“Thanks,” she smiles over at me.
We settle back into the cushions, my arm back around Sutton, and look at the darkening sky. Stars begin to appear, twinkling in their arrival.
“When is your birthday?” Sutton turns her head back to look at me.
“February 19th.”
“I’m January 19th!” Her voice rings with excitement.
I laugh. “You don’t say?”
“Yup. Except I’m a few years younger than you.”
“How are you so sure? Maybe you’re the older one in this relationship,” I tease.
“Are you calling me old?” She sits up with a hand over her chest and mouth dropped.
“What if I am?” I play along with her mocking humor.
“Ever been with a cougar?” Her eyebrows waggle, and I burst out laughing.
“Get over here, cougar.” I bring her close to me again. “I’m twenty-nine.” My fingers brush against her exposed shoulder.
“Pfft… I’m twenty-five, oldie.” She playfully slaps my chest. Before she can remove it, I grab her hand and lace our fingers together. Then, I lift our hands and kiss the inside of her wrist.
Sutton trembles beside me and scoots closer.
“Are you cold?” I look down at her silhouette. Once the sun dips behind the mountains, night comes fast.
“No, I’m just gettin’ comfy.” She shifts her body until her head is leaning right below my shoulder. I keep our linked hands on the other side of my chest.
“I can turn on the light back here,” I suggest.
“Nah, let’s look at the stars.”
Silence washes over us as we stare at the sky. I run my hand back and forth across her shoulder as I inhale her sweet perfume that floats in the breeze. I feel like I’m living a different life as I lie here with Sutton.
Just the other day, I believed I had no other role than to be a father and sulk in the past. Sometime between Sutton running into me and fishing, she wiggled her way into my life. I don’t even know what exactly happened, but I do know that this moment is perfect.
A content sigh leaves Sutton’s lips, and I brush her hair away from her face and behind her ear. “What are you thinking?” I look down to make out what I can of her face.
“How nice this is. I’m going to take the opportunity since it’s dark, and chances are you can’t see my face, to confess that I’ve had a crush on you for a few months. I didn’t really think we’d go out, so I’m enjoying this moment.”
I chuckle at her honesty. “I’m glad I asked you. These last few years haven’t been easy, and I was hesitant to ask at first.” I tell her the truth. “But I kept seeing you, and the fight I was trying to put up started to dissolve. With help, I’m starting to realize I need to start living my life again.”
Sutton turns over and puts her arm on my chest and rests her chin on it. Her other arm swings around my body.
“Whatever happened, I’m grateful that you want me in your life.”
I blindly reach for her. Sutton’s laugh rings through the night sky like music to my ears.
“That’s my nose,” she says as she snorts. I’d bet a million dollars she’s blushing right now, and I wouldn’t be as rich as I am for sharing this moment with her.
She grabs my hand and kisses the inside of my palm before placing it on her cheek, reading my mind. My thumb brushes against her smooth skin as I collect my thoughts to speak.
“Penny’s mom, Hadley, and I were high school sweethearts, and we got married when we were twenty-one. Penny was born a few years after, yet earlier than we planned on having children. Hadley was still in school, and I was working on the ranch already. I was certain we’d make it work, though. I believe that things come to us when we’re ready, so we prepared for this baby.” I take a hard swallow and a deep breath. Sutton is still as I speak.
“About six months after Penny was born, she left us. Hadley had a hard time after giving birth, but I blamed it on postpartum depression and read all I could about the topic. It didn’t get any better, and one day she packed her stuff and said she couldn’t do this anymore.
“She left Everton and never looked back, leaving me with an infant. My entire world crashed down on me. I’m certain if it weren’t for the love I have for Penny, I wouldn’t be in the place I am right now. I never expected Hadley to do that, and I should’ve been more aware of the signs.”
“Don’t blame yourself for that,” Sutton interrupts me. Her hand moves to my cheek, and I close my eyes for a moment. I wish I had a clear view of her face, but it’s somehow easier to speak about this in the dark.
“I was a mess. I was a hands-on father before, but when I saw myself as a full-time parent, I didn’t know where to begin. Suddenly, the house was closing in on me, and I couldn’t remember where Penny’s diapers were. Silly things that I knew like the back of my hand. I eventually moved in with my parents. They helped me like crazy to raise her, as did the rest of my family. Abbie was an angel, and I’ll never be able to repay her for the support she offered.” My heart beats fiercely.
“I had no idea. I’m so sorry you went through that. I know that apologies are empty coming from me, but I can’t even imagine what that felt like.”
“It was hard. It still is some days,” I admit with heaviness.
“What about Hadley’s parents. Doesn’t Penny know her other grandparents?”
I shake my head. “They were in a freak car accident a couple
