Page 69 of New in Town

“Hi, Greyson,” she replies in her sweet soft tone.

He’s exhausted, every part of him aching for rest. Coming around the front of the couch, he sinks down and lays his head in her lap. When her fingers dance through his hair, a hum of contentment escapes him. He is certain that there will never be a better feeling than coming home to her each day.

Maddie

Grey rolls over, still sleeping soundly. He’s been busier than ever with Brett gone for his month-long honeymoon. It had made sense for her to spend all her nights at the ranch during this time. She knew she wouldn’t get to see Grey any other way until Brett and Laurel returned to take some tasks back off his plate. She’d be lying, though, if she didn’t admit that she planned to stay permanently, like he had asked a few days ago.

She glances out the window at the rolling fields behind the cottage. She understands the appeal of the mountains, it is utterly enchanting living here. Reaching for Grey’s T-shirt thrown on the chair in the corner of the room, she pulls it over her head and slides out of bed. She’s careful to not disturb him as she sneaks out to the kitchen with Pippa in tow.

She makes herself a coffee and carries it with her over to the sofa where she has a clear view of the ranch out the wall of back windows. She takes a deep breath, inhaling the sweet hazelnut aroma, and curls her hand around the warm ceramic mug. When she had finally dropped the fake relationship charade and started pushing past her hang ups, their relationship had taken off like wildfire. She loves him and doesn’t want to spend any more time pretending otherwise.

“I really don’t like waking up to find you missing from our bed.”

She turns to find Grey leaning on the doorjamb behind her. A smile curls at the corners of her lips as she takes in his muscled, naked body.

“I didn’t want to disturb you,” she replies, batting her eyes innocently at him.

When he crosses the room to sit and reaches for her, she abandons the coffee and straddles him happily. She runs her hands through his messy hair as he crushes his mouth to hers.

“Good morning, my love,” he rasps as he peppers her face with kisses. She sighs, contently, knowing she could stay like this all day, work be damned.

Taking her chin between his thumb and index finger, Grey tilts her face up and looks into her eyes. “Can I take you in for work today?”

“I don’t see how you have time? I know you mentioned that you were getting a break to sleep in today. But that might be too long.”

“Don’t worry about that, I’ll take all the time I can get with you.”

“More time together sounds good to me,” she replies with a smile.

He leans forward and kisses her smile until her lips part and welcome him inside. She savors the taste of him, delighting in the passion he exudes through his slow, meaningful movements. “I love you,” he says against her lips.

They said these words to one another for the first-time last week. Maddie had been on the front porch when Grey came home for the night. He had scooped her up and taken her seat in the rocking chair, pulling her back down onto his lap. They had sat like that, listening to the creak of the chair as they moved back and forth. Watching the sun set behind the mountains. He had whispered it in her ear, so simply, as if she should have already known.

Even still, her heart flips hearing it each time. “I love you, Greyson,” she smiles.

* * *

She’s not sure why Grey is insisting on coming inside too, but she intertwines their fingers as they walk into the clinic, nonetheless. The chime of the bell alerts Arlo to their presence, but he’s already out in the lobby. With a bouquet of flowers in hand.

“What’s the occasion?” she asks curiously.

Arlo reaches out, handing her the flowers and an attached card. She opens it to read,happy birthday, Henry.Maddie glances up at him in surprise.

“Today is Henry’s birthday?” she asks, looking from Arlo to Grey.

“Lou mentioned it to me,” Arlo explains. “I asked Grey to come with you today. We thought, maybe, he could take you to Henry’s grave. You can leave some flowers.”

“You don’t have to,” Grey cuts in. “I just want to be here in case you do decide to go.”

“I’d like to go together, it would be nice to see him,” Maddie says, giving Grey’s hand a squeeze. “Thank you both.”

“Tell him hi for me,” Arlo pats her arm.

Turning, they exit the clinic once again. “Can we walk?” she asks. “A few minutes to prepare could be good.”

“Of course,” he says. Hand in hand, they stroll up Main in silence. She appreciates his steady presence as they pass the now familiar storefronts.

She doesn’t remember Henry, not really. So why is her stomach twisting in a knot at the idea of visiting his grave? His resting place was no more tangible than his apartment, photographs, and letters. But this will be her first time spending Henry’s birthday with him, and she doesn’t get to actually bewith him. Grief has a funny way of sneaking up on someone, she supposed.

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