Page 41 of Wildest Forever

They're not cooped up, they have more than enough and probably don't even feel like they're shut away, but I know they're locked away and guilt eats at me.

Right on cue, just as the sun peeks over the mountains and comes into full glory, Roost's morning call echoes around the ranch and I smile.

I have never wanted to leave Blossom Cove, the city life has never appealed to me.

I'm a homely girl.

Like the feel of the grass beneath my bare feet, the sunrise each morning and the clear nights skies, stargazing and the family feel you get around the town.

Everyone knows everyone.

You never feel alone.

You could move here as an outsider and everyone would make you feel welcome.

Unless you’ve done something to make them hate you, then that's a different story.

We're all close knit.

We know everything about everyone.

We may not be in Lovelock Bay's town, but we're on the outskirts and share it. Sure, we have a narrow strip which has the odd shops scattered, but it's nothing special.

But it’s home.

Pushing in the door, I close it behind me and place the basket on the high, round table that sits just inside the small hallway before I shrug my coat off, hanging it up then lose the boots, tucking them back inside the closet on the shoe rack.

Walking back into the kitchen, I smile. There is nothing that caused it, but maybe having the fresh air and seeing the sunrise was the reason.

Placing four eggs on the side, I pop the rest in the pantry and hang the basket up on the hook that sits on the back of the door.

Glancing at the time, it's just past seven and I feel like I have been awake hours.

Turning the radio on, I twist the volume dial so you can just about hear it when the sound ofRiley Green - don't mind if I doplays and I sing softly along.

Plating up pancakes, bacon, eggs, toast and fruit, I lay it all out on the work surface before I fill a jug with fresh orange juice.

“Morning,” his voice has me spinning around, eyes a little wide as I scope him out.

It's not fair for someone to look that hot.

All the god damn time.

“Morning,” I smile, walking the plates over to the small round table, I place them down then grab the cutlery.

“You're in a good mood,” his voice is slow and full of rasp.

“Slept well,” I shrug a shoulder up as I reach up for the mugs and I feel his eyes burning into my back. “Pops up yet?” I look at him, head tilting and he shakes his head from side to side.

“Not yet, heard him snoring,” he walks over to the food that is plated up then places his hand on the top of my head, rubbing his hand back and forth and messing my hair.

“Hey,” I scowl, pushing into his side and he chuckles.“Let me go check on pops, don't really want to eat without him,” I say, eyeing my husband as he slips a piece of bacon into his mouth and bites it.

“Oops,” he smirks at me over his shoulder as I walk out the room and go to wake my granddad.

Softly knocking on the door, I walk in and smile as his eyes find mine.

“Morning pops you okay?” I walk over and pull back the curtains.

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