright light streak across the sky. A shooting star.

“Did you see that?” She asked Hayden, as he wrapped his arm around Whitney to keep her warm.

“I did,” he replied. “Did you make a wish?”

“I did,” she answered, resting her head contentedly on his shoulder.

“What did you wish for?”

“I can’t tell you!” she giggled as she squeezed his arm. “Then it won’t come true.”

“I am not sure I believe that,” he confessed, kissing the top of her head. “My wish has already come true.”

Whitney glanced up at him, barely making out her features in the dark.

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