Page 90 of Feels Like Falling
After talking with her father, I’d taken the time to strip away all the noise—the fear and excuses—of why I couldn’t go after my girl. The list hadn’t changed since I was sixteen, but I sure as hell have—and so has she.
Hearing her tell me toget readyhad my dick getting all kinds of ideas.
But more than that it was the way she’d squared her shoulders, the way she didn’t back down, and the way Iknewshe’d make good on her promise today.
“Get ready, Max, because when I’m done there won’t be a single person within a fifty-mile radius who doesn’t know you’re mine.”
That woman…
I’m ripped from my musings by a wet snout and tongue up the side of my face, Hermie’s body vibrating with happiness as he tries to decide whether he wants to get up on the bed or just continue to assault from his perch on the floor.
“C’mere, you mutt.” I laugh, grabbing him around the middle and hoisting him onto the mattress. He stumbles a little in the blanket but is otherwise unfazed and recovers quickly, tongue hanging out and tail wagging. “Grandad already let you out?”
Hermie barks and I laugh as he pounces on me before rolling onto his back and rubbing along the quilt my Nan made for me in high school. I’d pulled the gray and turquoise monstrosity from the cedar chest yesterday after Ellison had gifted me the asymmetrical winter hat, the nostalgia hitting me full force.
A sharp whistle sounds from the kitchen, and Hermie scrambles off the bed in search of my grandfather—my cue to face the day. Shaking my head, I throw back the covers and shuffle toward the bathroom for a quick shower, going through the motions, my mind running wild with thoughts of what she has in store for me. For us.
I half expect to see her in the kitchen when I come out of my room, but aside from Grandad putzing around, there’s nothing out of the ordinary.
“Mornin’,” Grandad says, his eyes bright with excitement and I smile, a swarm of butterflies making a home low in my belly. “If I was you,” he says as I help myself to coffee, “I’d probably head on over to the barn. Feed the horse.”
“I’ll definitely do that,” I say and he nods, squeezing my shoulder as he goes to sit at the table.
“Good luck, Montana,” Celeste says, coming into the kitchen and placing a kiss on my cheek. “If all goes well, you bring everyone over for dinner.”
“Everyone?” I ask, surprised.
She nods. “I’m countin’ on a celebration.”
That makes two of us.
I tell her as much, and with a steadying breath, I take a step out onto the porch. I pause, giving myself a minute to get my head on straight before descending the steps and going to find my girl.
Rounding the side of the house, coffee mug in hand, I pull my ballcap down low over my eyes to block out the rising sun.
“Montana Greene.”
Coffee sloshes out over the lip, my name being shouted over a megaphone enough to have my blood pumping a little faster in my veins. There’s no missing Ellison’s voice or the way it wavers slightly.
She’s nervous, which is good, because so am I.
“Lookin’ good this morning, Max,” Ellison says through the megaphone, and my gaze finally snaps up to meet hers as my boots eat up the distance between us. Her hair is swept up into a messy bun on the top of her head, and she’s wearing a white crop top that shows off a band of tan skin I want to get my hands on and cutoff jean shorts that are frayed from wear—not a store.
Her cowboy boots are loved to perfection, but I can’t take my eyes off her long, tanned legs that had been wrapped around me just a few days ago.
“Eyes up here, Max.” My gaze flashes to her, and she smirks as I roll my lips inward to hide my smile. I don’t bother tryin’ to hide what she’s doing to me below the belt—there’s no point.
She knows she’s hot as fuck.
“You’re up early, Eddie,” I say when I’ve gained enough composure to not sound like I’ve eaten a handful of gravel with my coffee.
“Wanted to start the day off right,” she says with a smirk I can’t help but return.
“I’ve got a question for you,” she says, putting the megaphone on the ground next to her as a homemade banner unrolls from the hayloft, Archer and Cal waving and grinning like fools as I read the words painted in large pink letters.
Will you Marry Me?
“El?” My lips part, my eyes slowly moving from the sign down to meet her gaze.
