Page 81 of Playing it Country

“Kid has the biggest heart, you know?”

“Not unlike his Bonus Dad.”

We exchange a smile and he nods toward his truck. “You still goin’ to see Rhea?”

“Yeah, I gotta see about a bookstore.” Otto opens his mouth but I hold up my hands in surrender. “I will let you know when I know what I’m doing.”

“Cool, and Case?” My eyes lock on his as his boot scuffs over the ground. “Keep things about the baby quiet, okay? We have that ultrasound thing in a couple of weeks so it’s still real early. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t even supposed to tell you, but it’s you, ya know?”

I snort and nod. “I get that a lot.”

“Love you, brother.”

“Love you too, man.” I grin. “Give Fallon and Briggs a hug for me.”

“I will. He’s been talkin’ about havin’ a sleepover with Uncle Case and Aunt Hannah.”

Reluctantly, he gets in his truck and takes off toward home, while I linger a little bit longer and soak up the quiet of the evening. I have two choices—be with Hannah now or be with her forever.

Spinning my keys in my hand, a sense of peace washes over me because even if this doesn’t work—it’s the closest I’ve ever been to my happily ever after.

33

HANNAH

“Iwant to show you something today,” Case says over breakfast. He was already asleep in bed when I got home last night from work. He stirred long enough to wrap his body around mine before passing out again. I’d stayed awake enjoying the feel of his warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

His stillness brought solace to every ounce of my being, and I reveled in the quiet as stars danced across the sky.

“Sure.” I nod at his request even though the daylight has stripped me of the certainty I’d felt only hours ago.

“Great. We can leave once we’ve finished eating. It’s not far.”

“Where is it?”

“It’s a surprise.”

I give him the first genuine smile of the morning and prop my elbows on the island. “I like surprises.”

“I know.”

Winking, he takes his plate and loads it into the dishwasher before heading back toward his room. Eating quickly, I do the same and then head off to brush my teeth and grab the short, striped dress I picked up at Velvet Threads when I stopped in to see Cheyenne.

Case’s eyes widen when he sees me, but he only swallows before holding out his hand to me. I take it and he leads me to his truck.

By the time we reach the Thayers’ property, I’m practically vibrating in my seat and it has nothing to do with my panties. I’m hoping beyond hope we’re going where I think we’re going. Throwing the truck in park, Case gets out and walks around the hood to open my door for me.

I’ve opened plenty of my own doors, but there’s something about the way Case moves, the look he gives me when our eyes meet, that never fails to have my heart fluttering in my chest.

“Ready?” he asks as he sets me on the ground in front of him.

“Definitely.”

We walk in companionable silence across the yard and up a hill not unlike the one I trekked over for Otto and Fallon’s engagement and wedding. It’s gorgeous out here, and I have the itch to capture the simple beauty of the tall grass kissing the Tennessee sky.

It doesn’t take long to reach our destination, but it still startles me when the magnificent building comes into view.

The greenhouse is nothing like I expected. Even with how incredible the flowers are that Case brings home, I never quite expected something this spectacular. Glass panels are fitted into reclaimed wood beams. It’s rustic and modern and wildly impressive.

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