Page 72 of Cabins Cows Critics
“Merry Christmas,” I tell Wendy and Greg as they meet me on the path toward the house.
“Merry Christmas,” they reply. Their arms are linked, and Wen is wiggling her fingers against his arm, and then I spot it.
“Oh my god, when did you get engaged?” I ask, and she squeals with delight.
“Greg asked me this morning. Isn’t it amazing?” She beams.
“So amazing,” I reply as she holds out her hand for me to get a better look at the ring. It’s hard not to be excited for her, seeing her this happy.
“Congratulations, both of you,” I say, and she links her other arm with mine as we continue up the path.
“Thanks,” Greg replies. “I was a little worried I’d messed the whole thing up when I told her I needed to go see my family on my own. The ring was my grandmother’s, and it was supposed to go to my brother, so I didn’t want her to be there if he decided to chuck a stink at me wanting it. Turns out he never wanted it.”
“I don’t know why?” Wen says, admiring her finger again. “It’s so pretty.”
“I thought so. Plus, you mentioned how your mom had given your grandmother’s ring to your sister and how special it was, so I really wanted this to be like that, but then she came out here with you, and I freaked out and rushed back.”
“Because she was here with me?”
“Yeah, I kind of always thought you might have sort of been into her.”
I laugh.
“Me and Wen? Are you joking?”
“Hey,” she says, slapping my arm. “It’s not that funny.”
“Yes, it is,” I reply, and Greg blushes.
“I was an idiot, but hey, it all turned out.”
“Looks like it,” I say, genuinely happy for them.
“So what about you? How was your Christmas morning?” Wen asks with a knowing grin.
“It was great, actually. I wrote another chapter.”
“You did, that’s amazing.” She beams.
Greg leans forward again.
“I thought you wrote reviews for that website,” he says, and I nod.
“I do, but I’m also writing a book. At least, I’m trying to.”
“Don’t say that,” Wen offers. “You’ve been smashing out the chapters since you got here. Still won’t let me read it, though. But I’m sure it’s amazing. It’s about a cowboy and a cop who fall in love while searching for a serial killer,” she says, and Greg’s eyebrows rise.
“Wow, sounds cool. When will it come out?”
“I’m about a third of the way in, and then I have to find someone willing to publish it, so a while yet.”
“You’ll finish in no time, I promise I won’t distract you too much with wedding planning when we get back home. You can like, leave a tie on your door or something if you’re writing, and I won’t even knock.”
“I’m not sure I’m going back just yet,” I say, and Wen stops walking, pulling Greg and me back when we take our next step.
“What do you mean?”
“I think I might stay here for a while longer.”
