Page 131 of Truck Hard

“This looks incredible, Hannah.” Liam’s praise makes me blush as I finally sit down.

“Well, let’s see if it tastes as good as it looks.” I try to keep my voice light, but nervousness flutters in my stomach. This meal feels important somehow, like a milestone in our journey together.

The first bite has my anxiety melting away as both Liam and Cam make appreciative noises.

“Mom, this is awesome!” Cam exclaims around a mouthful of potatoes.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” I remind him automatically, but can’t stop smiling. “But thank you, sweetie.”

Conversation flows easily as we eat, Cam chattering about school and baseball practice, Liam sharing funny stories from work at the garage. I mostly listen, soaking in the warmth and love surrounding our little table. This is what family dinner should be—laughter and connection, not fear and silence.

As we finish eating, Cam helps clear the table without being asked. “Can I go play video games for a bit before bed?” he asks hopefully.

I glance at the clock. “Did you get all your homework done?”

He grumbles and drops his head. “No, I’ve got a little bit of math to do.”

“Get that done first and then you can play.” I counter.

“Okay, thanks Mom!” He bounds up the stairs, leaving Liam and I alone in the kitchen.

We work together cleaning up, falling into an easy rhythm we’ve developed over the past weeks. As always, I wash dishes and he dries. The silence between us is comfortable and easy, but there’s something I’ve been wanting to discuss, and now seems like the perfect time.

“Liam?” I start, then hesitate, suddenly nervous.

He bumps his hip against mine playfully. “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”

Taking a deep breath, I focus on scrubbing a particularly stubborn spot on a pan. “I’ve been thinking… about the future. About us.”

“Yeah?” His voice is gentle, encouraging.

“I know the main house is yours—your inheritance as the oldest son. But I was wondering…” I trail off, my courage faltering.

He sets down the dish towel and turns me to face him, his expression serious but soft. “Just say it, Hannah. Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll be okay with it.”

Looking into his warm brown eyes gives me strength. “How would you feel about making this your permanent home? Not just staying a night here and there, but… staying all the nights.”

His answering smile is brilliant. “Yes,” he says without hesitation. “God, yes. We need this time—just us. Building our family, making this place our own.”

Relief and joy bubble up inside me. “Really? You’re sure? I know the homestead is your dream.”

“Hannah.” He cups my face in his hands, thumbs stroking my cheeks. “You’re my dream. This feels more like home than anywhere else ever has. You and Cam—you’re my home now. The house is just walls and a roof. Though,” his eyes twinkle mischievously, “I have to admit, having our own space away from my nosy brothers is definitely a bonus. Who knows when they’ll all finally move out and settle down. When that day comes, we’ll move back to the homestead and make that our home. Deal?”

“Deal!” Laughing, I rise up on my toes to kiss him. He deepens the kiss immediately, backing me against the counter as his hands slide down to my hips. Heat blooms low in my belly at his touch.

“Mom? Dad? Can you help me with my math homework?” Cam calls from the top of the stairs.

“Just a minute, buddy!” Liam calls back, voice slightly strained. He drops his forehead against mine with a rueful laugh. “The joys of parenthood.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say, pressing one last quick kiss to his lips before turning back to the sink to wash my hands.

I look up and catch sight of my reflection in the window. The woman staring back at me is different from the scared, broken one who first returned to this house. She stands taller, smiles easier, loves deeper. She’s still healing—still learning—but she’s no longer afraid.

“Ready?” Liam asks.

I reach for his hand, twining our fingers together. “Ready.”

Together, we head upstairs to help our son with his homework. It’s such a normal, everyday moment, but those are the ones I cherish most now. Because they represent everything I thought I’d lost—safety, family, love.

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