Page 117 of Fight for Me
“I said hello.”
“And then you mentioned that he should be home.”
“So you pissed him off, and I get the brunt?” Dec asks.
“Yup. I love the way that worked out.”
He rolls his eyes. “I have a surprise.”
“For me?”
“Yes, love, for you. Come on.” Declan’s hand is extended toward me, so I take it.
We get outside and I inhale deeply with my eyes closed. It feels so good to be out here. The sun is warm on my face, humidity is low since it’s still early morning, and the sky is the brightest blue.
“You have no idea how much I hate feeling cooped up.”
“I think I do.” Declan stops me, facing me toward him. “I want you to put this on, and not complain.”
I look down at the black tie and raise a brow. “You want me to put just this on? I mean, we’re out in the open, Dec. Jimmy can see from the window and the farmhands are all over.”
He looks heavenward and then back to me. “As appealing as the idea of you naked in nothing but my tie is, us being outside in the early morning while that happens isn’t what I had in mind. I meant to put it over your eyes.”
“Oh!” Now it makes sense. “A blindfold.”
“Yes, love.”
“Lead with where you want the tie next time.” I pat his chest.
Declan laughs and then helps me tie it on. “Can you see?”
I move my head a bit, trying to see anything, but it’s all black. “Not a damn thing.”
He turns me around twice. “Am I pinning the tail on something?”
“No, but you’re the worst person to try to surprise since you watch and note everything, so, I’m hedging my bets.”
He’s right. I am the worst. I’m having a baby shower in a few weeks. They tried to make it a surprise, but he was acting weird, so I snooped and found out about it. It was really sweet that he tried though. I did my best not to let on that I knew, but a few days ago I mentioned that the train theme was lame, and blew up my spot.
I’m pretty sure he wanted to choke me.
Still, we are now having a zoo theme, which is what I’m decorating Deacon’s room in.
“Are we there yet?” I ask, hating the darkness.
“Just a little farther.” Declan holds my hands, pulling me along. I have no idea what his grand surprise is, but the fact that I’m out of the house is enough to make me euphoric.
The last few weeks, I’ve felt wonderful, but my overbearing nurse has made me absolutely certifiable. I can’t go to work, drive anywhere, walk too much, or stress because it’s not good for the baby.
I swear, I could beat him.
Which leads me to try my hand at subterfuge to stay busy.
“All right,” Dec says as we come to a stop.
I inhale, and can smell the just cut wood, fresh paint, and traces of hay. His hands move to the tie, slowly lifting it from my head.
My eyes widen in shock. This was my barn a month ago. It was a small office with farm equipment below, and stalls that we didn’t use for anything other than storage.
