I rolled my eyes but didn’t slow or respond.
“Got here just in time, as usual,” Sawyer called out to where Hunter was heading toward us from the barn. “I’mma go wait for food.”
“Those two are always so helpful,” I teased when I met up with Hunter.
A hum of agreement sounded in his throat as he wrapped me up in his arms, his lips teasing the base of my neck and making me all weak. “Speaking of helpful . . . what do you think about a truck and our spot? Watching the sun come up and helping you out of those shorts?”
I pushed at his stomach just to pull him back, a giggle tumbling free. “You really don’t like these shorts.”
“Madison,” he said, voice soft and low. “All I can think about is taking them off.” He nipped at my ear before placing a kiss just below it. “Trust me, I like them.”
“I’ll get the coffee?” I said breathlessly, the claim sounding more like a question.
“I’ll get blankets.”
We hurried back to the house and went separate ways, my steps slowing when I found Mrs. Dixon in the kitchen, prepping breakfast.
“Well, good morning!” she called out.
“Good morning,” I echoed and prayed I didn’t look half as flushed as I felt. I headed for the sink to clean up and tried to think about anything other than what was to come.
“You and Hunter headed out?”
“Yes ma’am,” I said as I dried my hands.
“Thought so,” she said with a smile, lifting her chin toward the island. “Got y’alls thermos all ready to go.”
“Oh, thank you.” I headed over to where our usual thermos waited, cradling it in my hands. “I appreciate it.”
She waved me off. “Y’all just don’t be out too long, I’ll have breakfast ready soon.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Hunter answered for me as he snuck into the kitchen, arms free of the blankets he’d probably already stashed in the truck.
At his entrance, Mrs. Dixon turned to fully face him. “Y’all be careful. Madi’s parents are gonna kill me if y’all get hurt.”
“Mom,” Hunter said with a soft laugh, “you say that every day.”
She tsked. “And I’ll continue to. Now, get.”
Hunter grabbed my hand and whisked me out of the house and to the ranch truck. It was old and boxy and perfect, I loved it.
Both he and Beau had been driving it since long before they were legally allowed to—only on the Dixon property, of course. And Hunter had been using it to steal me away to our spot for over a year now.
Over a year of sunrises after morning chores and secret moments when everyone else was at the lake. Of learning each other and experiencing the purest form of bliss.
Like then.
Parked at the far corner of the orchard. The bed of the truck cushioned with blankets. The sky transforming around us with brilliant oranges and pinks and purples. Hunter’s mouth on mine and his fingers doing sinful things to me as I rocked my hips, searching for that high.
That bliss.
He paused when he lowered me onto his length, his eyes searching me as something indescribable passed across his face. “Always knew you glowed.”
My brows pulled together as he held me suspended on the edge of tumbling into that freefall.
Without taking his stare from me, he tapped on the truck’s back windows, pulling my attention there. To the reflection of the sun’s rays bursting around me.
Then he was pulling my mouth back to his, love and adoration pouring from him as he once again claimed me—heart, body, and soul.
Despite the playful teases and promises, we hadn’t done much more than collapse into the large garden tub. Hunter had pulled me against his body and leaned his head back against the edge. I’d nearly fallen asleep the second I settled against his chest.
Comfort and security and love.
That’s what I was wrapped in. That’s what I was leaving.
My conversation with Raf danced along the edges of my mind. Keeping me from falling into the sleep that was waiting to claim me and mixing with a conversation from thirteen years ago.
Haunting me.
“Then, I’ll go!” I’d cried out all those years ago. Trembling when it felt like that offer started the process of ripping out my soul. “I’ll go, I’ll leave. Just don’t do this.”
I’d thought I was sacrificing myself for everyone else. Bearing the pain of a destroyed heart and soul so they wouldn’t have to. In the end, I wasn’t sure I’d done anything other than ruin all our lives anyway.
I felt myself being pulled deeper and deeper into sleep when Hunter murmured, “I love you, Madison.”
And it moved straight through me. Taking my heart and holding tight.
“More than there are words,” I said in response and felt it down to my bones that I would do whatever it took to come back to the man holding me. “I’m coming back.”
His hands tightened against me. “I know.”
I sat up, sloshing water as the entire situation presented itself in front of me with stark clarity. “He can’t do this,” I said, my words slightly frenzied from the excitement of my revelation.
Hunter sat up with me. Hands on me and dark brows pulled close as he waited.
“Any offer Rafael takes means nothing to me because I am no longer his wife,” I said, stumbling over the words a little. “Well, you know—the those still have to be signed and whatever. But my point is: If he moved anywhere in the world now, I wouldn’t go with him. Which means we would have to figure out something that worked for Avalee.” I pressed a hand to my chest, my throat tightening with emotion. “That has to include Seattle.”
Hunter looked like he was struggling so damn hard to rein in his excitement. After a deep breath, he leveled me with a look like he was trying to keep us both clear-headed.
“Your thoughts last night were all about Avalee being able to handle something like this. About having her somewhere her dad wasn’t.” One of his hands lifted to gently curl around my neck, bringing me closer. “I want you here. With me. Always. And I will do whatever it takes to make this work, whether you come back a few days after you leave, or in another ten years. But I need to make sure you don’t forget why you planned on going back in the first place.”
I nodded as he spoke. “I know . . . I know. But like I just said, Raf might go anywhere. Maybe not Dallas, just to spite me. But, Sounders offered him a final year. He’s at retiring age, but he is nowhere near ready to retire. I know him, he’ll want a longer contract if it feels right. So, the possibility of him moving somewhere else is high. And if he doesn’t?” I lifted one of my shoulders. “I would do anything for my daughter, I would. But keeping myself from where I’m meant to be is going to affect me. She’ll see it. Maybe not now, but one day. She deserves a mom who is whole and happy.”
Hunter’s head moved in faint nods. His expression a devastating mixture of relief and joy and desire. “You’re coming back.”
“Yes.”
He pulled me closer until I was straddling him. “To me.”
A little laugh bubbled free. “I thought we already covered this?”