Page 129 of Finding Our Reality

ELLA

So, this is why he didn’t want to go to the bar tonight.

I jump out of the vehicle, unable to contain my excitement.

The second my door slams, Ry and Laura hold out their arms and yell, “Surprise!”

My heart flutters against my ribcage like a thousand butterflies are trying to escape. They’re standing on the patio where the firepit rages, sending gorgeous blue flames into the dusk sky. There’s a big tent set up, right whereourtent used to be. This one is slightly larger and looks a little nicer. On the other side of the patio is a large table overflowing with food. I could be wrong, but that looks like a four-foot-long Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

I’m still taking it all in when Laura races up to me. I immediately scoop her into a hug. “What’s all this?”

She pushes her glasses up on her nose. “It’s a campout. Just like you and Uncle Ry used to do all the time. Except I get to camp out too!”

I watch Ry as he walks over to us. Stalks would be the more appropriate term. He’s wearing a T-shirt, cargo shorts, and flip flops. His ballcap is pulled down low on his head. Every muscle in his body flexes. He’s pure danger and power. And when he lovingly ruffles Laura’s hair, he’s never looked sexier.

“Y’all did this for me?”

Laura nods wildly. “Uncle Ry said you had a really bad day and that we needed to do something to cheer you up. He picked me up from summer camp and we planned the whole thing. Hesaid that we’re gonna start camping out once a month. He said we’re ‘going back to our stump’.”

I furrow my brow. “Huh?”

Ry laughs. “Going back toour roots, not going back toour stump.”

She scowls, mumbling under her breath that she liked her saying better.

I smile. “It’s even better now.” I nod at the house. “We have a working bathroom this time.”

Laura runs back down to the patio. We watch as she grabs Felicia Stinkbottoms and skips to the tire swing.

Taking the opportunity, Ry wraps his fingers around my waist and pulls me against his hard body. I react. Instantly growing wet.

Flipping his ballcap around backward, he nuzzles his lips against my ear. “Hi.”

“I can’t believe you did this for me. It’s wonderful. Thank you.”

He pulls back and bends his head. He’s so close that his lips rub against mine when he talks, driving me to the brink of insanity. “I was worried you might not like it. We spent all those nights sitting outside, sleeping in a tent. But we were kids then. You haven’t grown too accustomed to indoor living, have you?”

I open my mouth, breathing his air, becoming part of him, renewing my soul. “Never. That tent is a sight for sore eyes.” My tongue dart outs, licking his. I couldn’t stop myself from moaning even if I wanted to.

But he doesn’t give me what I want.

Instead, he steps away and smirks. “Good. Then go change out of those work clothes so we can eat. My Philly cheesesteak is getting cold.”

After we eat, Ry and Laura fish while I clean up the food. I take the leftovers inside and store them in the fridge. That’sdefinitely an upgrade from our past as well—no more coolers filled with ice. Laura catches a fish and proudly poses next to Ry as I take their picture. By the time we play a few card games, Laura starts to yawn.

Ry hands his cell phone to her. “Little Girl, why don’t you call your mom and say goodnight before it gets too late.”

I snuggle next to Ry on a loveseat, watching the blue flames dance in the fire. Hearing Laura’s sweet and excited words to her mother stirs a longing deep in my heart. I reach around my neck, rubbing my scar in thought.

“She’ll jabber for twenty minutes if you let her,” he jokes.

“She’s got a lot to say.”

He snorts. “Little Girl always has a lot to say.” Noticing my mood, he gently kisses the top of my head. “Are you thinking about Reality?”

“I always think about Reality.”

I feel him nodding. “I was thinking we should do something special at the creek, a memorial of sorts. I was thinking about a rock garden, maybe? I did some research, and they make these fake rocks now that are eco-friendly and solar powered. They glow blue and green at night. We can build a really nice wooden glider out there. I was even thinking of lining the path I cut with lights and a cedar log railing. Instead of driving the side-by-side up there, we could walk. Enjoy the creek at night.”

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