“Hey, how did lunch go with Abby?”
I looked back at the closed garage door. “Well, considering she’s asleep in my bed, I think it went well.”
“What? Dude, you slept with her? Are you…does this mean what I think it does?”
I couldn’t help the smile that grew across my face. “After a rough start and some honest talking, yeah. One thing led to another, and I asked her to move back in.”
“Holy shit. I thought maybe you guys would talk, hopefully make up…but this is great, Bishop! I mean, this is good, right?”
“Yeah, man, it’s good. Really good.”
“I’m really happy for you, dude. You two belong together—everyone knew it.”
I rubbed at the back of my neck. “Do you think we’re moving too fast? I mean…she’s not on the pill, and we just slept together twice with no protection.”
“Bishop, it’s not like the two of you just met. You’ve been miserable without Abby. And from what Greer tells me, Abby has been miserable without you. No, I don’t think you’re moving too fast. I mean, I thought maybe once you got back together, you’d want to spend some time with one another, but hey. Whatever happens will happen for a reason. The only two people who matter are the two of you. Hell, I’m surprised you didn’t haul her off to the Justice of the Peace to get remarried.”
I let out a strangled laugh. “I thought about it.”
“Listen, I say whatever makes the two of you happy, do it. Who gives a shit about anyone else?”
Smiling, I replied, “This is why I like you the best.”
A roar of laughter came through the phone.
I could feel my face fall as I realized how damn lucky I was to have Kyle in my life. I cleared my throat. “Seriously, thank you, Kyle. You’ve always been there for me, through the tough times and the good.”
“And I always will. You know what this means though. Hunter and I are the only two single ones left.”
“Did you see him with Arabella the other night at the girls’ little slumber party? The way the two of them looked at each other? You can’t tell me there aren’t still feelings there. If Abby hadn’t pulled Arabella away, they probably would have kissed.”
“I saw. Trust me, I saw. I think the issue goes a bit deeper on Arabella’s side.”
“What happened when you took the two of them hiking?”
Kyle remained silent on the phone. Then he said, “I can’t, dude. It’s not my place to say anything, and honestly, I don’t really know anything. But…I suspect something.”
“I know something bad happened to her in college. Abby knows, but she’s never told me.”
Kyle sighed. “Yeah, it’s something she needs to work out. I’ve already mentioned it to Aiden. I’m hoping maybe he can get her to open up to someone at his clinic.”
“The therapist Abby and I are gonna visit also works for Aiden.”
“Really? I’m glad Abby is open to going. I know you still go.”
“Yeah, I’m going to have to break the news to Callie that I’m seeing someone new.”
Kyle laughed. “I’m sure she’ll understand. Seriously though, Bishop, I’m happy you’re happy.”
“Thanks, Kyle.”
“Do you need anything for tonight?”
“Nope, just bring yourself. Are you bringing a date?”
He let out a cynical laugh. “Nah. I think I’m going to take a step back and focus on work for a bit. Women make my head hurt.”
I rolled my eyes. “Tell me about it. I’ll see you later.”
“See ya soon.”
After I hung up with Kyle, I made my way back into the house and started to clean up the kitchen.
I felt Abby’s presence before I even turned and saw her. She wrapped her warm arms around my waist, and I heard her take in a deep breath through her nose. God, this felt like old times. As if we’d simply picked up where we’d left off before she’d lost the baby.
“You smell so good,” she said. “Oh, how I’ve missed this smell. It’s like pine trees and spice mixed together in a delicious concoction.”
Turning in her arms, I leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. “You’re more than welcome to spread my scent all over you, anytime you like.”
She smiled up at me. “Let me help you clean. When is everyone coming over?”
“In a little under two hours.”
“Let me take care of this—you go do what you need to do.”
I watched as Abby moved around the kitchen like she’d never left. “Are you sure?”
She nodded and shooed me away with her hand. “I’m sure. Go do your thing, I’ve got this.”
Kissing her once more, I started to turn, but then stopped and faced her. “You’re staying, right? I mean, you’re not leaving, are you?”
Her eyes looked misty for a moment before she gave me a sweet smile. “I’m staying. I was thinking maybe I should go home and grab some things, so I could stay the night. Then we can talk more about me potentially moving back in? If that’s what you really want.”
It only took me two steps to reach her, pull her into my arms, and kiss her again. Then another two seconds to start undoing her pants.
Giggling, she asked, “Bishop, what are you doing?”
I snuck my hand into her jeans, and she gasped when I slipped one finger inside of her. I placed my mouth next to her ear and whispered, “I’m going to make love to my wife in our kitchen.”
Two hours later, the fire was going in the pit down by the barn, and our guests were set to show up at any moment. After making love to Abby on our kitchen floor earlier, we’d both gotten to work. She’d cleaned up the inside of the house in record time and had come out to help me set up everything for the night. We had stuff for s’mores, hot dogs, and hot apple cider, as well as hot chocolate.
Abby walked up and handed me a beer before she sat down on one of the chairs around the firepit. “I called my folks.”
I lifted the beer to my mouth and took a drink. “And?”
“I told them we’d been talking and working through things…and that I was going to move back in with you.”
I lifted a brow. “What did your dad say?”
A wide smile appeared on her face. “His exact words were, ‘It’s about damn time.’”
Laughing, I shook my head. “That’s pretty much what my folks said too. I told them you’ve been here all day.”
She chewed on her lip nervously.
“Hey,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “They love you, Abby. I filled them in a bit and told them we’re going to counseling together. My mom just wants to see you and hug you the moment they get back.”
Abby wiped a tear from her cheek.
Standing, I tugged on her hand. “Come here.”
She stood, and I leaned down to kiss her before I sat again and brought her down with me. She threw her legs over the arm of the chair and snuggled into my chest as we both took in the moment. The fire popping was one of my favorite sounds. Past the firepit was an endless view of frasiers, spruce, pines, and balsams. All covered with a light dusting of snow.