Page 104 of Married With Malice

She asks the question with such timid sweetness, as if there’s a chance in hell I would refuse her.

The deep crunch in my chest opens a well of emotion and I can hear the effect in my own rough voice when I say to her, “Yes, Anni. Of course you can.”

22

ANNALISA

The first lesson to learn at Bright Hearts Ranch is that the days begin early. This is my second morning waking up in a bedroom filled with eccentric Halloween decor and even before I check the time I know that I’ll be the last one awake.

Sadie laughed when I asked if there was a reason for Halloween decorations in January.

“My BFF often spends the night here and she’s obsessed with spooky season. You’ll meet her.”

Sadie’s quirky energy is infectious. When she’s not urging me to dance with her in the living room while her favorite Elton John music spins on the vintage record player, she’s asking for my opinion on how to arrange the furniture in the baby nursery and then pushing a coat into my arms so we can go visit the four-legged residents in the luxury kennel she calls The Doghouse.

While the only thing I’ve done to deserve her enthusiasm is to exist, I’m thrilled to be included in her inner circle. Sadie loves all living creatures, she loves her ranch and most of all, she loves her husband.

Even now, as I lay here enveloped in a cozy bed while dreading the moment when I’ll be greeting the chilly air, the faint cadence of her chirpy voice echoes from somewhere in the house. From what I’ve seen, Sadie rarely sits still during her waking hours and not even being eight-and-a-half months pregnant can put a dent in her energy.

Meanwhile, I’m huddled under the covers like a hospital patient. I could swear the pumpkins, witches and bats decorating all four walls of the room are currently chastising me for laziness.

Rolling to my side, I give myself the luxury of one final decadent moment to lounge while delicious thoughts of Luca fill my head. He sleeps in another bedroom. While I passionately miss the feel of his warm, strong body, I appreciate his intentions.

We already know that the physical side of our relationship is mind-blowing and hot and consuming. But sometimes all that incredible sex has a way of blotting out everything else. Luca is sincere about proving he is invested on our marriage. If Cale and Sadie have questions about why we’re sleeping apart, they’re tactful enough not to mention it.

My husband has asked me for a date tonight. The small town of Sleepy Rock might not be brimming with sophisticated night life but we could get drive thru fast food for all I care. As long as I’m with him.

There’s music playing now. The volume is low but when I sit up and listen, I can make out the notes of Elton John singingTiny Dancer. Sadie’s attachment to Elton John borders on obsessive. She’s already pushed some vintage record albums into my arms and ordered me to bring them back to New York.

With a chuckle, I roll back the covers, jump to my feet and shiver as I collect some clothes from my suitcase before darting across the hall to the bathroom.

Though my wrist is still a little stiff from that mountainside stumble in the blizzard, I’m tired of wearing an elastic bandage so I leave it off. However, my hopes that a quick shower will leave me feeling energized and invigorated aren’t fulfilled. I am now starting to feel like the family slacker.

No matter what, I’m determined to be useful today. It’s possible I’ll be more motivated after a cup (or five) of heavily sugared caffeine. All I need to do is find some.

Two wolf-sized dogs are standing in the hallway when I emerge from the bathroom. Their tales swing around and they compete for the right to press their wet noses into my hand.

“Good morning, Zeus. Good morning, Apollo.” I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to a dog before I arrived at Bright Hearts Ranch but I’m now in the habit of greeting them the way I’d greet people.

Zeus and Apollo follow me down the hall to the kitchen. I don’t run into anyone else along the way but the sounds of Bright Hearts Ranch life have already become familiar. A litter of three-week-old puppies yaps merrily in the windowed room that’s used as an animal hospital. The neigh of a horse penetrates from the outdoors, followed by the joyful barking of the dogs currently running amok in the fenced play yard. The only unidentifiable noise is a series of sporadic hard thumps but I’ll bet this can be traced to one of Cale’s handyman projects.

Some thoughtful person has brewed a full pot of coffee and I waste no time helping myself to a cup. As I wander over to the long farmhouse sink to peer out the window, a flash of muscled skin prompts me to shove the eyelet curtain out of the way so I can get a better look.

Luca’s out there, just on the other side of the window on a bald patch of yard that contains only a flat tree stump. He’s shirtless. He’s chopping wood. A pair of battered jeans mold to his hips and the veins in his arms pop as he swings an ax down to make a clean break.

CHOP

He wears a black knit cap on his head and two days of dark beard growth shadow his jaw.

CHOP

Wow. The whole rough and rugged country boy theme was never my top pick but things can sure change in a hurry.

CHOP

Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’ve never been into anything as hard as I’m into this.

CHOP

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