Page 138 of Give Me Love

“Everything is better when you’re near,” he says.

“I feel the same about you,” I reply softly.

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After the sun brightens the morning sky and I pet a few horses that decide to come say hello, we hop back into Bryce’s muscle car and make our way up to the house.

And holy hell, what a house.

It sits proudly with enormous white pillars that hold up a wraparound porch. Flowers are planted throughout the yard, and two humongous dogs fly out of the wide screen door as soon as we come to a stop.

“Doc and Holliday?” I ask.

“You guessed it,” he replies. “Let me put them up so they don’t jump on you.”

“I grew up with dogs. It’s fine,” I say, getting out of the car.

He shrugs. “Okay.”

Maybe it’s not so fine, though. The two come charging toward me, and it’s intimidating. Their noses get to work on my whole body, trying their hardest to figure out who I am and where I came from.

“Boys, calm down,” Bryce says. “K doesn’t want your slobber all over her.”

I laugh, quickly realizing they’re big babies. One lifts up my arm with his big head, clearly trying to get me to pet him. The other leans on me as though I’m a wall and he’s tired of holding himself up. They’re so soft and so beautiful. I pet their fur, and they lick my arms.

A loud whistle comes from the porch, causing me to snap my head up and the dogs to take off. A man at least six foot four stands by the door. “Get inside, boys. You’ve got breakfast waiting on you,” he says, his voice deep and commanding.

A woman walks out of the door he’s holding open wearing black jeans and a matching long-sleeved black shirt.

Bryce grabs my hand, and I see both of them look at the action. I swallow my nerves and walk in step beside him.

“Good morning,” Bryce says.

“Morning,” the man replies before his eyes land on me. He smiles, and tiny wrinkles form at the sides of his soft blues. His gray beard is perfectly groomed, his jeans look worn, his boots look worked in, but his flannel shirt looks brand new.

“You must be Kathrine?” he says.

“Yes,” I reply. “Nice to meet you.” I let go of my guy’s hand and reach for his.

“Lee Grant,” he says, giving me a firm handshake.

“And I’m Emily,” the woman speaks up. “You’re family now. No sense in us shaking hands. Bring it on in,” she says, opening her arms.

I smile, a little taken aback from her affection, but when she hugs me, she smells like Sunday morning breakfast. It comforts me, and I know I’m going to like her. She pulls back, but only enough to wrap her arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go inside. I’ve got breakfast almost ready.” I take a peek back at Bryce who has a small smile on his lips. He looks…happy. Completely happy.

“Son, I’m glad to see you finally brought her out,” I hear Lee say just as the door shuts behind Emily and me. The outside of the house is something to see, but the inside looks straight out of aBetter Homes and Gardensmagazine.

Two big white couches face each other in the living room with throw pillows and throw blankets. A large rug covers the rustic hardwood, and a fireplace rests on the far wall with a mantel covered in framed photos and large candleholders.

A white staircase with dark wooden steps leads up to the next floor, and we walk down the long hallway toward the back of the house. I look at the walls, seeing photos displayed on both sides.

It’s all family. Bryce’s Aunt Lou and Uncle Monnie. Lee and Emily. And some of the boys alone riding dirt bikes, just being boys.

I want to stop and stare, but Emily keeps us going.

“I’m so glad to finally meet you,” she says, taking her arm back. “We’ve been begging that boy to bring you out so we could see who has stolen his heart.”

“Stolen his heart?” I question.

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