Page 119 of Rumor Has It

Or was it just as my sister has said? I was comfortable.

“Losing that job was maddening,” I admit. “I didn’t want to stir things up by complaining and wind up with nothing.”

“Funny how the ‘nothing’ you wound up with fills out his jeans… What? I can’t say that because I’m married? I like a nice butt. Joe’s got afineass.”

“So you’re a connoisseur?” I chuckle and lift my eyes to the sky. “It’s his forearms that make me shiver. When he rolls his shirtsleeves…”

A throat clears coming from the grass on the pool-side of the mansion.

“Isaiah,” I stammer, embarrassed he’s caught us talking about his body.

He’s showered, shaved, styled his hair, and is wearing the abs tee with his classic jeans.

“Thought you’d be on the morning porch… Found this in a drawer,” he says, plucking at the shirt. He tucks his hands in his front pockets, rocking back on his heels, and his arms flex. “Care to take a walk?”

I glance at my wrinkled yellow skate dress with the floral print. If it wasn’t for the bubble sleeves, which have deflated faster than a balloon, I’d be overdressed.

I’d wanted us to be picture perfect today. My tear-washed face gives away how much we sucked at hiding how distraught we were from Aria. Maybe I’ll shower when we return. Throw on some jeans myself.

“We’ll be back,” I thank my sister for being there.

“Take your time.” Gracyn hugs me again. “Mama and Daddy would like it if you two joined us for dinner. But if it’s too much, that’s fine.”

Isaiah and I amble across the street and he helps me hop over the stone wall. He lets me go first as we push through the growth of thick green foliage to get to where we walked during the winter.

I’m surprised to see trees cleared from the land. The logs are stacked to the side. An excavator is parked a little further away. Without the trees, the slightest bit more of Gatlin and Bellamy’s rooftop is visible. If I followed the dirt path carved into the woods, it would lead to the hidden road their house is on.

“I was talking to a friend over the holidays.” In my peripheral vision, Isaiah kicks the dirt. “He mentioned this was where his wife wanted to raise their family. So, I talked your dad into asking the trust to sell the adjacent property. Cavanaugh Construction is building a house for you.”

“You bought this for me?” My hand rises to my chest.

“Whatever you want,” he says, disappearing behind me. “You pick. I gave Colton a blank check.”

In my imagination, the excavator digs a basement foundation. Two by fours rise from the ground. Exterior rooms are wrapped in cement siding and roof shingles flip into place. A two-story stone chimney pops over the roofline. I can see inside through the large front windows. The kitchen is bright and welcoming. With high ceilings, the footprint includes a comfortable area for entertaining so that I don’t miss out on anything while I’m cooking.

“I can’t believe you did this for me.” I spin to face Isaiah, and my heart stops.

He’s on one knee, holding up a ring. “I asked your dad for permission to build a life with you. I know Kingsbrier is the only place you saw yourself raising a family. I think I knew how special the ranch was the moment I stepped foot into the B&B… If not, hitting my head knocked sense into me.”

He makes me laugh through new tears. Happy tears.

“I’m giving you my whole heart, Cass. Wherever you are, I’m home.”

“I don’t know what to say.” I drop to the same level, letting rocks dig into and dirty my knees. “How to thank you for this. How to show you how grateful I am for the journey you took me on this year.”

When it comes down to it, I’m not supposed to be in the same place I was when Isaiah arrived last Christmas because this man pushed me out of my comfort zone.

“‘Yes, I’ll marry you, Isaiah’ is a great place to start,” he replies with a lopsided grin.

I hold out my left hand. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Isaiah.” I repeat as he slips the ring on my finger.

Chapter Forty-seven

CASSIDY

I rub my arms, boarding the tour bus. My mouth is dry despite the coffee I drank on the plane. Or maybe because of it, since I need to use the bathroom.

Instead of waiting for an introduction to our new driver, I flash a wave to a woman with a ponytail sticking out the back of a trucker hat, who is chatting up the driver of the second bus. Vespa said her name is Sam. A condition of Sam’s employment is that unless she’s behind the wheel she’s to respect our privacy, and make herself scarce.

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