I slap my hand over my chest and try to act offended. “Mother, you wound me.” I know better, and I make a mental note to thank Mom later. The pond is her favorite place on the farm, and the mothering Mom can’t seem to help herself from doing is what my girl needs.
“Oh, come on.” She laughs. “There. Chicken salad sandwiches, pretzels, fresh fruit, and a couple of bottles of water.”
“This is great. Thank you so much,” Whitney says.
“Give me some love and you kids enjoy your afternoon. Aaron, there’s a clean quilt in the laundry room. Pick it up on your way out.”
Whit embraces her. Then Mom turns on me and I do the same. Grabbing the basket and Whit’s hand, I head out. She grabs the quilt from on top of the dryer and we’re in my truck on the way to a peaceful afternoon.
The drive is short and quiet. Once we reach the pond, I grab the basket, and Whit grabs the blanket. “You know,” I say as we walk toward the dock, “I’ve been thinking more about building my own place. I mean, it’s pretty sad that my mom packs me and my girl a picnic lunch. You won’t stay over because I live with them, and I get it, but I want you in my bed all the time, every night. It’s time to make that happen.”
“Well, let’s see. It’s not sad that she packed us a lunch. Anyone who knows your mom knows it was done out of love and kindness, not that she feels she needs to wait on you. As far as your own place, if you think you’re ready to do it, I say go for it. If it puts me in your arms at night, I’m definitely on board.”
Whitney lays out the quilt and takes a seat. I set the basket down and take my spot beside her. “Come here.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her. Her stomach growls, causing her to giggle and me to pull away.
“I skipped breakfast,” she admits.
“It was a late start day too. You must have been up late editing those pictures. They were great by the way.”
“Thank you.”
“So, you think you could get off early tomorrow too?” I watch as she mentally goes through what she has going on tomorrow.
“Should be fine. What’s up?”
“I made an appointment with a contractor to come out and go over house plans.”
She coughs on the drink of water she just took. “Wow, okay, you’re really ready to move on this.”
“I am. I want you to be a part of it.”
“Aaron. . . .”
“I love you, Whitney. That’s not going to change. It’s going to be our place. At least, that’s what I’m hoping.”
“Are you asking me to move in with you?”
“Among other things.” I keep it vague. I didn’t really plan this conversation; shit just spews out of my mouth, not that I don’t mean it.
“Other things?” she asks hesitantly.
“Yeah, you know, when I can convince you to change your last name, but I’m all for it being before then.”
“Aaron,” she breathes.
“Don’t worry, this isn’t your official proposal, but I want that. With you, I want that. I want it all, Whit. So yeah, I want your input on the house that I plan for us to live in. I mean, you’re good here right? You like the farm and living here in Kentucky?”
She takes another sip of water, collecting her thoughts. “I love the farm, you know that.”
I nod. I do know; she’s told me time and time again. That just makes me love her more.
“Kentucky feels like home to me.”
“Good. I’ll handle Kinley if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“No, it’s not that, but I mean it’s only been a few months.”
“You’re right. A few incredible months of falling more and more in love with you.”
“I love you,” she says with a watery smile.
“Oh, baby, you have no idea.” She doesn’t, and I don’t know how to tell her. I don’t know how to put into words what I feel for her. Telling her that one day I want her to be my wife seems like the best I’ve got right now. I’m more of a showing than a telling kind of guy. “Eat,” I say, reaching into the basket and laying out the food.
After we eat, we spend the rest of the day lying on that quilt under blue skies, discussing plans. Plans for the house, for the farm, for life. It’s one of the best days of my life, and I owe it all to her.
I’ve looked at my phone a million times. Kinley’s noticed and she thinks it’s because of the meeting this afternoon with the contractor. Aaron was waiting on me when I got here this morning. Apparently, he did as he said he would and took care of Kinley. He called her last night to let her know he needed me this afternoon. They were both all smiles when I pulled in this morning. So much so that Kinley hugged me hard as soon as I made it through the studio door.
“Go ahead and get out of here. Aaron’s been on the front porch for the last twenty minutes.” Kinley points out the window, and sure enough, he’s sitting on the rocking chair, looking through a binder of house plans that he’s gathered.
“You sure?”
“Yes, go. I can’t wait to see what y’all decide on.”
I smile at her. “Thanks, Kinley.” I wish that I could be more excited about today, but it’s hard with the results looming over my head. I talked to Kathy this morning and told her I would be with Aaron, to not text the results. Just to text me to call her and I would as soon as I could get away.
After she lectured me for keeping it from him, she finally agreed. I just don’t want to bring him down. I know he loves me, and this would take away from his excitement over the house. Granted, I didn’t know about that until yesterday, but still that proves that I made the right decision.
Aaron is so engrossed in the plans that I’m able to reach the steps before he notices me. “Hey, you’re early.” He stands to greet me.
“Yeah, things were quiet, so Kinley told me to go ahead and go.” I hug him back when he wraps his arms around me. “You excited?”
“Does a bear shit in the woods?”
I laugh. “Really?” I ask him.
“Yes, I’m excited. I’ve wanted this for a long time. I was just waiting for you.” Gravel crunching under tires has us looking toward the driveway. “That’s him. He’s early too. Come on, we’re going to meet in my office in the barn.”