was informed that would be the case for a few more weeks to come. I just wish things would get back to the way they were.
Brick opens my door, grabs my bag, and lifts me up. I start to protest before his glare stops me.
“You’re not completely healed, baby,” he says, somehow putting the sunglasses on my face. “This is rough gravel and a good distant walk to the house. Not to mention the stairs. Just hush it and enjoy the ride.”
My first instinct is to elbow him in the chest for telling me to hush. But, feeling the hardness of his body under mine, I forget my small frustration and lean my head against his shoulder. I’ll enjoy the ride. But I’ll be picturing myself poking him in the eye.
Brick must know what direction my thoughts went because he chuckles as he walks towards the house.
“My baby,” a woman screeches, causing me to look up.
Brick sighs. But it doesn’t sound aggravated. More amused.
“Hey, mama,” he says. “You look beautiful.”
“Oh, you’re just trying to butter me up so, I’ll make you a pie. And this must be Jessalyn.”
I struggle, hoping Brick will put me down. Feeling his arms tighten, I give up and smile at his mother.
“Hello, darling,” she says, sounding so much like her son. “Come on, Adam. Bring her inside. Dinner is almost ready.”
Brick follows his mother without another word. But he does lean down and kiss my forehead while walking. Almost like it was second nature.
Brick walks us inside and sits me down on the couch. I take a look around and am stunned. From the outside, the house looks like your typical two-story house. Nothing special. Nothing that would cause you to take a second look.
But inside is an entirely different story.
There’s a brick fireplace, a low-hanging chandelier, a beautiful light gray couch and chair set, a large flat screen tv mounted on the wall, and a wall surrounded by pictures of happy faces.
But my absolute favorite part is the ceiling to floor double window that looks out into their backyard. I stand up and slowly make my way over to the window. Looking around, there’s nothing but land for as far as I can see. Land covered in animals and cornfields. And a huge red barn.
Amazing.
“Welcome to Parker Farm, little darlin’,” Brick wraps his strong arms around my waist.
I lean back against his body and just enjoy the view. I don’t think I ever want to leave.
“Adam, darling,” Brick’s mother says from behind us. “Your father is in the kitchen waiting to meet that pretty girl.”
Brick turns us around, and we follow his mother.
We enter the most beautiful kitchen I have ever seen. The counters are all made of a beautiful light blue and white marble. The fridge is a colossal stainless-steel monster sitting right next to a six-burner stainless-steel stove. Instead of a kitchen table, they have an island right in the center of the room.
And the smells coming from this room make my mouth water. I haven’t had solid food in such a long time. I could probably eat a few servings today.
Brick’s mom laughs at my reaction.
“It takes a lot of food to feed farmers,” she says. “And you probably noticed how big my boy is.” She nods towards Brick, who grins and shakes his head. “I need a lot of room for the amount of food we have to buy.”
I smile. I imagine it does take quite a bit to feed the man currently towering over me.
“Chains and the girls are coming over for dinner,” Brick guides me to a stool at the island and helps me sit.
“I know, darling,” she says to her son. “He called not too long ago.”
“Well, is anyone going to introduce me?”
I search out the deep voice and find a man leaning against a wall on the other side of the room. I can see now where Brick gets his looks from. If it weren’t for the age difference, Brick and his father could be twins.
I can’t help but get lost as I look into this man’s eyes. Dark eyes filled with warmth and kindness stare back at me. So much like Bricks. But I can feel a difference. These eyes have a long history. Laugh lines crinkled at the corner of his eyes from years of happiness.
I wonder if Brick will have laugh lines as he gets older. I wonder if he will live a life of happiness.
“Dad, this is Jessalyn,” Brick says, gently urging