down the rabbit hole on a couple of design shows.”
He touched her back to get her to walk out of the horse’s stall ahead of him. “You’re obsessed with decorating.”
“No, I just like looking at all those pretty places. They’re all clean and neat when real life isn’t. My place is small, it’s just me, and I still can’t keep it as picture-perfect as those places look on TV.”
“I’m so glad you changed your plans and came out to the ranch to surprise me.”
“You don’t mind?”
To show her how much he appreciated her making the drive and taking the time, he kissed her softly, hoping to convince her to stay for dinner—and maybe the night.
He didn’t know if they were there yet.
With any other woman, he’d simply seduce her into inviting him back to her place.
But this was Liz.
And he didn’t want to go to her place, he wanted her right here with him, sharing his bed.
Big difference.
While he’d never brought anyone home to the ranch—because he shared the house with his siblings—he wanted Liz to stay.
He’d thought about it a lot yesterday and all day today.
She fit.
She belonged here.
It scared him. In a good way. Because it felt real and important and like he was on the cusp of changing his life and getting what he really wanted.
He didn’t expect them to go from friend to forever without taking the time to explore and experience this new phase of their relationship.
He didn’t want to rush.
He wanted to show her that this was important to him. She meant something to him. More than he’d ever let himself feel or acknowledge.
So he poured that into the kiss, hoping she understood and felt everything he didn’t know how to say to her.
His phone rang in his pocket.
He broke the kiss and stared into her dazed eyes, happy to see he’d made an impression. “Sorry. Trinity said she might need some help tonight at Almost Homemade.”
Liz swept her hands over his chest. “Take it.”
He wanted to take her up to the house and have his way with her. But he pulled the phone from his pocket and smiled at the caller ID. “Hey, Ma. How are you? What are you and Dad up to today?”
“Not much. I’m checking in on my kids.” She did that at least once a week no matter where they were on their cross-country tour.
“Where are you?”
“Yosemite. It’s beautiful here. Dad says hi. How are you?”
“I’m good. Great actually. A beautiful woman swung by for a surprise visit.” Tate winked at Liz.
She smiled, leaned in, and said, “Hi, Mrs. McGrath.”
“Is that Liz?”
“Yeah, Ma.” He brushed his hand over Liz’s hair and filled in his mom on the biggest change in his life. “She and I, well, we’re seeing each other now.”
“About time.”
He rolled his eyes. “What does that mean?”
Liz cocked up an eyebrow, wondering what his mom said to him.
“I knew eventually you’d want to settle down with her.” Absolute certainty filled her voice.
“You did?”
“You’ve loved her forever.” She said it as matter-of-factly as saying he liked beer.
Did everyone see what he’d missed all these years? “How did you know when I didn’t?”
“Tate, you picked her to be yours when you were still talking in one-word sentences. You looked at her, said, 'Mine,' and that was it. I saw it in you when you two played together. She’s been your friend and confidant your whole life. Most people drift apart as they get older and especially when they aren’t in school together anymore. Not you and Liz. You made a point to stick close to her. She did the same with you. I always thought you were meant to be. I bet her parents feel the same, though I bet her mother wants to know what’s taken you so long. Me, I know you needed time to live a little and decide what you wanted your life to be.” She sighed, and he imagined her raising her shoulders and holding up her hands, the way she did. “Boys take longer to figure things out.”
He rolled his eyes at that.
“Liz always knew,” his mom announced, like he didn’t already know that. “I’m glad you see it now.”
So was he. He’d never felt this hopeful about any of his other relationships.
“I hope you two will be happy together.” The warmth in her voice assured him she was happy for him and Liz.
“Thanks, Ma.” He weaved his fingers through Liz’s. “We’re figuring it out, but it feels right.”