“I just keep reassuring myself that this is real life. I’m afraid I’m going to wake up from a dream and not be your fiancée.”
Well, if that’s her only worry, that’s easily remedied. “Oh, you’re my fiancée,” I chuckle, “and then you’re going to be my wife—”
“I knew you’d use those words against me someday.” She laughs as more tears spill from her eyes. I’ll never forget her spitting out those words on my patio . . . that she’d never be my girlfriend turned fiancée turned wife. I made it my mission to prove her wrong and, proudly, she’s mine. My fiancée.
I wipe the tears from her cheeks and pull her into a hug. “I couldn’t wait to.”
I savor this moment with Saige in my arms while I envision our future. Nothing is certain, but with Saige by my side, everything will be perfect.
After a long moment, she wiggles out of my embrace. “Come on; let’s get back to the house before we get stuck out here in the dark.”
We walk briskly back toward the house, the wind picking up slightly as we go. Brent and Brenda are waiting for us, Brenda bouncing on edge of her toes. Saige drops my hand as we clear the trail, and she takes off running like a little girl. I laugh as she jumps into Brent’s open arms, and he swings her around. Her mom wraps herself around both of them. I laugh at their yelps and laughter, and join them on the patio when I finally catch up.
“I’m getting married!” Saige squeals over and over again.
“Welcome to the family, brother.” Brent shakes my hand.
“I’m not in quite yet,” I tease.
“You were in a long time ago,” he says meaningfully, squeezing my shoulder.
Brent has told me time and again how thankful he is that Saige has me. I know that I’m truly the lucky one, but nothing pleases me more than knowing that our relationship has her family’s blessing.
“Can’t wait to make it official,” I say, feeling anxious just at the thought.
He gives me a quick nod as Saige shows her ring to her mom, tilting her hand back and forth under the patio lights.
Brenda walks over to me, her eyes misty, and pulls me into a tight hug. “Thank you for making her so happy,” she whispers.
I don’t reply. Because the truth is, she’s made me happy; she’s healed me. In finding Saige, I’ve learned to let go of my past just as she’s learning to let go of hers. We can’t hold ourselves responsible for the sins of our fathers and that has been the largest hurdle I’ve had to overcome.
As the sun goes down, we all enjoy the last few minutes of this gorgeous fall day outside, and for the first time ever, I’m at peace, and happy with everything in my life.
“How are you feeling?” I ask Saige as she finally begins to wake up.
She shrugs and moans but doesn’t say anything.
“I think it’s important you’re there,” I tell her, sitting up and leaning back against the headboard.
“It’s just a barn,” she grunts, pulling her pillow over her head.
I rub her back. “It’s more than just a barn, Saige. Some of your best childhood memories and some of your worst happened in that barn. You’ve been struggling for years to let go of your grief. When that wood comes down, I hope your pain is replaced with all the good things you remember about that barn.” She stills as I talk. “Brent told me about your first pony, Cupcake. How you’d sit in that little stall and talk to her until they’d drag you into the house.” I see her shoulders relax.
“And about all the hours you spent brushing the horses and the bonding with them in that barn?”
She still doesn’t reply.
“I’ll be there with you, Saige. I’ll be right there holding your hand.” I’ll always be there. I need her to know that.
“Promise?” She mumbles from under the pillow.
“Promise.”
She pulls the pillow from her head and rolls over. She presses her hand to my chest and looks at me. “You have the best heart, Holt Hamilton.”
I grin. “We’re a team, future Mrs. Hamilton.”
“I can’t wait,” she whispers with a smile.
“Come on.” I smack her ass. “Let’s do this.”
She grumbles but pulls herself out of bed and drags herself into the bathroom to get ready.
Saige paces back and forth over the same ten-foot patch of grass, chewing on her thumbnail as the large tractors move into place. I can see her chest rising and falling with each heaving breath.
“Saige, come here.” I’m sitting on one of the plush patio chairs, and I pat the chair next to me. She sighs loudly and tosses herself down into the chair. “You okay?”
Her eyebrows are pinched together, and her focus is trained on Brent, who is standing down next to the barn, talking to the general contractor who will rebuild the structure.
“I don’t know,” she finally answers me.