“Hey, are you here to pick up Harris?”
“Yes. As if I would wait at home.” I chuckle, knowing the feeling. Poppy helped a lot when Sutton left on her first tour and also this time, assuring me how quickly time would pass. Having someone who could guide me, even though it seems silly, was a blessing, especially with the media. They may have backed off, but word about Sutton and my relationship still roamed the land of the internet.
“Ah, here they come.” She claps her hands. I turn to the street and see the bus coming around the corner. A smile breaks out in my face, anticipation making my heart beat fiercely.
As soon as the bus stops, Sutton rushes out of it and runs toward me. I laugh as I watch her slender form come at me and prepare to catch her. She jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around me and kissing me despite being in public with a whole town as our audience.
I hold her to me, not caring about anything else at the moment but this woman.
“Hi,” she whispers against my lips with a gorgeous smile.
“Hi.” I kiss her forehead before she wraps her arms around me in a tight hug.
“I missed you,” she admits, though I already know it because the feeling is mutual.
“Same, babe.”
Sutton drops her feet to the ground and smiles up at me. When she looks around, she asks, “Where’s Penny?”
I grin, loving how much she loves my daughter as if she were her own. She may not be blood-related, but I hope one day she’ll be more to her.
“She’s staying with my parents tonight.” I wink.
“Oh, does this mean I get you all to myself? Now, that’s a great welcome home celebration.” She shakes her body, and I can’t wait to feel her moving with me.
I laugh and take her hand. “Let’s get your things and go.”
“Impatient, huh?” Her eyebrows waggle.
“I haven’t had you to myself in weeks,” I whisper in her ear and smirk when she shivers.
After talking to Knox, Ainsley, and Harris for a few minutes, I hold Sutton’s hand and walk to my truck, opening the door for her before placing her bags on the bed of my truck.
“Um… my house is in the other direction,” Sutton comments when I start driving.
“I know, but I’ve got something to show you first.” I glance at her quickly before looking back at the winding road.
When I drive onto the dusty road, I see Sutton’s eyebrows furrow out of the corner of my eye as she leans forward in curiosity. I hold in my smile, wishing I weren’t driving so I could fully witness her reaction. I slow my truck as Sutton leans forward and holds on to the dashboard with wide eyes.
I put my truck in Park and turn to her. Her same wide eyes look at me.
“What is this?”
“Come on.” I open my door and hold her hand, guiding her out of the truck on my side.
She sees the view in front of us. “You’re building a house?” Her eyes light up. “This is amazing, Gavin.”
Her body vibrates with excitement.
“We’ve been working on it for a few months. Eli’s in charge of the construction. We’re on my parents’ property, but it’s far enough away that it’s private. It should be done by summer,” I explain, gauging her reaction.
“Whoa, you didn’t mention it to me this whole time. You’ve been working on this for a few months?” Her brows furrow with confusion, looking between me and the construction site.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.” I walk her further onto the property, the walls still half-built, but the frame standing sturdy already.
“It’s a four-bedroom house with three bathrooms.” I walk her through. “A room for Penny.” I show her where that would be. “A big kitchen and living space so her friends can come over.” I continue to guide her as I point out where each room will be.
“And this…” I stand in the middle of an open space. “Would be the master bedroom.”
“Wow,” Sutton whispers as she spins around. “It looks like it would be big.”
“Yes, we drew up plans. I wanted to make sure it was perfect for us.”
“Penny is going to love it.” Sutton smiles, taking it all in.
“How about you?” I tilt my head and look at her. Clearly, she hasn’t gotten the hint yet.
“Me?” Her hand moves to her chest.
“Yes. This is for us: you, Penny, and me. You’ve already given my heart a home, but I want to share this house with you. Make it ours. Have extra space for future kids.”
Her eyes pop open, and I chuckle. “What do you say? Do you want to live with Penny and me?”
“You’re serious? Yes! Of course, I do. But wait, have you spoken to Penny about this?” A concerned frown creases the space between her eyebrows.
“I have. She’s seen the house so far and loves the idea of having our own place. I’ve spoken to her about everything.”
“Everything?” Sutton cocks her head.
“Yup. I do have one condition for living with you.” I raise my forefinger.
Before she can ask, I drop on one knee and pull a small box from my pocket. Sutton’s hands lift to her open mouth.
“You move in as my wife. You’ve given me hope, a second chance when I thought there was nothing left of me but the shell of a man I once was. You’ve shown me who that person is again, allowed me to rediscover myself. I love you with all my heart, even when I didn’t want to, was afraid to. I promise to keep feeding you cupcakes, finding time for rides and sunset picnics, and making you happy. Sutton Wright, will you marry me?” I open the box encasing the round cut diamond ring.
“You want to get married? I know we had talked about it briefly as something in our future, but I thought…” Tears stream down her
