Page 69 of Blood Sweeter than Honey

I huff a laugh. There’s no point in denying it. “Yep.”

Something in my chest settles when my eyes return to Winnow, lying against one of the cows and humming a tune that can only be described as ethereal as she idly strokes the neck and ear of a calf.

“There’s something different about her.”

My gaze gradually slides to Levi, unsure of where this is going.

“I’m happy for you.”

I huff a laugh. “Goddamn, me too.”

Levi’s dark blonde brows faintly knit together as a sardonic smirk attempts to mask the unmistakable longing shadowing his gaze. The expression is gone so quickly, if I didn’t recognize his tells, I’d second-guess myself, but I know this man like the back of my hand, and he’s practically made from stone, both inside and out.

“You’ll meet someone too. One day.”

The words sound empty even to my own ears, despite my conviction.

Imperturbable as ever, his tattooed face is a blank slate of emotion. Whatever I saw a moment ago is already buried.

“Nah… I wouldn’t wish myself on any good woman.”

Heaving a sigh, I clap him on the shoulder.

“Whether you wanna marry your trauma, or a decent woman that might actually appreciate your grumpy ass, is entirely up to you, brother. I’ll love you either way.”

A rare, almost grin tilts a corner of Levi’s lips as he scrubs a hand over his short beard. “Can’t fault your logic, Lieutenant.”

Beau strolls out of the barn wearing the biggest shit eating grin I’ve ever seen, as he calls over to Levi. “Told you he was seeing someone.”

Levi smirks.

Beau sidles next to him and holds out his hand. Levi doesn’t break eye contact with me–a brief flicker of mischief in his gaze–as he pulls his keys out of his pocket and hands them to Beau. “My wallet’s in the middle console.”

My jaw drops, Beau winks, and Levi’s expression remains vacant of emotion.

“You bet money I wasn’t seeing anyone?”

Levi shrugs. “I mean… You aren’t exactly the epitome of charisma. And considering what happened with Satan-herself, who the fuck would blame you if you just wanted to die alone.”

Beau returns a few moments later with Levi’s wallet and Levi forks over the hundred bucks he bet just as Gertie leaves my office—a glorified supply room tacked onto the end of the stables with a desk and spotty Wi-Fi—gives us a wave, and heads off to sprawl in the grass beside Winnow and the cows.

The sight, coupled with the soft sound of their distant laughter, does something to me. I couldn’t even tell you why I suddenly have emotion fisting my chest—I simply don’t have the words. All I know is, my fucking traitorous eyes are burning because I’ve finally been given the gift of a good woman.

WINNOW

Apparently, running a ranch—even a relatively small one such as this, as Gideon tells me—is hard-fucking-work. It gives me a whole newfound sense of respect for the man I’ve been given the gift of sharing my days with.

I say a silent prayer for Reginald and that he’s faring well beneath all the responsibility thrust upon him. A fissure of panic rises in my throat at the fact that I couldn’t return even if I wanted to. My only solace is that I know, without a doubt, he’s doing a far better job at ruling Cerulia and serving its people than I ever did.

I kneel in the dirt of his bountiful garden—too small to provide produce commercially, but plenty big enough to provide all the fruit, vegetables, and herbs he and his ranch hands need up until winter. Lost in thought and guilt, the sound of Trigger’s barking draws my gaze to find him chasing butterflies again. I can’t help but chuckle at the sight as affection floods my chest. He never actually catches them. I’m not even sure he intends to, but it’s clear his passion for leaping after them will not be quelled.

My eyes lift to the Gideon as he, Beau, Levi, and Gertie, on horseback, herd the cattle back toward the barn. As if he canread my thoughts, his eyes catch mine, and a knowing grin tilts his lips, making my heart pitter-patter as something unspoken is communicated between us. The most beautiful ache in my chest tightens, forcing me to draw in a deep breath as warmth and love pour through our tether.

Iwillsome of that love into the earth beneath me, and a smile blossoms on my face as the plants around me grow a little taller, the fruit a little larger, and the wildflowers bloom. Never in my life have I ever felt like I belonged somewhere until now, here, with Gideon.

How extraordinary is it that the magic of the universe can turn even the worst events of your life around to work out in your favor...

WINNOW

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