Page 142 of Catch
For all of them.
And for something I’ve always wanted but never thought I’d have.
When dinner’s done, I help clear the table, grab an apple from the pantry, and excuse myself. I need a moment alone to get my emotions under control.
I find myself wandering down to the stables, my home at home. Even though my mom is gone, I always feel her spirit here. I hold on to all the loving memories, thankful for them, especially today.
Since it’s Thanksgiving, I offer Whiskey the apple as a special treat. Sensing my mood, he nickers softly and nuzzles his nose into my shoulder.
“I’m alright,” I whisper to my horse. “Just a bit overwhelmed. But it’s a good feeling. I promise.”
We’re not alone for long.
I heard the click of boots and turn to find Ethan standing nearby.
“Can I join you?”
I nod and run a hand along Whiskey’s thick mane.
“I hope I wasn’t talking too much at dinner,” Ethan offers as he walks up to us. “You know me, I get going and I don’t know when to quit.”
“Are you kidding? You had everyone laughing so hard, our bellies are going to hurt for days.”
Whiskey nickers again, and Ethan looks at me with concern.
“It’s alright. That sound means he’s happy to see you.”
Ethan’s expression relaxes as he slowly offers his hand for Whiskey to sniff.
“You took off from the kitchen so fast, I got worried,” Ethan adds. “I thought maybe it was because of something I said or did.”
“No, not at all,” I reassure him.
He slides one arm around my waist and tugs me in tight to his side.
“Then what’s wrong? And don’t say nothing, because your beautiful eyes give you away every time.”
I bite my lower lip.
“Nothing’s wrong,” I admit. “The total opposite. Everything is wonderful and that kinda scares me.”
Awareness dawns in Ethan’s eyes.
“Tell me.”
“I love having you here. And watching you with Pops and Nan, and having your brother and sister here, it makes me so happy. It feels like?—”
“Like you and I are a family?”
I swallow hard.
“Yes.”
Surrounded by the scent of horses and hay, Ethan pulls me into his arms, swaying us to imaginary music. It makes me smile so wide my cheeks hurt. Nothing in my life has ever felt as right as this moment, and this man.
“It feels like that because it’s true.”
“Ethan.”
