Page 24 of With You Forever

“It’s so peaceful out here,” she says, her hand tangled with Seth’s.

He squeezes her tight. “You like it?”

“I do.” She inclines her head, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. “Seth, where are we?”

“We’re on our land. If you want it.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. She looks across the countryside. Looks back at Seth. “I don’t understand.”

“I’ve been meanin’ to talk to you about it ... but with everything that’s happened I damn near forgot.” His smile crinkles the corner of his eyes. “A weddin’ present from Luke and Sal.”

Lacey gasps as he gestures out at the land.

“It’s their property. But it could be ours. I know we’ve been lookin’ for houses, but we could build something. Right here.” Turning into her, his hands cup her face, his calloused thumbs sweeping over her cheekbones. “I wanna build something for you, Lace. Something perfect. A house you deserve.”

Stunned, she stares up at him. While her brain screams at her to be reasonable—the future’s unknown, foolish girl—her heart wants to hope. Wants to live. Wants to fight.

A lump forms in her throat and she turns her eyes toward the overgrown land. She never pictured herself living in the country, has always been a city girl, but there’s something so right about this land. For so long, Wild Antler Farm was her sanctuary ... and now this spot ...

It pulls at her.

A feeling of peace, of contentment, breaks through her worry and woe.

Her and Seth—they could live here. A mere mile from her sister and their family. Make their home the weekend spot for bonfires, for front porch talks, for picking parties, and suddenly, Lacey can picture their life here.

At her silence, Seth shifts, his face adorably nervous. “It don’t have to be here, though. Wherever you want, princess. Mansion or doublewide, I’ll get it.”

Lacey immediately starts to shake her head. “No.” She grabs his shirt. “Here. I love it here.”

His ocean-blue eyes shine. “Good.”

“I feel safe here,” she admits, tilting her head to take in the million-dollar view. “Like I could come to this spot when everything’s wrong and somehow it would all be okay.”

“Itwillbe okay.” Pain rolls over Seth’s handsome face, but as quick as it comes, it’s gone, confidence and determination settling in. “This is a lot, I know it is, but, princess, we’ll get through it.” His voice breaks. “I love you so goddamn much. I’m here, by your side, and I ain’t leavin’. I’m with you, Lace. This is our fight together.”

Tears fill her eyes at the strength, the certainty in his voice. “I know you are.”

Seth steps closer to tuck her into his strong arms. His mouth lowers to the crown of her head, his sweet kiss sweeping over her. “We take it one day at a time. One breath, one heartbeat at a time, okay, princess?”

She tips back to look up at him, hope burning a fire through her. “We do. We will.”

She inhales the cool March air, letting his comforting words reassure her.

She is okay. She is here with Seth.

Curling into his arms, she asks, “Now what?”

He grins. “We got a piece of dirt, princess. Now we build.”

He pulls her into him, not letting her loose. Lacey rests her head on his shoulder as they stare out on their land, syncing breaths, heartbeats, lives.

With Seth she feels steady. Healthy.

In Seth’s arms, right here, right now, it feels like everything will be okay.

“Lacey Sutton?”

Lacey nods as the woman at the bridal store gives her a big bright smile. “That’s me. I got a call saying my dresses are in.”

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