Page 77 of Butterfly Sisters
His brows pulled together in the most adorable way.
“Looks like you’ve got a new neighbor.” She explained to him how she was planning to help others across the country the way she’d helped Jimbo.
Colton drew her into his arms, spurring Elvis to jump around them, barking. “Are you serious?” he asked, his words coming out in a euphoric laugh. He put his hands on her face and looked into her eyes, that gorgeous smile of his spreading over his face.
“I’m completely serious. With every day that I spent here—with you—it felt more like me than anything else has.” She looked up at him, willing him to kiss her, never wanting something so badly.
His lips parted, his breath lightly moving through them as his gaze bored into hers with an intensity she’d never seen. That look had nothing to do with the boy he’d been. It was the gaze a man could only offer after years of maturing. “You know that what I’m about to do will change everything between us.”
She nodded, looking up at him, every nerve in her body on high alert.
A thought passed over Colton’s face, as if he wanted to take in that moment—that final moment before both their lives would be completely altered.
“I’ve been gone,” she said, “but my heart was always here with you.”
His eyes crinkled at the edges with fondness for her. He pulled her in once more and pressed his lips to hers. His strong arms held her tightly, the soft stubble on his face rough under her hands as she reached for him. His kiss was urgent, delicious—years of built-up longing rushing between them. It was as though there were something big between them that seemed to span all of time, as if the universe had lined them up just for this moment. She took in the scent of him, the feel of his masculine hands on her, the movement of his lips, and the perfect way they fit together. And she knew that she’d never want anything more than this.
When he finally pulled back, he looked down at her lovingly. “I never told you this when we were kids, but I think it’s important that you know.” He squeezed her affectionately. “I’m completely in love with you,” he said into her ear, giving her a shiver, “and Ineverwant to be without you again.”
She pushed herself up onto her tiptoes and leaned in for another kiss.
When the chill of evening had fallen upon them, Colton, Leigh, and Elvis went inside to find that Mama had come home from work. “Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Katherine said to Colton with a wrinkle of her nose.
Meredith came in and kissed her mother on the cheek before turning to Colton. “It took you long enough to come around.” She gave him a playful punch on the arm. “I hope you’re planning to stay and celebrate that your girl here found a job in your backyard. Literally.”
Colton grinned. “I’ve got a six-pack in the truck.”
“What’s it doing in there?” Meredith teased him. “Go get it.”
With a laugh, Colton left them in the kitchen, heading outside.
“Oh no,” Meredith said, as, left behind with them, Elvis sauntered over, distracting all three of them. She took a step toward the dog while Leigh braced herself for the backlash, but to her surprise, Elvis walked right up to Meredith and sniffed her hand. Gently, Meredith scratched under his chin.
“See?” Mama said, tipping her head back with a laugh. “I was right. He knows we’re all family now.”
Meredith rolled her eyes playfully, but she didn’t argue.
Colton came back in behind Leigh, kissing her on the cheek, giving her a fizzle of elation. His dark eyes sparkled as he set down a six-pack of beer, opening one and offering it to her. He handed out more bottles before settling into the chair at Nan’s kitchen table, tipping his own beer up to his lips, and taking a swig. “Quite a different vibe from the first time I came over a couple weeks ago.”
They all laughed quietly under the golden light coming in through the window, the final show before the sun slipped below the horizon. Colton reached over and took Leigh’s hand, pulling her to him.
As the sun hovered on the horizon over the lake, her fingers intertwined with Colton’s, all of them sitting together in the kitchen where they’d gathered for many celebrations over the years, Leigh knew this was but another festive occasion and one of many, many more. She couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful.
EPILOGUE
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Leigh told Meredith, dragging her through the house to the baby’s room. With a doting smile, she stopped at the closed door of the nursery and put her hand on her protruding belly. “Colton just finished the crib, and I couldn’t wait to hang it.”
“What is it?” Meredith whined. “The drama is killing me.”
Leigh opened the door, revealing the oversized white shag rug that covered the dark hardwoods, the billowing, gauzy curtains framing a view of the lake, as well as a tiny corner of Leigh’s renovated office across the cotton fields. But that wasn’t what Leigh had come to show her sister. Above the new crib was an enormous blue-butterfly painting that Meredith had just finished. This one had a whole mass of butterflies, all fluttering across the canvas.
“I hope you don’t mind, but Mama let me take it out of your studio.”
“Mind? Iloveit!”
“I wanted our little girl’s Aunt Meredith to have a presence in here.”
“The blue is just perfect for a newborn.” Meredith draped her arm around Leigh and rested her head affectionately on her shoulder.
