Page 56 of Whiskey Kisses For the Mountain Man
“The long one?” he asks.
I nod, smiling a bit maniacally. Chuckling, he kisses my lips and then heads downstairs.
I grab a box cutter and open the package. “Omylanta, they’re perfect.”
I’m in awe, taking out the large sunflowers, realistic peaches as ornaments, and a garland to wrap around.
“Lettie,” Grace gasps.
“Right?” I hop in place.
“They look better than they did online,” Camille remarks.
“Where you want this?” Owen is back, dragging a long box.
“Set it down.”
We open it and reveal the fake but realistic bare Christmas tree.
“Wait,” Owen says. “Why are we bringing this up here?”
Camille and Grace snicker as they return to start the snack plates. We’re going to be here all day.
“We’re setting it up,” I turn and point at the perfect corner. “There.”
“For Christmas?” he asks, adorably confused.
Smiling, I shake my head. “For now.”
Silence. “It’s summer.”
“Exactly. And these,” I point inside the delivery box, “are to decorate my Summer Tree!”
“Snowflake,” he starts.
“People do this, Owen, trust me. It’s perfectly common. It’s what I post content-wise in the off-season. I find new themes and ornamental ideas for tree decorations for Spring, Summer, Fall, Halloween, and of course, Christmas. Only reason I didn’t keep the tree up for Spring was because the cabin was too small. I didn’t want to overwhelm your space.”
“It was our space.”
“I know.” I hold his hand and squeeze. “But now, there’s plenty of space.”
Staring into the box, he already looks exhausted. Ezra chuckles, slapping him on the shoulder.
“Don’t fight it. I’ve learned to just lean into the crazy antics Sweet Cheeks ropes me into.”
“You love it, don’t lie,” Zoe calls out from the kitchen.
Owen pulls me in his arms, and I melt, as always, into his strong, reliable embrace.
“Our first home,” I whisper, my cheeks hurting from joy.
“I love building life with you,” he says.
The sincerity in his voice and expression almost causes my eyes to well up. The first few months, Owen needed time alone to just sit and battle his demons. I gave him the space he needed, though every part of me wanted to fix it for him. But even with all his struggles, he never failed to immediately seek me out after and show me he loves me, even when words elude him.
I’ve never feared Owen would stray or leave me. When he tells me he loves me, my heart gets light and fluttery. Not justfrom the words he says, but his eyes, the way he looks deep into my soul when he says them.
“Nine more months,” I grin. “I’ll be tied to you forever.”
