by Smith, Wendy
The garden’s full of golden trees, some missing leaves. The autumn air has a chill to it, but it’s not too cold.
I wish it was spring so I could show her just how beautiful it is at that time of year too. I’ll have to bring her back.
She holds my hand as I lead her around the garden.
“When we moved here, the section had been emptied to build the house. There were a few trees and ferns, but we all filled in the gaps.”
Mia nods. “It’s so peaceful.”
“And then later on when I was in my early teens, I realised I had a bit of a green thumb. I planted the flowers and made a bit of a vegetable garden, which Dad still uses.”
“I love it here.”
“Still want to move to Copper Creek next year?”
Mia stops, turning and draping her arms over my shoulders. “More than anything. I want to be a part of this, James. I want to hang out with your brothers and their wives and girlfriends. I want to live here with you.”
I brush her lips with mine. “I’m glad to hear it. We’ve got somewhere to live when we move here if we want it, too.”
Her mouth falls open. “Really? Where?”
“Owen and Ginny are building a house. It’ll be finished by the end of the year, and then their flat will be available. Owen says we can have it rent-free.”
“That’s so kind.”
“It’s two bedrooms, and right behind the bakery. So, central but back from the main road. It’s not huge, but we don’t need that much space. If we need storage, Dad’s got a huge shed that’s perfect for it right over there.” I point at the shed and lick my lips. “And Adam said I can work at the garage.”
Mia grins. “That’s wonderful. Then maybe you can finally teach me about starter motors.”
I laugh, wrapping my arms around her waist. “I can. We can get some outdoor furniture for the deck and you can sit in the sun and write your text books.”
“I love that idea.”
“We’ll make it work, Mia.”
She nods. “I’m so tired of hiding. I can’t wait to not have to worry about it anymore.”
I can’t help the grin on my face. “I’m ready when you are.”
“You’ve been so patient, James.”
“You’re worth the wait.” I let go of her and cup her face, gazing into her eyes. Everything I ever wanted is right in front of me. Whatever she wants, I’ll support her.
And I’ll be proud on the day we tell the world about us.
30
Corey
I hesitate when I get the next hunting job, but Constance talks me into it.
“It’s just one night. I can cope with one night.”
Her words ring in my ears all day.
This one’s not a night job, but it’s a fair distance from home. It’d be easier to stay, but my bed calls, and Constance is in it. It’s the easiest decision in the world to make.
The thought of her and Eli makes the drive go quickly. It’s late when I get in, and Constance seems to be asleep.
After a quick shower, I climb into bed and drape my arm over her.
“Corey?”
“It’s me, sweetness.” I plant a kiss on her bare shoulder. She rolls onto her back and opens her eyes, giving me a hazy smile.
“I didn’t know if you’d be back.”
“There’s no way I’m spending the night away from you. It was a long drive, but I’m glad to be home.”
My hand touches something solid beside her—something that wriggles.
“What the hell?”
Cassius’s cold nose brushes my palm.
“Con, please tell me the dog’s not in the bed.”
“On the bed. Not in it.”
I sigh. “He’s not supposed to be on the bed.”
The smile in her voice is obvious. “I feel safe with him here.”
“I’m sure you do, but he needs to know that it’s not okay to sit on the bed.”
“He’s not exactly sitting.”
“Stop being a smartarse.” I laugh, switching on the bedside lamp.
“You love it.”
I sigh, but she’s right. I do love it. Shifting my gaze to Cassius, I stare him down. He’s still a little skittish at times, so I don’t raise my hand. “Out.”
Cassius makes those big eyes at me, and if I wasn’t trying to prove a point, I’d probably cave and let him stay in the room at least.
“Cassius. Down.”
He jumps off the bed, and I lead him out to the living room. There’s a dog bed by the fireplace, and it’s still warm out here, so I don’t feel bad making him sleep where he’s supposed to.
Curling up, he lets out a whimper before placing his head on his paws.
“Dude. I know you want to be near her. But it’s my turn. And you are not supposed to be sleeping on the bed.” I scratch behind his ears and he gives me a hopeful look. “See you in the morning.”
He settles down, and I shake my head as I turn back to the bedroom.
Constance waves her arms when I shut the door behind me.
“Eli’s in his cot tonight. What about him? I won’t hear him if he wakes up.”
“I’ll open the door when I’m finished.”
She raises her chin, still the defiant woman I met a year ago. Maybe she’s been down lately, but I know she’s about to let loose on me. “Finished what?”
I smirk, and go to my bedside cabinet, plucking out a small box.
Rounding the bed, I drop to one knee.
That irritated expression falls from her face, and her mouth hangs open. “Corey Campbell, what are you doing?”
“I told you that I’d do this when we were both ready. I’m over waiting, Con. You’ve been through so much, and I know you’re still struggling. But the one thing I never want you to be unsure about is how much I love you.”
Tears form in her eyes, and I take her hand in mine.
“You’re the one I want to spend my life with. The only one I can imagine waking up to in the morning. I’m so glad we found each other, and so proud to be Eli’s father. Marry me?” I let go of her hand and open the ring box.
“Corey,” she whispers.
“This was my mother’s. I saw Dad a while ago and told him I was planning this, and he said that this is what Mum would have wanted. If you don’t like it—”
I’m silenced by her kiss as she throws herself almost off the bed, her arms around my shoulders.
I chuckle against her mouth. “I’m guessing that means you like it?”
Tears roll down her cheeks. “I love it.”
I stand slowly, pushing her back onto the bed. I sit beside her and pluck the ring from the box. It’s not over the top; it’s a gold band with diamonds embedded in it. I knew it was Constance the minute Dad offered it to me.
I slide it on her; it’s not a bad fit. She has long, slim fingers like my mother did. “If it’s not quite right, we can get it adjusted.”
“It feels okay. Might have to leave it on for a few days to try it out.”
I grin. “I hope you’ll leave it on for more than a few days.”
Constance laughs as I push her back on the bed, pulling her into my arms.
“You know, you never said yes.”
Her eyes glisten, and it’s been weeks since I’ve seen her this happy. “Yes. Yes. A million times yes.”
“Are you sure?”
She slaps my chest. “Corey …”
“Let’s make it soon. I don’t want to wait much longer.”
“Neither do I.”
“Wanna celebrate?” I shoot her a sly smile, expecting her to melt in my arms. All she does is laugh. “What?”
“I would love to celebrate with you. That look on your face is hilarious.”
I place my hand on my chest. “What are you saying?”
We’ve been intimate a few times since the night Violet was born. Constance has done everything she can to hide from me. I know she still feels self-conscious about the changes
in her body.
“Want to know something?”
Her lips curl into a smile. “Tell me.”
“Even if you gave birth a dozen times, I’d still want to fuck you until you couldn’t walk.”
“You want a dozen babies?”
“Is that really what you want to take from that sentence?”
She laughs. “I love you, Corey Campbell.”
“I love you too. Have I proved my point yet?”
Constance nods. Her eyes shine with happiness, and her smile lights my heart. “Yes. Yes you have.”
“Is this where I should strip you out of that nightgown and kiss you all over?”
She licks her lips. “Maybe.”
“I can think of better uses for that tongue.”
She shoves my shoulder. “You’re terrible.”
“Sometimes. But as long as I put a smile on your face, I’ll keep on being that way.”
Constance leans her head on my shoulder. “Do you want to know something that’s not terrible?”
I laugh. “What?”
“The way you look at me. All I ever see is love in your eyes.”
“Because that’s all I feel when I’m with you. I love you so fucking much, Con.”
“I know you do. And you know I feel the same way.”
She laughs against my mouth as I kiss her again, sweeping my tongue over hers.
I kiss her so hard, she pants when she comes up for breath. “I love the way you kiss me.”
I’ve got my hands on the hem of her nightgown, and with her help, I pull it over her head.
“I love kissing you. You’re mine, and I like showing you that.” I reach for the elastic of her panties and slide them down her legs. “I want to worship my woman’s pussy. And the rest of her. But right now, this.”
She laughs softly as I plunge my tongue into her. This is what I miss when I’m not with her. I’ve always been a man who liked going down on a woman, but doing it with Constance is on a whole other level. I love her familiar smell, her taste, and I also know I’m the only one who’s given her this kind of pleasure before—and I love that this pleasure is all mine. I’ll be the only one to ever do it.
Constance rakes her fingers through my hair. God, that feels good. It still makes me laugh how much she hated it when I shaved my beard off. It must tickle and scratch her legs, but she seems to prefer it to my cleanshaven look.
I’ll do anything to make her happy.
“Corey.”
I love the sound of my name rolling off her tongue. It makes me all the more determined to give her as much pleasure as I can.
She lifts off the bed as she comes, pushing her pussy toward me. I lap up everything she offers before moving over the top of her. Her eyes are closed, and she takes a deep breath as if composing herself.
“Sweetness,” I whisper. Being between her legs is like being home. I let out a contented sigh as I slide into her. Oh no. I freeze.
“Shit.”
“What?” she asks, alarm in her eyes.
“Do we need a condom? I remember Margaret saying something about not relying on breastfeeding.”
“You didn’t think of that the last few times we had sex?” Constance laughs, slapping me on the chest. “Doctor Paton fitted me with an IUD last time I saw him.”
I shrug. “Obviously sex with you was so distracting, I haven’t been paying attention.”
She rolls her eyes. “Well, at least one of us is being responsible.”
“Maybe I’m not concerned about getting you pregnant again.”
Her mouth falls open. “Can we get past the sleepless-night stage first?” She runs her finger down my arm. “Unless you want to be the stay-at-home dad while I go out to hunt.”
I capture her mouth with mine, sucking on her bottom lip as I pull away. “Last time we practiced, you were a lousy shot. You’d need another occupation.”
She laughs, and it’s music to my ears. Constance hasn’t laughed much lately, and I need to fix that. I need to make things better.
She gives me a slow smile as I thrust. Each movement is matched by Constance lifting her hips to meet me. We’re a perfect match.
“I want more babies,” I say.
She smiles. “Me too.”
I grin, speeding up my hips as I lean over to kiss her. Covering her mouth with mine, I swallow her moans, and my groan as I come lets go into hers.
I slow, and when I pull out, I roll to her side. Eli’s cry pierces the quiet.
“That’s our boy.” I lean my head against hers.
“He’s certainly as loud as you are.” She laughs.
I press a kiss to her temple. “I’ll go and get him.”
“He’ll probably stop crying when you pick him up. Baby whisperer.”
I laugh, pulling back the blanket and stepping out of the bed. “I’m not sure about that. He’s bound to want a feed, and I can’t do that.”
“You could try,” she calls as I leave the room and head across the hallway.
Eli lets out another scream as I walk in the door, and I pick him up, cradling him in my arms. “Settle down. Daddy’s here.”
Those words still grip my heart. I never thought I’d be anyone’s daddy. And in my arms is this small child I helped create.
“Come on, little man. Let’s go get some food.”
I carry him through to the bedroom and murmur some appreciation over the sight of Constance sitting up in bed.
She’s still naked, and I love the sight of it.
I pass Eli to her, and in an instant, he’s latched on and feeding.
This is a moment I want to burn into my brain forever. Constance strokes Eli’s cheek, talking to him the whole time. Seeing them together is magical.
“Corey, come back to bed.”
I climb in beside her and watch over her shoulder. Eli’s completely at peace right now, and it warms my heart. The bond between him and Constance is so strong.
“This is what makes it all worth it,” she whispers.
I kiss her bare shoulder, and she shifts her focus from Eli to me. “You and Eli are my life. I know I’ve been tired and struggling at times, but you and he are everything.”
“I love both of you so much.” I murmur, pressing my lips just behind her ear.
She sighs, and it’s a contented sigh, not the exasperated one that seems to be common for her lately.
“Tomorrow, you stay in bed. I’ll take care of everything.”
“Corey, you don’t—”
I silence her with a kiss. This woman is the love of my life, the one I spent so many years waiting for.
“I do and I will. I’m not saying you have to spend the whole day in bed, but put your feet up. I’ll bring Eli to you when he needs a feed, and I’ll do all the housework.”
She smiles. “You’re so good to me.”
“It’s the least you deserve. You do all the hard work around here.” I grip her hand. “What I don’t want is for you to feel alone. I’m here, babe. Even when I’m not in this house, I’m still with you.”
She snuggles into my chest, and I run my fingers down her spine.
Eli pulls off her breast, and stares up at her. I know how he feels. I like staring at her too.
“I’ll change his nappy.” I let her go and hold out my arms.
She rocks our boy. “Leave him for a moment. He’s happy.”
“I’d be happy too if I was snuggled that close to you.”
Constance laughs. “Mummy and Daddy are getting married, Eli. How do you feel about that?”
“I’m sure he’s over the moon about it.”
“I am. I’m so happy that Daddy’s making good on that promise he made my daddy.”
I chuckle. “What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
31
Corey
I’m nervous.
It’s not my usual state, and it pisses me off. But I finally decided that it was time to do something about
the work situation. Now I have Constance and Eli, I need to get a stable job and one that means I can spend all my nights at home.
Constance will probably have a shit-fit over it. She didn’t want anything to disrupt our life the way it was, but Eli was a happy disruption. I’m doing this for them.
As I pull up to the construction site, I take a deep breath. I’ve never applied for a job before. Not that I’ve put in any kind of application. I’m hoping that showing up and being enthusiastic is enough.
After climbing out of the car, I walk up to the site office, and grin when I see who’s on the way out. Tim Barker. I went to school with him back in the day.
He smiles. “Corey Campbell, as I live and breathe. What brings you down here?”
I give him a sharp nod. “Actually, I’m looking for work.”
He grins. “We’re always on the hunt for labourers. Are you sure? I thought you had some hunting gig.”
“I do, but my fiancée and I just had a baby, and I’d rather work days than nights. At least for a while.”
He nods. “I’d be really happy to have you. This project is scheduled to go until the end of the year, and I’ve usually got work going on in the Carlstown area. I appreciate it’d be a bit of a commute, but if things work out here there’s always an opportunity for a building apprenticeship.”
I smile. “Sounds good. We’ll see how it goes.”
Tim extends his hand. “That works for me.”
I shake it, and take a deep breath. I’m not sure what Constance will think. As much as she’ll love me being at home, I know she’s going to think this is me giving up what I love for her. I love the outdoors, camping, hunting and tracking—but it’ll all still be there whenever I want to return. As long as my family is happy and healthy. “Thanks, Tim.”
“You’re welcome. Always happy to help an old friend.” He smiles. “Besides, there’s a fair bit of heavy lifting, and you look like you’d be capable of shifting a ton or two.”
“Sounds perfect, then.”
“Don’t you want to know how much it pays?”
I laugh. “I suppose I’d better find out.”
“Come up to the site office, and we’ll have a chat.”
* * *
