Page 84 of Come Back for Me
I’m not even sure if I should love him, but here I am, hopelessly feeling as if I don’t have a choice in it. I love him. I think I might’ve fallen in love with him that night eight years ago and I’m only just now allowing myself to acknowledge it.
“You?”
“I wanted to say that it means a lot to me.”
“You mean a lot to me, Ellie.”
“And I feel the same about you.”
He brings my palm to his mouth and kisses it. “I’ll be right back.”
I get up and watch him walk toward the bathroom, feeling guilty that he was left unsatisfied, but then he turns and winks. He’s truly the best man in the world, and for now, he’s mine.
After a few minutes, he returns, and I’m sated and full of contentment as Connor wraps his arms around me and we snuggle on the couch. He pushes play, and I burst out laughing at his movie choice. Only Connor would pickBeauty and the Beast.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ellie
It’s the most beautiful fall day I’ve ever seen. The cool air is clean and crisp, and the sun is bright, illuminating every gorgeous color in the leaves. I stand on the porch with a cup of coffee, staring out at the cornucopia of reds and oranges that seem to soothe my soul.
Connor, Hadley, and I are going out for an adventure today. I have no idea what we’re doing, but I was told to dress warm because we’ll be outside.
Surprises used to be unwelcome, but with Connor, I never worry. He is beyond thoughtful, and each day I’m around him, I fall further in love with him.
Since the night on the couch a week ago, we haven’t fooled around a bit, and it’s all I seem to think about. When he brushes by me in the hall, I want to grab him and kiss him. He finds these little ways to touch me without reallytouchingme. It’s driving me nuts.
“Mommy! Where do you think we’re going?” Hadley asks, breaking the calm of the early morning I was savoring.
“I’m not sure, peanut. What do you think?”
“I think he’s taking us horseback riding.”
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. “Does he have a horse?”
To be honest, I have no idea what Connor has on this farm other than a lot of work. He’s been working on the barn and all the equipment in it since we got here. When he fixed the tractor yesterday, you would’ve thought he won the lottery. He was so overjoyed it was comical to watch.
“No . . .” I see the wheels turning. “You don’t think he thinks we can ride the cows, do you?”
I chuckle and shake my head. “I think he knows better.”
“Are you sure? He’s not really good with the cows.”
She isn’t wrong. Thankfully, the foreman, Joe, and the workers on what was my farm love me and came here to help Connor. They hated Kevin and were all too happy to leave him, especially after they found out he beat me.
We’ve moved the Walcott cows onto Arrowood land to ensure nothing happened to them, but Kevin’s farm is no longer functioning.
“I guess we could let him know if he tries it,” I say conspiratorially. “But he seemed really excited.”
“Mommy, is it okay if I love Connor?”
Her question knocks the air from my lungs. She and Connor have become very close, and he’s made it very clear he wants Hadley and me in his life. “Yes, baby, it’s very okay that you love him.”
“Good, because I do.”
“I’m glad. He loves you too.”
She beams. “I know, he told me. Do you think Daddy will be mad?”
