Page 48 of Where We Bloom

“I like it when you’re dressed like this,” she admits.

“Like what, bumble?”

“Casual.”

“Why is that?”

She bites that lip, and I don’t think she’s going to answer, but finally, she says, “Because your arms are fuckingdeliciousin a T-shirt. There. I said it.”

I laugh as I pull her against me for a hug, wrapping the arms she seems to like around her and squeezing her close as I plant my lips on the top of her head, enjoying how she fits against me.

“Come on, then,” I say as I lead her to the Jeep. “Let’s go.”

I get her buckled in, the cage door closed, and then I circle the car and hop in behind the wheel.

“It’s a long drive,” I inform her. “Are you comfortable?”

She frowns over at me. “How long?”

“All day.”

Now her eyebrows climb. “Where are we going? Canada?”

I grin and don’t stop myself from reaching out to drag the back of my fingers down her cheek.

I’m letting go today.

I’m indulging in my need for her.

And based on the way she leans into my touch, she’s here for it.

“No, not Canada. Just a long drive. I want to be with you today. Just you. No noise, no other people, just you on this pretty day.”

She tips her head, examining me, then nods. “That sounds really nice. And I promise not to fall asleep.”

With a laugh, I start the engine and pull out of her driveway.

“You won’t offend me if you fall asleep.”

“I’ll offendme.I don’t want to miss this. Besides, it’s a nice day, and there will be lots to see.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Once I’m on the highway leading us out of town, I rest my elbow on the center console and open my hand, waiting.

Without hesitating, Billie leans in, threads her fingers through mine, and holds on.

And we stay like this as we drive a couple of hours out of town. She points out a herd of elk. The wind whips around us, and it’s too loud to have a conversation, but that’s okay.

The quiet between us is comfortable, and she's smiling each time I glance her way.

Thank Christ, this was a good idea.

It’s close to noon when I turn off the highway near Flathead Lake and drive us close to the shoreline, with a view of the mountains beyond. I park facing the water and cut the engine. We sit in silence for a moment, taking in the breathtaking view of the lake and the mountains.

“I haven’t been here since I was a kid,” she says softly and takes a deep breath. The roof on the Jeep gives us valuable shade, but there’s a nice breeze blowing through to keep us cool. “My parents brought us here a couple of times to go camping, which I thought was so silly.”

“Why silly?”

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