Page 77 of It's Always Been You

Travis lowered his gaze on her blonde head. “I’m serious, babe. None of this mistaken shit of you being unmarried.”

“Okay, Travis.”

His brow shot up. That was too easy.

“And as soon as I can arrange it, we’re getting married again and making you officially Caitlin Blake,” he added.

Her body stiffened. Okay, maybe he was going too fast. But damn it, couldn’t she see how perfect they were for each other? She hadn’t admitted she was in love with him yet, and that was the root of all his insecurities. He was insanely and irrevocably in love with her, while she was still making up her mind.

“Maybe someday,” she added finally.

“Too pushy?” It was a good thing Travis was a morning person.

“Yes.”

“I love you, Caitlin.”

She splayed her fingers against his and snuggled closer. “More than halfway there, Travis.”

He could accept that for now.

Travis smiledas he watched Caitlin salivate over the plate of buttermilk pancakes that was set before her. A syrupy consistency of peach honey compote was lavishly drizzled on top. Her eyes shifted excitedly to the plate holding an assortment of artisan breakfast sausages. A crusty boule sat on the rustic cutting board.

“I’m going to gain ten pounds in a week,” Caitlin gushed to the innkeeper, Ms. Betty, who just brought in a carafe of freshly brewed coffee.

“Heavens, dear. You need to put on some weight,” Ms. Betty replied. She was a tiny lady, not quite five feet. She was a retired schoolteacher whose dream was to hold on to the Bluebell Bed and Breakfast—a family estate home. The market crash of the 1930’s had brought the place to disarray. The family slowly renovated the home to what it was today. Much had changed. Most of the estate became the small town of Iron Ridge, and the main street passed right in front of the B&B.

“I agree,” Travis said. “Although, I wonder where you store everything you eat. I swear you eat as much as I do.”

Caitlin flashed him an indignant look. “Well, I’m not the one with zero body fat!”

“I like your fat. It’s in all the right places.”

“If that’s your idea of flattery, you’ve got a lot to learn,” Caitlin fired back, but there was a merry glint in her eyes.

Travis sighed. He really had to stop behaving like a lovesick puppy. He couldn’t help it. Every nuance of her, every action, every pucker of her forehead, and God, every smile, simply tugged at his heart. Every. Single. Time.

“So what are you lovebirds planning today?” Ms. Betty asked.

“What do you want to do, Cat?”

“I noticed several shops when we rolled in yesterday.”Turning to the innkeeper, Caitlin asked, “Any place you’d suggest?”

“There’s an artisan shop that features pottery, blown glass, and metal work. I’d recommend checking that out first. Their pieces are one of a kind and made by our local artists.” She looked at Travis. “If you’re a fan of World War II antiques, the outskirts of town has a man that sells them. Town’s eclectic.”

Sounded like it, Travis figured. War and peace. War vets and the hippies.

Ms. Betty’s brows furrowed. “I’m glad you folks decided to stay after the trouble at Foster Bar last night. Sorry about that.”

“S’all good,” Travis replied. “Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault.”

“I watched that boy Duke grow up. He’s a good kid. Careful about that sister of his though. She’s a wily one. She brings in this posse of club women from other counties and they’re the ones starting the trouble for the locals. Hear she took a shine to you last night.” Betty nodded to Caitlin before looking at Travis. “Fine lady you have here, don’t know why Bella thinks you’d take a bite.”

Fuck. That was one tiny detail he forgot to tell Caitlin.

The innkeeper left the breakfast room, unaware of the bomb she’d just dropped. And hoping Caitlin had not picked up on that was wishful thinking.

“Duke’s sister hit on you?” Caitlin asked a little too casually.

---