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Ronni

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The bright sunlight reflecting off the snow covered ground sneaks through my eyelids, waking me up. Rex is asleep at my feet, acting like my own personal foot warmer. Tanner is still driving along, focused on the road. He’s at ease, relaxed, a gentle smile on his always handsome face. His beard has started to fill back in but I can still clearly make out those dimples.

I could watch him like this all day. I try to stay still as long as I can, knowing if he realizes I’m awake he’ll start talking to me, disturbing this magical little moment. I’ve learned that once you get him to open up, it’s actually hard to keep him quiet.

“Well hello there, horny badger.” His low voice breaks the silence. His eyes are still on the road, but I can see the side of his mouth lift into a smirk, deepening his dimple. “Hope you got some beauty rest. Not that you need it.”

“Damnit. How’d you know I was awake?” I playfully punch him in the shoulder, trying not to move too much so I don’t wake Rex up.

“You stopped snoring, so I figured you were up. Wait, you do know you snore, right? I have no idea how Collin sleeps on that top bunk with you down there sawing logs. Going to have to ask him how he does it, I guess,” he says with a laugh. “It’ll be totally worth it though.”

The thought of going to bed with him every night and waking up with him each morning floods my head and makes my heart melt. I love the thought even more knowing that he’s thinking about it too.

“Very funny, Tanner. I don’t snore.” I cross my arms, huffing and pouting in a way that would make Lizzy proud. I look down at Rex, realizing I moved enough to wake him up as he lets out a lazy yawn.

Tanner looks down at Rex before stealing a glance at me, flashing those green eyes. “You know he likes you, right? Like a lot.”

“Well I like him too. But I love his dad even more.” I grab Tanner’s hand, squeezing it tightly. I never want to let go of it again. He is my forever person.

“I love you too,” he says, his thumb rubbing the back of my hand in his.

Looking outside and down the road, I can just make out the Tetons, backlit by the sun setting behind them.

“So, it looks like we’re near Jackson. How long of a shift did you take driving?”

“Oh, it’s been about four hours. You zonked out pretty hard. I didn’t want to wake you up. You’re pretty when you sleep,even if you snore.” I see the corner of his mouth lift into a smirk again, one of his dimples peeking out.

“I donotsnore, Tanner,” I say, still in denial. “But thanks for driving so long. I can’t wait to be back. What time do you think we’ll get in?”

“Hmmm. I’d say about 6:30 PM or so. Should be back in time for dinner. You should call your brother and Lizzy. I know they’ll want to see you and hear all about how you told Jeff to pound sand.” He looks at me, grinning wide.

I told him the full story last night. He loved every second of the story and didn’t even give me anI told you solecture even though he was totally right about it. The way he looked at me when I told him, the awe and pride in his eyes, was more validation than I ever needed to know I did the right thing.

“Oh, Lizzy is going to love that story. It feels like so much has happened since they dropped me off at the airport. I can’t wait to see them.” I grin thinking about how she’ll react when I give her all the details.

Tanner looks back over at me. “Yeah. I can’t wait to see them either. Hopefully we can convince Collin to stay out in Wyoming for a bit longer. Two weeks just doesn’t seem like enough time to spend together.”

I’m still holding his hand, our fingers woven together. My thumb tracing the outline of the Tetons on his wrist, as we drive towards those very mountains outlined by the sunset ahead of us. I never want to let go of him. I think about the last time I ripped my hand from his, frantically running away because I was afraid to hear the truth about my job and come to terms with leaving it. It was barely three days ago, but it feels like a lifetime ago.

“We’ll work on him. He can work remote for a bit I’m sure,” I say, realizing Tanner hasn’t been working for the last two days. “Hey wait, who’s been managing the properties and driving the plow? We can’t both be unemployed!” That question gets me a laugh, the boyish one I’ve known for years. The laugh that makes my heart flutter and brings out his dimples.

“Funny you mention that. Collin’s been doing it. Apparently it’s been a dream of his to drive a plow?” He’s shaking his head and still laughing.

“Why am I not surprised,” I say, palming my face. “You know, you guys would make a great team.”

“That’s not a bad idea at all, Ronni. We’re definitely going to have to work on him,” he says.

“So…what’s next?” I used too hate this question. But now for the first time in a while, I don’t have some grand detailed life plan and I’m perfectly ok with that.

It’s simple now, just be with him.

That’s all the plan I need.

“Right now? I just want to keep going and get us home,” he says, eyes on the road but still smiling. “After that, we can do whatever you want.”

I can feel his hand squeeze mine tighter when he sayshome.

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