Page 106 of One Night Only
Emily stirs before waking with a start like she’s just realized she’s in a moving vehicle and not her bed. I squeeze her thigh, looking over at her and meeting her wide eyes with a reassuring smile.
“Oh, my God, I’m so sorry I fell asleep,” she croaks, stretching languorously. Looking out the windshield at the gateway sign that hangs above the entrance, she smiles excitedly. “We’re here?”
“We sure are.” I grin. “Home sweet home.”
It’s pitch black out here, and I know she can’t see a thing, but I’m still proud to show off my home, the place I grew up. As I follow the long, rocky drive illuminated only by the headlights, I point out at the darkness, explaining what everything is. About five minutes later, the homestead comes into view up ahead, lit up like a beacon against the darkness of the night sky, and Emily gasps.
“Oh wow…” She stares out at the big house, the bunkhouse down the way by the stables, and my brother’s foreman cabin lit up like a candle in the distance.
“You ready, baby?” I squeeze her thigh, shutting off the engine.
She glances at me with a shy smile. “I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous.” I laugh. “Everybody’s so excited to meet you. I had to sneak away without Momma knowing because she was determined to come with me to the dang airport.”
She laughs softly.
“You’ll be fine, Goldie,” I assure her, ducking down to meet her gaze. “I’ve got you, remember?”
Nodding, she releases a slow breath and unfastens her seatbelt, and I quickly hop out of the truck so I can beat her to it and open the door for her.
With her hand in mine, I lead her up the path, wheeling her case next to me, but she stops and I spin around, looking down at her as she smooths down the front of her number eleven jersey, tames her hair, and tucks it behind her ears.
“Baby, you’re perfect,” I say with a knowing smile. “Stop.”
Her throat bobs with a swallow. “Did you tell them about me?”
Confused, I search her gaze. “I mean…. Yeah?”
She rolls her eyes. “No, I mean, like… do they know how old I am?”
“I told them you’re a little older, yeah.” I shrug like it’s no big deal, because it’s not a big deal. She’s literally the only person who seems to think it is.
She chews on her bottom lip, glancing at the house. “Did you tell them about my…” Waving a hand over her chest, she doesn’t need to finish that question, her eyes full of uncertainty when they meet mine.
I squeeze her hand, pulling her closer to me. “Goldie, breathe…”
She closes her eyes and does as I say, taking a deep breath before gently blowing it out.
Tucking my forefinger under her chin, I force her gaze to mine. “Emily, that’s not my story to tell. I would never tell anyone without you knowing or without you being there with me when I tell them. And if the time comes when you’re comfortable, and you want them to know, I will sit there with you and hold your hand while we tell them.” I offer her a gentle smile. “But no one, not my momma, my sister, nobody will treat you any different if or when they find out, okay?”
She releases a shuddering breath, the tension in her shoulders visibly relaxing some, and then, with a nod, she gives me that smile that I feel all the way down in my soul. I lift our entwined hands to my mouth and press a kiss to her knuckles before turning and walking the rest of the way up the path and onto the porch.
CHAPTER 43
EMILY
Idon’t even make it through the front door before I’m wrapped into an embrace so tight, I can barely breathe.
The woman pulls back and gets a good look at me, shrieking with happiness as she gushes, “Oh, my goodness, look at you!” She cups my cheeks, squeezing them. “You’re so stinkin’ gorgeous!”
Glancing sideways to see Dallas standing there just watching on with a grin, I feel my cheeks turn bright red.
“Momma, you’re gonna give her whiplash,” a female chastises half-heartedly, pulling Dallas’s mom, Joy, off me, and I look at the pretty red head now standing in front of me, offering her a thankful smile.
“I’m Millie. Dallas’s sister.” She gives her mother a sidelong glance as she continues, “You’ll have to excuse my mother. Shereallywants grandchildren, and you’re the first girl either of my brothers have brought home in like…” She trails off, glancing up in consideration before meeting my eyes again. “Well, ever.”
Millie pulls me in for a slightly less constricting hug, whispering in my ear, “Hereallyloves you.”
