Page 61 of Sunshine

“Sure did! I stitched these ones last spring.”

“I love them,” I say.

She laughs, a small twinkling sound. “Thank you. I honestly don’t get to do it as much these days, especially since James was born, but it’s one of my favorite things to do. I used to sell them at the Foxborough fair.”

“Melody, you ready?” Brooks calls from where he stands near the stalls, a frown on his face.

“Coming!” she hollers back. “Well, I better go—I have a doctor’s appointment in town,” she says to no one in particular. “Great job with the colt—you guys always know just what these horses need.”

Kasey gives her a polite smile and tips his hat. Wells watches her with a curious expression, like he notices something might be off, too. But he doesn’t say anything, and soon Brooks and Melody disappear around the building toward the main drive.

My birthday comesfive days into the new year, almost two weeks after Christmas and three weeks after the Saddlebrook High Mustangs win the Texas State Championship. Celebrating my birthday has always felt secondary on the heels of so many major holidays, and this year is no different with the added excitement over our state win. Jason and the rest of the team are beside themselves with joy and pride after prevailing in a rematch against the Mayfield Matadors. It was almost a complete shutout, but Mayfield was able to clinch a third-quarter field goal to get some points on the board.

This year, Jason kept his anxiety at bay and showed up to AT&T Stadium raring for a win. With every possession, the Mustangs drove hard against the Matador defense and pushed into the end zone three times. The town is still celebrating, and Jason has undoubtedly cemented himself as Saddlebrook Falls royalty. The spirit committee organized a parade (which was really just a caravan of a bunch of decorated cars and trucks) and kids from the local Pop Warner league stood in line to get autographs from Jason and the other players. Even Liam was a part of it, bragging to the other little kids that his Uncle Wells helped the Mustangs to win state.

Now that the season is over it feels like I have my boyfriend back. There are dozens of house parties thrown over the course of winter break, most of them focused on launching the football team on an even higher pedestal than they’re already on, and I’m on Jason’s arm at every single one of them.

We spend most afternoons, like today, at the ranch. Jason was taken aback when he realized how much I’ve been here over the last few months. Not that he didn’t know—I always told him about what I was up to any time we had a chance tocatch up. Even still, he was surprised to learn how integral I was in Lucky’s transfer to the ranch, and even more surprised to learn how much Kasey has taught me.

When I groom and tack up Champ all by myself, Jason shakes his head in disbelief. “Dang, girl,” he says. “Who is this cowgirl in front of me, and where did my cheerleader go?”

I laugh off the comment. “I’m still a cheerleader,” I insist. “But I really like it here. I’d love to have a ranch like this one day.”

“I don’t know about that,” he counters. “It’s a lot of work, and I’ll be away from home quite a bit.” He watches as I glide the curry comb over Champ’s back. “Plus I’ll want you to travel to games with me, you know?”

I peel my eyes away from Champ to look at him, noting the eagerness in his expression. The desire to agree immediately flares, but something gives me pause . . . It’s the first time I think I’ve ever shared awantfor my future, but it goes against the natural progression of what being with Jason would mean.

I know I don’t just want to be an NFL wife—I want to carve out something of my own, something that no one can ever take away from me. But, if Jason and I really are going to spend the rest of our lives together, I should probably find something to do that complements his dreams, not competes with them.

“Maybe after you retire, then,” I say.

His eyes twinkle. “That sounds nice . . . a happy retirement with a big piece of Texas land to call ours.”

See? He’s not shutting me down completely, he’s just being practical. I force a smile and turn my attention back to Champ.

Later,Jason comes to my door wearing a dark gray sports coat and matching pants, his white button-down open at the collar. And he looksgood. “Wow,” I say, a bit breathless. “I didn’t realize it was a fancy occasion.”

Jason looks down at the white dress with a flower pattern I’m wearing and smiles. “You look perfect, babe. Trust me.” He leans in to press a kiss to my cheek, a warm hand wrapping lightly against my waist. The touch sends a current of electric heat through me, anticipation curling tight.

We still haven’t had sex yet, but I’ve been feeling ready to take that step with him—especially now that the season is over. As he pulls away and smiles down at me, I wonder if tonight might be the night. “Ready?” he asks, his voice low.

I can only nod, grabbing my purse as my mom comes around the corner from the kitchen. “Hey, Jason! You guys heading out?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Jason nods, standing straighter as he turns his gaze toward her. “Thank you for letting me steal Layla away tonight.”

Mom’s returning smile is as wide as a Cheshire Cat’s. “I’m just happy she has such a darling young man who treats her so well,” she says, eyes brightening.

Jason lets out a quiet chuckle. “Thank you, ma’am. I’ll have her back in before eleven.”

She waves a hand, shifting her focus to me. “Oh, don’t rush home. You two just enjoy yourselves, all right, bug?”

I smile. “Thanks, Mom.”

Jason drives us to Emiliano’s, an Italian restaurant in the next town over. It’s a gorgeous dinner with ivory table linensand pasta so rich and creamy I can’t help but moan as I eat. Jason’s blue eyes smolder in the flickering candlelight, and I’m struck with another wave of desire so strong I squirm in my seat.

“I have something for you,” Jason says just as the waiter takes our plates.

“You do?” I look around the table—I didn’t notice him bring anything in. “I thought dinner was my present.”

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