Page 61 of Simply Yours

“What if you made this the master?” she said, turning to him, eyes bright. “Put the bed on this wall so you could see the view... and...”

“Yes.”

The word left him before she’d even finished; because she was right. Of course, she was right. He’d already imagined it—this room, his room.Theirroom. His bed was currently on the floor in one of the old sitting rooms, but someday, he would want privacy and something different. The thought hit him so hard he had to shove his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching for her.

She hesitated as they stepped into the next space. This one was smaller and cozier. She swept her gaze around, chewing on her lower lip.

“This room is a little smaller than the other,” she said slowly, her voice just a touch softer now. “But you could make the other room down the hall a nursery… or an office.”

A pause.

A heartbeat.

She looked away, but not before he caught it—the flicker of something deep, something raw in her eyes.

Good.

Because if she was feeling this—thisthingbetween them—then maybe he wasn’t the only one standing on the edge of something terrifyingly wonderful.

Jason swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. His gaze flickered to the walls, but all he saw was the picture forming in his mind—Caitlin curled up in that master bedroom, reading late into the night. A tiny, chubby-cheeked baby in this very room, reaching for him, calling himDaddy.

The thought rocked him so hard that he had to brace himself against the doorway.

Marriage had never been something he gave much thought to until he walked his sister down the aisle. It was always this vague, distant thing, a possibility for someone else—not him. But lately? Lately, things have been shifting. His world was shifting. And ever since he’d found his mother’s ring in the barn, the idea had taken root.

A sign.

Maybe that’s what it was.

Maybe his parents were watching over him, nudging him toward something he hadn’t been brave enough to want before. Maybe it washisturn for happiness.

But if he ever took that step—if he ever gave Caitlin his name, his future, his heart—he had to besure. It wasn’t just companionship, breathtaking kisses, sweet moments, and all those wonderful smiles. It was more – so much more, because she deserved the world.

She deservedeverything.

And even though he didn’t think he was anywhere near good enough for her, he sure as heck would spend the rest of his life making sure she never noticed.

Twelve

CAITLIN

Caitlin gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white as she swerved into the gas station, her eyes locking onto the familiar truck with the Baird Farm logo stamped on the door. Relief washed over her—it wasn’t Jason.

Instead, it was Matthew, who was now leaning casually against the pump, grinning like an idiot as he filled his tank. The way his shoulders shook with barely contained laughter at her expense only fueled her frustration.

“Help me out,” she hissed, stepping out of her car and crossing her arms.

Matthew didn’t even pretend to take her seriously. He tilted his head back, his grin widening. “You are really sweating this, aren’t you?”

“Obviously! I have no idea what to get Jason for his birthday. I’ve been racking my brain, and I’m coming up blank. What does he even like? Would he want a book? A new pair of boots? Or maybe…”

“Forget it.” Matthew shook his head, his laughter spilling over as he watched her struggle. “It’s just my grumpy brother’s birthday. He’ll probably find some reason to complain, just like last year.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Last year, you told me you spray-painted a hay bale to look like a giant cupcake.”

Matthew puffed up his chest, feigning pride. “And it was a masterpiece.”

Caitlin shot him a pointed look. “You said he was mad about it.”

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