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I braced myself as I cracked open the door and peeked inside. The smell of bleach, warm milk, and manure flooded my senses. There was a lifetime of memories wrapped up in those smells. Much to my surprise, I found myself regarding the aroma quite fondly. Long hours spent milking cows with my dad and siblings, pull-up competitions on the pipes running throughout the barn, water fights, and long talks with my dad flowed into my thoughts like a warm hug from an old friend. Even before I stepped one foot into the barn, I was home.
The word brought to mind visions of home and family and warm memories filled with hugs from my grandparents, and maple syrup slathered on fresh, steaming hotcakes.
The moment I found myself too weak to stand, Cade, pulled me to him. He crushed my head against his chest while our heartbeats thrashed about wildly together. It was then I realized the arms that held me so tight were shaking.
Cade had a taste of it tonight… that raw vulnerability. But instead of feeling embarrassed or ashamed, he tucked my worry beneath his arms, soothed my fears with his touch, and chased away the nightmare.
“You keep the world out. Open up and let the sunshine in, Red. I’ll only bite a little bit.”
There were so many things I wanted to say with this kiss. So many things that were difficult for me to say any other way. I kissed him for saving my life. I kissed him for making me laugh, for putting me in my place, and for teasing me. I kissed him for making me feel special. And for this date. This glorious and magical and most confusing date that I wished could go on forever. But mostly, I kissed him for me, because I was starting to wonder if Stitch really was right about that fine line between love and hate.
It’s also amazing how in the space of one summer you can have two fiancés, but that’s the thing about love stories—sometimes it takes a wrong turn to go in the right direction. Sometimes home is exactly where you left it.
With the right man, my worries turned to calmness, my doubts to faith, my fears to bravery, and my insecurities to confidence.
