A Most Excellent Midlife Crisis - Robyn Peterman Page 0,64
low. It was cold, but not as chilly as the other night. We walked the familiar path hand in hand and a calmness filled my soul.
“I have something to show you.”
I eyed him and raised a brow. “Is that a euphemism for something naughty?”
“Nope,” he said with a laugh. “It’s more of a metaphorical lesson of sorts.”
Shit. That sounded iffy.
“Awesome,” I said, hoping I sounded sincere. “I’m ready.”
I was not ready. I was nowhere near ready.
“Holy crap,” I shouted as we came to the clearing where the garden had been. It was no longer just a garden. The garden was still there, but there was more—much more.
Where there had only been flowers and a huge bed, was now the most beautifully graceful farmhouse I’d ever seen. Rocking chairs and a swing dotted the wraparound front porch, and I spotted a massive chimney on the far-left side of the roof. The house stood two stories. It was large, but not grossly so. It screamed to be loved and lived in.
“Do you like it?” Gideon asked casually.
There was nothing casual about the question. He knew it and I knew it.
“It’s lovely,” I said truthfully. “How many bedrooms?”
“Four, but that can be changed,” he replied.
I nodded and kept staring. “I thought we were going to build it together.”
“We are.”
“But…” I said ,then gasped.
With a wave of his hand, the house collapsed in on itself. Gone was the elegant home. A pile of rubble remained atop a large concrete foundation.
“I didn’t mean for you to do that,” I said. “I just thought…”
With another wave of his hand, a new house took its place. It was a gorgeous fieldstone home with pillars flanking an impressively carved teak front door. As magnificent as it was, it was still homey and inviting.
“Do you like it?” he inquired.
“What’s not to like? It’s beautiful.”
“Knock it down, Daisy,” he urged.
“Are you serious?” I asked, shocked.
“Very,” he replied.
“Umm… not sure I can,” I told him, feeling a strange tingle of adrenaline shoot through me. “I’m good with trees and ripping off car doors, but I don’t know if I can demolish a house.”
Gideon gently pushed me forward. “Knock it down, Daisy. See what happens.”
“You’re nuts.”
Gideon grinned. “I thought we were going to stop discussing my balls.”
“Only in public,” I shot back with a laugh. “In private, your balls are fair game.” All of this was absurd. “Should I punch it?”
“I’d hate to see you break your hand,” Gideon said. “Try using something else.”
“My head?” I suggested, thinking it wasn’t any better of an idea than my fist.
Gideon’s laugh rang out and the sound made me feel pretty damned good. But I still thought headbutting a stone house wasn’t going to end well.
“Use your mind,” he said softly. “Your magic.”
Rolling my eyes, I groaned. “Just because I can get out of your hold and bust through John Travolta’s bubbles does not mean I can demolish a freaking house.”
Gideon shrugged. “You’ll never know until you try.”
Direct challenges were difficult to pass up.
“Fine,” I huffed. “But if you laugh at me when I fail, I’ll take it out on your fully descended balls.”
Again, he laughed.
Again, I felt delight.
“Screw it,” I said, slashing my arm through the air and sending my thoughts at the lovely house.
The rumble caught me off guard. A stone house falling down was much louder than a wooden one.
“What the hell?” I shouted as I watched the destruction in shock.
Gideon’s arms encircled me from behind and he held me close. “What’s left of the house?”
“Not much worth saving,” I said, still unsettled and strangely excited I’d been able to do it.
“Ahh, but there is. The most important part of the house is still there.”
Leaning back on him, I eyed the huge mess and then smiled. He was correct.
“The foundation,” I whispered. “The foundation is still there.”
“Yep,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “The house can fall many times, but a strong foundation is all we need to rebuild.”
“This is your way of telling me it’s okay that I didn’t tell you about my suspicions?” I asked.
“It is.”
“Kind of dramatic,” I said with a little giggle.
“Possibly,” Gideon agreed, “but you’ll never forget it.”
He had that right.
“Gram loved you with all she had for your entire life,” Gideon said. “Her wellbeing is your responsibility. I feel the same way about you.”
“Thank you, Gideon.”
“You’re most welcome, Daisy.”
Looking up at him, I smiled. “Do you think there’s a bed underneath all that rubble?”