Page 90 of Minus

It was in rough shape (except the barn, which was to die for), but it was something we could make our own and that made it even more perfect.

I wrapped my arms around Jase’s waist and smiled up at him. “I want it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. But I want it for at least twenty percent less than what it’s listed for.”

“I’m gonna let you negotiate, then.”

I patted his chest. “Smart man.”

As the realtor showed us the property, I could barely contain my excitement. I began to design the epic home from floor to ceiling, and don’t even get me started on the abandoned barn. It was perfect.

Two weeks later, we were in escrow (at the negotiated deal of thirty percent off list), and I was in love with the most amazing man on the planet.

I couldn’t have asked for more.

Christina

Two years later…

Iawoke witha groan, then made a mad dash for the bathroom and puked… again. This had been going on for a week, and I was totally over it.

“Babe?” Jase called. He’d forced me to take a nap (which Ineverdid), because I’d been feeling like shit since we got up.

“In here,” I said into the toilet.

“You still sick?” he asked, hunkering down beside me.

“What gave it away?” I retorted.

“I’m callin’ Eldie.”

“Don’t bother her, honey. She’s busy. It’s just a stomachbug. It’ll be over in a few days.”

I glanced up when he didn’t respond, but he was gone. I pushed myself up and washed my face and brushed my teeth, then went looking for him. He was in the kitchen, setting saltines and a lemon-lime pop on the island. “It’ll calm your stomach.”

“Thanks, honey.” I sat up at the island and nibbled at a cracker. “You can go, I’m good.”

Jase had a meeting at the club, plus it was Wednesday, which meant Church was only a few hours away.

He slid his hand to my neck and stroked my pulse. “I’m not leavin’, Cricket. Clutch can run the meetings.”

I dropped my head to his chest. “We’re so busy, Jase. I don’t have time to be sick.”

“Baby, nothing’s more important than you, got it? We’ll figure out what’s goin’ on, then adjust, but I’m not leavin’ you until we do.”

“What about this weekend?”

It was two days before my birthday, which meant Jase would propose (again). He’d planned a romantic trip this time around, so I knew it was coming. I’d been putting him off for years, and I honestly didn’t know why. We were good. Practically perfect, actually. I guess I just didn’t want to fuck that up.

After Cutter’s passing, we’d sent him off with a real-live Viking funeral. It had been happy, and sad, and awesome all at the same time.

Since our barn was the newest part of our property, I’d surprised Jase our first Christmas together by having Boston and Hank moved out to us, which had taken some negotiation on my part. Not so much for Boston, since he was Jase’s, but Hank was another story. Pearl wasn’t quite ready to let him go, but when Duke pointed out she didn’t ride him anymore, then promised to buy her anything her heart desired, she relented.

We’d finished the remodel on our house (which we’d named Triple H Ranch, with still no idea what it stood for), the “bunkhouse” for at-risk kids had been completed sixmonths later and we now had three young men working the land, learning a trade, and quickly cementing themselves into our hearts.

The club was thriving, and my brothers had finally come to accept Minus as my man… sort of. He seemed to think he’d get more respect if I married him, but I didn’t want to jinx anything, so I was getting creative with ways to say ‘no’ to a proposal without hurting Jase’s feelings.

---