Page 108 of Buckled in Barbwire

Paisley sighs and drapes herself halfway on top of me. “I’ll make a romantic out of you yet, husband.”

“Don’t doubt it for a second.” Shit, I’m already a sap for this woman. “In case you didn’t notice, I don’t open up easily. I’ve never expressed myself with a wide range of feelings. Until you.”

“That semi-sweet side might be earning its full potential,” she croons.

“You bring out these visceral reactions. I don’t need to bottle it up when you’re here.” My next exhale is a loud stream. “Ever since my mom died, there’s this hole inside of me that just gapes open. I buried myself in work, pushing to make more money. Anything to ignore the pain. It worked in keeping me numb. But what kind of life is that? I have my dad to thank for snapping me out of it. Without his contractual obligation, I would’ve ignored the greatest gift practically dropped at my feet.”

“Don’t let Bianca hear you give him all the credit. She put me directly in your path to begin with,” Paisley reminds.

“Both of them had an equal influence,” I amend.

“And we’re grateful.”

“Pure sunshine, wife.” I drop a kiss on her forehead. “We didn’t know each other at the funeral, but I knew your connection to my mom. There was this… animosity building inside of me against you. I was jealous of your relationship with her. Such an effortless attachment that thrives on emotional support. Loyal and fierce and irreplaceable. It’s similar to what she shared with Bianca, but I can’t hate my sister for it.”

“But you could resent me.” The pain in her voice cuts me deep.

“Unfairly so,” I murmur. “Mom would talk about you,and I’d tune her out. Fuck, that makes me feel like such an asshole now.”

“It’s okay.” Paisley lifts a palm to cradle my clenched jaw. “We found our way.”

The ache in my chest softens into a dull pang. My gaze shifts to the sky as my pulse soars. “I feel her presence a lot.”

Paisley focus follows mine. “I do too.”

“Yeah?”

“Especially since we’ve gotten together. I think she approves.” She blinks rapidly, shuttering unshed tears.

I hold her left hand in mine, our rings clinking together. “It’s the barbwire.”

Her nail traces along a strand of my tattoo. “We’re buckled and bound and beloved.”

A sting burns across the bridge of my nose. “If only she were here to see it.”

Another strong gust whips across the open field and my wife shivers. “Maybe she is.”

Comfortable silence descends like a warm blanket. I’d originally thought this emotional overload would lead to us making love. That no longer feels right in this moment. A better alternative surfaces, settling deep in my bones.

“Can I just”—I gulp around the lump in my throat and crush her impossibly closer—“hold you for a little while?”

Paisley sniffles while snuggling into me. “I’d love nothing more.”

“Psssst.” That insistent noise tries to barge into my fantasy again.

I swat at the pest before rolling over to get pulled under again. It’s such a vivid dream. Brody was just about to—

“Paisley.” The low whisper breathes against my ear. “Wake up.”

I fling upright off the pillows, the blanket falling to expose my nakedness. “Whuh?”

Bianca slaps a palm over her eyes. “Good grief. Put some clothes on and meet me downstairs. Hurry.”

Muscles still snoozing, I tumble out of bed in a disheveled heap. The sheets are tangled around my ankles. That reminds me of how they got there. I sigh, arching in a lazy stretch. But then I remember Bianca’s impatience.

Grumbles trip from me as I force myself off the floor. My movements are sluggish while I get dressed. Brody is already gone, most likely holed up in his office. Somemornings, he’s still snoring beneath me. Others, like this one, give me the grace to lumber around without disturbing him. A glance in the mirror is a mistake. My fingers begin working on untangling blonde snarls while I make small strides in the right direction.

The instant my hand grips the knob, the door is wrenched open. I pitch forward directly into Bianca. My friend shoves me upright and spins us around. It’s all a blur as she hustles me along the hallway.

---