Page 114 of Untethered Heart
“Mason came with me to see this place earlier. We can either renovate the existing home or knock it down and rebuild. But I want to show you something else.”
He pushes at my hips to help me to stand and walks us off the deck, around the side of the house. The dark wood is a little run down, but looks good enough. The footprint looks small compared to the size of the land, but Caleb already said he could add a guest house. I assume we’d extend the main house for what we wanted as well.
As we clear the back of the house, the land is flat, fenced in by looming Karri trees, peace encapsulated by their towering branches. Caleb walks us to the back of the property until we hit a trail, a gravel path that cuts along the coast, joining each property to the next, and when I look ahead, I’m greeted by an endless ocean.
Shrubs eventually give way to sand as the land meets the sea. Smooth rocks litter the shoreline and stretch into the water, creating natural little pools. Further up, I can see where it becomes more accessible, with steps leading down into a flat bay. Towels, umbrellas, and beach goers indulge in the cool March sun.
Sunshine competes with rain clouds more and more lately as we move into autumn, but today is idyllic. Peaceful and resolute, perfect for slowing down and embracing all that life offers.
I turn to Caleb, my hand still clutched in his, and he looks out toward the ocean with a contented smile.
“Would this make you happy?” I ask him.
This is a lot more in line with the life I’m used to, the life I was hoping for. It’s a big change from the city, which is all Caleb has known so far. He’s travelled all around the country, all around the world. Would he be content in a small town?
My mind flits back to Dylan, talking about when he might settle down. Knowing he’d want someone who wanted the same out of life as he did. Small, slow, intimate. Am I setting myself up for the same failure that my dad did, hitching myself to a person who needs bigger things? More exciting things. Justmore.
“You make me happy, Lex. All I need is you.”
I look over the ocean, then back to the trees behind us, where the tiny town lives. “I don’t want you to regret giving it all up.”
He rears back. “For starters, what am I giving up? We’re not saying goodbye to the city. I’ll still need to attend events and travel outside the state.” He smiles as he pulls me into his chest. “We’ll get to have nights where we dress up and schmooze with the big spenders, but then we get to come back here, slow down, and enjoy the moments. The only thing I’d ever regret is not spending every moment I can with you.”
I wind my hands around his neck and pull him down to seal my lips against his.
“I love you.”
He takes one hand in his and slides it down until it presses over his chest. Right where my name is inked.
“I love you, Lex. No matter where you go, I’ll follow. My heart is tethered to yours, and it’s never letting go.”
Seven Months Later
I breathe in through my nose, waiting for the feeling to pass before blowing out slowly. My hands are braced on the car where I sit immobile in the driver’s seat. A few more breaths and I can finally stand, the wave of nausea passing with each slow step toward the access door.
I grit my teeth, willing the bile to stay down. If this is what the next nine months are going to look like, this is going to suck.
When I open the door, I walk straight into the kitchen. The beautiful house Mason and Beth are building for us is perfectly placed on our parcel of land in Trevally Falls. The main residence and connected guest house curve around the property, maximising the view out of every window.
The guest house was finished last week, so we’re in the process of moving our things out there while the renovations happen on the main house over the next few months. I pause at the sink for a glass of chilled water before I find Caleb.
Once I make it past the family room, I find Marlin, our Australian Shepherd, flat on his back, legs pointed in the air as he sleeps in the doorway of his daddy’s office. We’ve only had him for two months, and already, I’m sure he’s the most spoiled dog. More than Tiny. Especially with his customised Louis Vuitton bandana. Caleb has the same pattern as a pocket square with his own initials.
I lean down to scratch his belly, laughing as he opens one eye to spy on me. He wriggles and squirms, rolling himself over so he can greet me. I drove down to Killara Bay to do some admin for the distillery and inventory for the tavern while I watched Jed as Dylan worked on his latest blend.
It’s been truly inspiring to watch Dylan transform over the last few months as he became a single dad. I was even more thankful for Caleb’s willingness to shift our lives further down south when Becca took off, leaving Jedidiah completely in Dylan’s care. I was even more grateful that Caleb’s lawyer friend, Anna, had met with Dylan and Becca before my nephew was born. I think that’s the only reason Becca managed to think of leaving a document waiving her parental rights on Dylan’s kitchen bench before she fled in the middle of the night.
Dylan hired another bar manager for the tavern to help out with the late hours so he could make sure he was spending quality time with his son, but every second weekend, Jed stayed with me and Caleb. I’m quite sure that’s the reason why I’m knocked up right now. Caleb would be all over me the second Dylan picked up Jed after a weekend with us, telling me how he couldn’t wait to see me with our own children.
It wasn’t even on my radar yet since our lives felt busy enough, but if there was anyone I could make it work with, it’s Caleb. He’s taken on his split schedule between the city and here with ease. On the weekends we don’t have Jed, we travel up to the city to see his family, as well as Claire, Lee, and Liv. Mason and Beth come down often since they’ve been working on the house.
I pick up Marlin and make my way over to Caleb, where he’s speaking to someone on the phone. He pushes back in his chair, making room for me to sit on his lap, his arm instantly coming around me as I do.
“Thanks, Iz. Talk to you later.” He hangs up and pulls the earbud from his ear, tossing it on thedesk.
“You’re back early, baby.” He smiles, rubbing a hand up and down my back. Marlin jumps out of my arms and up against his chest, licking his cheek.
“Yes, hello,” Caleb says, scratching his head and simultaneously trying to push him away from his face. “Ah, no licking.”
