Page 120 of Love You Madly

"Hey, you," Callie replies, her voice as warm as a favorite song. She steps back to let us in, her familiar scent surrounding me. Part of me wants to lean in and kiss her right now, but with Barrett here, I hold off for the moment.

"This must be Barrett," she says, her face lighting up as she looks at him with an openness that makes my chest tighten. She shifts Sara slightly, balancing her on her hip as she reaches a hand out to Barrett, who's half-hiding behind my leg, peeking out at her with a mix of shyness and curiosity. "Hi, Barrett. It’s nice to meet you. Your dad’s told me so much about you."

Barrett, ever the cautious observer, studies her with those wide, curious eyes before turning his attention to Sara. I can see the uncertainty in his face, the way he’s trying to process these new faces, this new environment. I reach behind me to rub his back gently, hoping to soothe any lingering nerves. “This is Callie,” I say, keeping my tone light and easy. “And this is Sara. Can you say hi, buddy?”

He looks up at me, and I nod, letting him know it’s okay.

“Hi, Buddy,” Barrett parrots with a giggle.

Sara pops her favoriteMute Buttonpacifier out of her mouth and gives a soft hello with a shy smile. At only fourteen-months-old, Sara doesn’t talk much yet. But I can tell that she’s excited to have someone to play with.

Callie meets my gaze, and for a moment, everything else fades away. It’s just us, standing here in this perfect littlebubble, watching these two lives blend together in a monumental and simple way.

“So, what would you guys like to do today?” Callie asks, breaking the moment with a soft smile that sends a ripple of warmth through me as we all head inside.

“Well,” I start, looking around the cozy, familiar space of her living room, “I thought we could let the kids play here for a bit. Maybe head outside if they get restless, then see where the day takes us.”

“Sounds good to me,” Callie replies, her eyes following the kids as they explore each other. “They seem happy enough for now.”

Barrett walks over to Sara, his gaze curious and intent. Sara, a little unsteady on her feet, holds out one of her toys—a small, plush dinosaur. She offers it to Barrett with a quiet fascination, and after a moment’s hesitation, he takes it. Watching them, something clicks into place inside me. This—seeing my son interact with Callie’s daughter, watching them form a quiet connection—fills me with a sense of contentment I didn’t know I needed.

The two of them seem perfectly in sync in their own small, silent way. I see in them the seeds of something special, something I’d love to watch grow. As I think of the future, a picture unfolds—these two growing up together, Callie and me by their side, creating a life filled with moments like this.

Callie steps a bit closer, and the warmth of her shoulder against mine grounds me in this perfect moment. I feel my phone buzz in my pocket, snapping me out of it. When I see Will’s name on the screen, I give Callie an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, I should take this," I say.

"Go ahead," she replies, her smile reassuring me as I step into the hallway for a little privacy.

"Hey, Will. What’s up?" I ask, keeping my voice steady.

"Owen, just a heads-up—we’re done with the Iowa City job," Will says, his tone serious and straightforward. "So here’s the deal. You’ve got a few options: take the layoff, find another contractor, or come with me on the next job. Some investors are opening up a ranch resort, West Haven, over in Columbus Junction. It’s right by the Iowa River, about thirty-five miles east of Cedar Bluff. It’s also an option for Cedar Rapids in a few weeks, but that’s a bit farther."

I take a deep breath, trying to process it. The Iowa City job coming to an end feels both unsettling and like an opportunity. "Columbus Junction, huh?" I say, turning the idea over in my mind.

"Yeah, it’s a good gig," Will says. "Could be a place to settle for a while. No rush; just wanted to give you all the info."

My thoughts immediately go to Barrett. Cutting down the distance would be a relief, making it easier to be in his life day-to-day. And then there’s Callie. Columbus Junction would mean being close to her, seeing her and Sara without the constant planning around long drives.

"Will," I say, my voice steadier, "Columbus Junction sounds like it might be exactly what I need. Thanks, man. I’ll figure things out, but this sounds promising."

"Take your time, but not too long," Will chuckles. "I need to give them a headcount soon. Just let me know."

We end the call, and I stand there for a moment, letting everything sink in. This decision is more than a job change—it’s about where I want to build my life.

When I rejoin Callie in the living room, she’s watching the kids, her expression soft and thoughtful. "Everything okay?" she asks gently.

"Yeah," I say, though there’s a weight in my voice. "Will just called to let me know the Iowa City job is wrapping up. He’s offering me a spot on his next project—a ranch resort inColumbus Junction. It’s close enough that I’d be near Barrett and even closer to you."

Her eyes light up as she considers the idea. "So that means we’d get to see a lot more of each other?"

I nod. "Yeah. But it also means making some decisions about my living situation. My landlord gave me a thirty-day notice since he found a long-term tenant. I need to figure out where to go."

Without missing a beat, Callie takes my hand, squeezing it gently. "What about staying with your mom?" she suggests thoughtfully.

I shake my head. "Mom’s place is too small for Barrett and me. I want him to have his own space, a place that feels like home."

She’s quiet for a moment, a pensive look crossing her face. "What if… you stayed here? I mean, it’d be temporary if that’s what you need. You’re here all the time anyway, and you’d be close to Barrett. And… close to us."

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