Page 28 of Home to You
Conversation flowed easily from there—stories about the ranch and what it had been like since their parents had passed, questions about my teaching career, and Cole’s endless stream of plans for all the things we could do together now that I was “part of the family.”
That phrase, thrown out so casually, made my chest tight with emotion.
I glanced up at Jake in time to catch the way his breath hitched, and saw him share a meaningful look with Gage over his son’s head. His brother’s slight nod seemed to convey his blessing.
“Next weekend is the cattle drive to the winter pasture,” Colt said, clearing his throat. “Cole's been practicing his roping all summer.”
“Dad! You could teach Eden to rope!” Cole said excitedly. “Then you could help.”
I caught Jake’s eye, seeing the same hope reflected there that I felt blooming in my chest. These weren’t just polite invitations—this was his child assuming I’d be here, a permanent part of their lives, part of their family traditions.
“I’d love that,” I said, meaning it completely. “Though I don’t think I’ll be good enough for roping. Maybe I can be on cooking duty instead?”
Jake lifted my hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles, his eyes never leaving mine. “That sounds perfect,” he murmured against my skin.
As the afternoon wore on, Gage and Nash got into a heated debate about whether the Denver Broncos had any chance this season, while Cole tried to convince all three of his uncles to take him to a game. The conversation gave Jake and me privacy to spend some time walking along a meandering path beside the water, our hands linked.
“This is perfect,” I said, breathing in the clean air. “I’d forgotten how peaceful it is out here.”
“Certainly different from Chicago,” he observed.
“Completely.” I squeezed his hand. “In the city, there’s a constant barrage of noise, always something demanding your attention. Out here, you can actually hear yourself think.”
Jake stopped walking and turned to face me, his hands settling on my waist. “And what are you thinking about?”
I looked back toward his brothers and his son. Two years ago—heck, two months ago—this would have felt like something out of a movie. Fiction. Now, it seemed so normal, so wonderfully ordinary.
“I’m thinking,” I said slowly, turning back to him. “That I could get used to this. Saturday mornings with your family, riding out to the river, watching Cole grow up …” I trailed off, suddenly shy about voicing the thoughts that had been growing stronger all day.
Last night, Jake had told me he wanted me to stay with him forever, and then this morning, he’d reiterated that thought by telling me I was right where I was supposed to be.
Still, we hadn’t had a chance to discuss what those words really meant. How he envisioned our future unfolding.
“Eden.” Jake’s voice was serious, his amber eyes intense. “I need you to know this isn’t casual for me. I meant what I said last night. I want it all with you. Mornings like today, family dinners, fights about whose turn it is to do the dishes, and picking out a Christmas tree. I want to grow old with you.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “Jake,” I breathed out, tears stinging my eyes.
"I know it’s fast,” he continued, his thumbs tracing circles on my hipbones. “I know we’re still figuring things out. But being here with you, watching Cole light up because you’re part of his world, seeing my brothers treat you like you already belong otus—it just feels right. It feels like this is where we were always meant to wind up. You feel like home to me, sweetheart.”
I reached up to cup his face, my thumb brushing over his beard. “You feel like home, too,” I whispered. “All this feels like everything I didn’t know I was looking for, and I’m so mad at myself for walking away ten years ago. I stole so much from us.”
“Shhh,” he murmured before kissing me, his lips soft and sweet on mine.
“Hey, lovebirds!” Gage called out with a sharp whistle. “We’re packing up to head back!”
We broke apart, laughing at the interruption, but Jake’s eyes stayed serious as he stared down at me.
“This is just the beginning,” he said quietly.
“I hope so.”
The ride back to the ranch was quieter, all of us tired from the sun and fresh air. Cole nodded off briefly in his saddle, and Colt had to reach over to steady him. By the time we arrived back at the barn, the sun was setting behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of pink, purple, and gold. We worked together to unsaddle the horses and get them settled for the night, the easy teamwork feeling as natural as breathing.
“Can we do that again next weekend?” Cole asked hopefully as we walked back toward the house.
“We'll see,” Jake said, but I caught him winking at me over Cole’s head.
As the family scattered to evening chores and showers, Jake caught my hand and pulled me aside.
