Page 99 of Every Single Broken Piece
“Yeah. It was a shitty thing you did, but I don’t hold it against you for being related to that bastard.”
More tension eases from my body. “Thanks, Jordan.”
“So I’ll see you on Wednesday?”
“Yes. Is there anything we can bring?” I ask.
“Just yourselves and empty stomachs because Natalie is planning to cook up a storm.”
“Yummy.” Kelcie glances around the area, then says, “We have to go. See you soon.”
They end the call as I turn off the main street. While I steer the truck up the dirt road leading to the farmhouse, I keep stealing glances at Kelcie so I don’t miss her reaction to seeing the farm.
I love the emotions flitting over her face, everything from amazement to excitement. “Oh my God, Levi. It’s beautiful out here.”
The two-story farmhouse comes into sight, and Kelcie’s chin begins to quiver. “Our home.”
The two simple words wrap tightly around my heart, and I’m filled with a sense of belonging because this place will be the firsthomeI’ve ever had, and I’ll share it with the woman I love. It won’t just be a soulless house like the other places I’ve lived.
I bring the truck to a stop and chuckle when Kelcie can’t get out fast enough. I climb out and watch as Lick sets off over the snow-covered yard.
Just as I turn my attention back to Kelcie, she lets out a happy shriek and launches herself at me. “It’s perfect!”
I catch her while laughter escapes me, and holding her tight, I twirl her in a circle before I set her down on her feet. “Yeah? You like our farm?”
“I want to see all of it. God, there’s so much space.” Kelcie pulls away from me and looks over the yard in the direction of the lake.
“Come,” I say as I take hold of her hand. I lead her toward the line of trees and watch her reaction as the lake comes into view.
“Holy crap. We have our own lake,” she breathes, then her eyes light up with more excitement. “We can ice-skate!”
“I might fall on my ass and break something, but I’m willing to give it a try for you,” I joke as we look at the frozen surface. We’re quiet for a little while, then I say, “The day I put in an offer to purchase, I stood here for hours wondering if I’d ever see you again.”
“Levi,” she whispers as she turns to face me. “Of course you would’ve seen me again. I wouldn’t have ghosted you.”
The pain I felt while I was separated from Kelcie flickers through my chest. “I didn’t know that at the time, though.”
Her eyebrows draw together, and she moves closer until our bodies touch. Lifting her gloved hands, she frames my jaw and locks eyes with me. “No matter what happens, I won’t leave you unless you explicitly tell me to.” She makes the same promise to me that I made to her over Thanksgiving.
“I really needed to hear those words,” I murmur, my entire soul letting out a sigh of relief. “And I will never tell you to leave. You’re kinda stuck with me forever.”
Her mouth curves up, and she gives me a quick kiss before she pulls back. “Show me our house.”
“Remember it’s a work in progress,” I remind her as we walk hand in hand to the farmhouse.
Lick lets out happy barks as she zooms all over the place, loving the open space.
“She’s so cute,” Kelcie chuckles. “We’re going to have to bathe her when she’s done playing in the snow.”
“I gave her a bath two days ago, so we can just dry her off when she comes inside,” I reply as we take the stairs up to the front door. “I want to build a wraparound porch.”
“That’s a lot of work, Levi,” Kelcie says. “Are you going to hire help?”
I shake my head. “I don’t want a stranger touching our house.” I glance at her as I pull the keys out of my pocket. “Sorry, I know it sounds weird.”
Kelcie rubs a hand up and down my back while I unlock the door. “I understand, and it’s not weird.”
When we step into the house, my eyes are glued to her face. Her lips part, and I watch as she falls in love with our home.
