Page 100 of Returning Your Love
Typical us.
When we’d bought the fixer-upper on Pippen Creek Pond, we’d taken on quite the task. The two-bedroom, three-season cabin was basically a shack in need of a total rehab. Jamie had paid cash for the property on PCP’s northern side, and we’d focused hard on settling as quickly as possible. Fucking each other interrupted more often than not, but we’d managed to get shit done.
Shelly’s and my old home hadn’t been the best place for Jamie and I to spend the first couple of months of our relationship, but we’d made it work without too much difficulty. It’d been interesting to see the sides of him I hadn’t before, being up in each other’s spaces like a couple of new roommates, but we had makeup fucking to look forward to at the end of every spat.
Our arguments were nothing like I was used to because I was assured of Jamie’s love and appreciation each and every day. The man’s liberal spewing of positivity had done wonders for my still struggling self-esteem, and he’d never once made me feel like a failure. Quite the opposite. I’d won the goddamned lottery, and everyone we came across in town seemed to agree. Not onenegative word had been spoken about me moving on too quickly or being with a man instead of another woman.
Wouldn’t have really mattered if someone had.
He and I were happy together, and that was all I cared about.
“Love you,” I murmured against his semi and glanced up again.
His dark blue eyes poured the same sentiment down over me like warm sunshine. “Love you too, baby.”
“Steak?” I reminded him, pulling my fingers out of his hot ass and wiping them on the edge of his apron.
“Got plenty of meat right here for you.”
I slapped his backside, and we both laughed.
Jamie moved away again, and I enjoyed the flexing of his ass cheeks before turning my gaze to the lake past him and the sun sinking behind the pine trees beyond. Another gorgeous May evening, not quite warm enough for nudity in my opinion, but Jamie hated clothes.
We were nestled in a cove similar to Coach Bernard’s property, mere minutes from downtown and my shop. The perfect little hideaway for two lovers who didn’t want to be disturbed.
Jamie was leaving for the academy tomorrow, and while I was excited for him, I’d grown accustomed to having him here at our cabin twenty-four-seven. I looked forward to getting home after work more than I’d ever imagined I could.
Who wouldn’t enjoy open arms, a smile, and soft lips greeting them at the door? Never mind the muscular body clutching at mine, evidence of happiness over seeing me rock hard and needy. Jamie got on his knees more often than not, making quick work of my coveralls to get at my dick. At least we had a nice, cushiony rug in the entry, which protected his knees from the refurnished hardwood floor beneath, and he loved the fuck out of my musk. His words exactly, but I couldn’t be grossedout since my nose ended up in his armpit every morning and sometimes while fucking.
While we’d hired a local contractor to do most of the rehab, Jamie had taken an active part in the lesser jobs to keep busy. While I’d logged in ten-hour days at the shop, he’d spent the previous two months ripping up carpet and sanding the oak floors beneath and repainting every single wall, trim around the newly installed windows, and baseboard after the central AC and heating system was upgraded. The bathroom had been updated—with a shower big enough for the both of us—and Jamie had tackled all the tile work too.
The kitchen would have to wait. We’d run out of time since my old house had sold and we’d needed to move into our love shack, as Babs called it. Jamie also didn’t want our home life in disarray while he was at the academy. We were also more than happy with grilling most of our dinners since food always tasted better if it arrived on a plate fresh off of flames anyway.
“Want to eat out here or go inside?” I asked, noting goose bumps on his arms. I’d been smart enough to wear a long-sleeved T-shirt, my favorite faded black one with the stretched neck.
“Inside.”
Smirking, I stood out of my favorite chair and slid open the slider leading into our small kitchen. We had plans to tear out this exterior wall and build an addition. The open concept kitchen slash living room would double in size, and a larger deck would allow us to entertain on occasion. Not that we would host a holiday other than the Fourth of July when the outdoors and lake could be put to good use.
Maybe next year.
I made Jamie put on shorts before sitting down at the island we used as our dining room table since the space wasn’t bigenough for one. We nestled in, side by side, shoulders and elbows brushing as we chowed down.
“I left work early today to go see Shelly’s mom,” I said, bringing up the single dim spot in the new life I’d found living with Jamie.
“How’s she doing?”
“Not well.”
I’d gotten a voicemail that hospice had been called in, and I’d wanted to see her at least one more time even if she wouldn’t be aware of my visit.
“I’m sorry,” Jamie offered quietly, leaning over to kiss my temple.
“She’s unconscious now. It won’t be long.” My throat tightened as my old friend grief weaved sadness through my heart as it did on occasion. I didn’t ignore the emotion or try to distract myself, simply let it be and experienced the ache that sometimes settled in my chest.
Shelly and her mom would no longer watch sunsets over the lake or enjoy sunshine on their faces, but memories of them doing so would always be with me. That part of my life might be over, but I would always carry the best of it in my mind and remember to be thankful for what I now had.
Jamie and I didn’t talk a whole lot over the rest of our meal, both of us wrapped up in our own thoughts. I expected he focused on tomorrow, then the beginning of a new career with his Dad on Pippen Creek’s police force once he graduated.
