Page 9 of Only By You: Prequel
And that someone will love me for my big family dream and big career goals equally.
“You all right there, darlin’?” Clayton asks.
“Sorry.” I shake my head and blow out an exaggerated breath, waving a hand at my eyes.
Great. He probably thinks I’m just some sappy, overemotional woman now. Crying over a dream that hasn’t come true and may never will.
Saved once again by the waitress finally arriving with our food, she goes to set our plates down, but Clayton holds up a hand, stopping her. He looks to me. “Do you mind if we take this to go?”
“Oh, um…sure?” I say, confused. Was my spiel too much for him?
It was the five kids, wasn’t it?
I sigh.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head there, beautiful. We’re not done here,” he adds while fishing out his wallet from his back pocket. “I want to show you something.”
Six.
Clayton
“Where are we?” Julieasks as I turn us down the bumpy, makeshift road that leads to my property.
“You’ll see,” I say, tamping it down from everything I truly wish to say to her right now and willing myself to save it.Soon, I tell myself,we’re almost there.
When she opened up at the diner, pouring her heart and soul out to me in the form of her dreams and goals for her future—I could see it. Clear as day.
Her and me.
This mountain.
More kids than we can keep track of.
Living the happiest of lives…together.
As I come around the final bend, I can’t help glancing over to the passenger seat, hoping she sees my vision—hervision—coming to life. Here.
It’s not much at the present moment, with a basic twelve-by-twelve shed where I’ve set up shop, several trees I’ve taken down that still need to head to the mill, and a few random pieces of equipment lying around in need of repairs. But it’s home.
And it could beourhome.
If she’ll just give me a chance to show it to her.
We made it here in time to watch the sunset, and I turn the truck around so the tailgate is facing the west. “Wait here,” I tell her as I kill the engine.
Her brow furrows as I jump out. “But—”
I put a hand up. “Just…two minutes, darlin’. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, giving me a long, assessing stare before she finally nods.
“Oh, and close your eyes,” I add before leaping into action.
Seven.
Julie
Clayton’s running around likea chicken with its head cut off.
