Page 83 of Shifting Sands

“Wow, you must have some serious internal dialogue going on in that head of yours,” Ansley says as she sits beside me.

“Yeah, just trying to wrap my head around some things,” I admit. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, ask away.”

“How hard is it, being away from Garrett so much?”

She smiles knowingly. “It’s not always easy. The key is constant communication. Sometimes, it’s an early morning conversation while I’m tucked in bed and he’s just coming offstage, full of energy. Other times, it’s a video call where I model the new lingerie he sent me after seeing it in a boutique while on tour in Europe. Occasionally, it’s just a text in themiddle of the day that says,I miss you. Just knowing that no matter where he is or what he’s doing, I’m on his mind. Our family is on his mind. And he’s always on my mind too. As long as I know he’s coming home to me—to us—and I trust him, it’s all worth it. I have a big, beautiful life at home—the café, the baby, my parents, and all of you. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Yeah,” I say as my eyes find Brew.

He’s in the pool, playing a game of water volleyball with the boys.

“And being able to fly out to some exotic new place for a weekend getaway with your lover is a huge bonus,” she adds.

“Oh, I bet it is.”

“Good night. See you guys in the morning,” I call as we enter the elevator.

“That was a fun day,” I say as I rest against Brew’s side.

“It was. I can’t remember the last time I spent a day on the boat with the guys,” he says as he wraps his arms around me. “And there was just something about knowing you and the girls were here, at my house, waiting for us.”

“Yeah,” I reply, burying my nose in his neck.

“I liked it. I like you in my space,” he says into my hair.

I tilt my head back and look up at him. “I like being here.”

The doors open, and he walks us into the bedroom. Turning me around, he gestures to the windows that overlook the ocean.

“Look, a shooting star,” he says as he points to the night sky. “Make a wish.”

I close my eyes and do just that. I wish for courage. Courage to open my heart and take a chance.

Brew swoops down and lifts me into his arms.

“What are you doing?” I ask as he carries me into the bathroom.

When he opens the door, Felix and Snowflake bolt from the room, and he sets me on the vanity before he turns on the shower. Steam fills the room as he takes his time undressing us both.

“There’s a lot I want to say—need to say. Out loud, not just whispered confessions in the middle of the night,” he says as he tugs me onto my feet and leads me into the warm spray. “But first, I’m going to show you.”

And he does. He takes his time, washing my hair and body, lovingly kissing every inch of my skin. His touch is gentle and reverent. Showing me that I’m precious.

The words are important, but the action is what proves their value.

Brew

We stand at my gate, watching as her friends load their belongings.

“Thanks for everything. The boys sure enjoyed the trip,” Graham says as he tosses the last of the bags into his truck.

“It was my pleasure. You’re welcome to bring them back down anytime,” I offer.

“Yeah, and you should come up to our neck of the woods, and we’ll take you fly-fishing,” he says. “Lennon did a decent job last night, but you haven’t lived until our pop fries you up a batch of fresh mountain trout.”

“I bet. I have been wanting to get up there and check out Misty Mountain,” I agree.

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