Page 101 of All of Me

“Are you kidding?” I say, resting my hand on the back of her chair. “They’re going to love it. It’s the perfect mix of funny and sweet, just like us.”

Her smile widens. She leans back into me, letting out a content sigh. I let myself just soak in the moment—the scent of glue, the hum of a nearby fan drying paint, and the woman I’m about to marry.

The thought of our wedding, our life together, and everything we’ve planned fills my chest with warmth. But underneath that, there’s still a flicker of uncertainty, a question I’ve been avoiding bringing up for weeks.

“So,” I say, keeping my tone light as I grab one of the mason jar centerpieces she’s just finished. “We’ve got two kids now… and you’re talking about two more someday. Where exactly are we going to be raising all these little monsters?”

Callie tilts her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Oh, is this your subtle way of saying you’re rethinking the whole two-more-kids thing?”

“Not a chance,” I say, chuckling. “But I’ve been thinking about… logistics. You know, where we’re going to live long-term.”

Her expression shifts , her brow furrowing, and I brace myself for hesitation or even pushback. Instead, her face lights up unexpectedly.

“Oh, I’ve thought about it,” she says casually, setting her chalk down and turning to face me fully.

“You have?” I ask, caught off guard.

“Of course,” she replies. “I’ve always kind of hoped I’d end up leaving Hawkridge someday. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but this town… I don’t know. It feels small. Like I’ve outgrown it. And now that we’re building a life together, I think Cedar Bluff could be a really good place for us.”

Her words knock the wind out of me. I’m sure I heard her wrong. “Wait… really? You’d want to move to Cedar Bluff?”

Callie laughs softly, reaching for my hand. “Yes, Owen. I know how much Barrett means to you, and I want us to be close to him. Besides, you’ve seen how well the girls do when they’re all together. It just makes sense.”

Relief floods through me, washing away the tension that’s been gnawing at me for weeks. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d been dreading this conversation until now.

“I don’t even know what to say,” I admit, running a hand over my hair.

“Say you’ll keep building us a home wherever we end up,” she says simply, her voice warm and steady.

“I can do that,” I say, pulling her into my arms. “I can absolutely do that.”

The weight I’ve been carrying for weeks finally lifts, replaced with hope and excitement for the future we’re building. As Callie leans up to kiss me, her warmth anchors me to this moment. I know without a doubt no matter where we go, no matter what we face, we’ll make it ours. This life, messy and imperfect, is ours to mold and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The next afternoon, the warm ambiance ofBrooked & Brewedwraps around me as I step inside, the familiar bell jingling overhead. It’s quieter than usual and I just might use that to my advantage. “I’ll be right with you,” a familiar voice calls from the back room. A few empty mugs sit abandoned on the tables, and I start gathering them up before heading toward the kitchen of the coffee shop in hopes of helping Callie clean up early.

She doesn’t notice me at first, too lost in her task as she wipes down the kitchen counters, so I linger for a second, just watching her. She’s so beautiful like this–focused, calm, and completely unaware of the effect she has on me. She has her hair pulled up in a messy bun, a few escaping strands frame her face, and her black apron is dusted with flour from what I can only assume would have been a hilarious episode to witness earlier in the day.

“Excuse me,” I say, leaning against the doorframe and flashing her my best grin. “Is it too late to order a hot little snack to-go?”

Callie’s head snaps up, her eyes widening in surprise before a smile spreads across her face and her cheeks turn pink. “Owen,” she says, setting down the rag she was using to wipe the counters. Her voice is soft, but the happiness in it wraps around me like a warm blanket. “What are you doing here?”

“Thought I’d surprise you,” I say, shrugging. “I got back in town early and wanted to steal some time from you before I pick up the girls from your sister. It seems quiet in here today.”

Callie shakes her head, a small laugh escaping her as she walks toward me. “It’s been dead all afternoon. I was just about to start cleaning up and calling it a day.”

“Perfect timing, then,” I say, stepping aside to let her pass and stealing a quick kiss from her. “I already started gathering the mugs from the tables. Need any more help?”

She raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Help from you here? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.”

“Hey, I’ve got skills,” I protest, sliding my hands into my pockets. “Besides, it can’t be any more disastrous than whatever led to you being covered in flour,” I say with a wink.

She laughs, shaking her head. “Alright, hero. Lock the door for me while I finish back in the kitchen.”

I do as she says, flipping the sign toClosedand turning the deadbolt. When I return, Callie’s already disappeared into the kitchen again, so I follow her, the smell of fresh coffee grounds stronger with every step.

She’s standing by the sink, rinsing out a few mugs, her back to me. The sight of her there, so small but so strong, makes my chest ache in the best way. I step closer, wrapping my arms around her waist, and she jumps slightly before leaning into me.

“You scared me,” she says, but no real annoyance in her voice.

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