sun set. And though she seemed content there, happy, even — I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
It wasn’t until Tank neighed, annoyed at the lack of attention, that Ruby Grace finally let me go.
“I see you, too, Tank,” she said, voice soft as the smile on her face as she slipped out of my arms and over to him. She ran her hand over his neck, fingers touching his mane. “You look like you’re ready for an adventure.”
“I think he knows where we’re going,” I said. “It’s one of his favorite places, too.”
“And where exactly is it that we’re going?”
I smiled, patting Tank’s saddle. “Hop up and you’ll find out.”
We were both quiet on the trail, the only sound the rhythmic, soothing sound of Tank’s hooves hitting the dirt and the soft buzzing of the insects coming alive as the sun set. I let my eyes wash over the lake, the tall weeds and flowers in the fields, the tall trees, their branches hanging over and shading the trail from time to time. And Ruby Grace rested her cheek between my shoulder blades, her arms wrapped around me, breathing soft.
Something was on her mind.
We hadn’t talked much all week — mostly because I was honoring my promise to let her have her time to sort everything out. I had no idea what had happened since we parted, how she had broken the news to her family, to Anthony. I imagined they were still figuring out how to handle the fall out, since I hadn’t heard anyone gossiping about it yet.
I knew that time would come. And I’d be there for her when it did.
“I think there’s a storm coming,” she mused, pointing to some building clouds in the distance. As if on cue, a soft roll of thunder made its way over the lake.
“Don’t worry. We’ll have shelter.”
The sun had just dipped below the horizon when we reached our destination, and I pulled Tank to a stop, hopping down before tying him up to his favorite tree. It was right by the edge of the lake, and he could graze the grass next to it and get as much water as he wanted.
“Good boy,” I said, rubbing his neck as I fished out an apple from my saddle pack.
“A treehouse?” Ruby Grace asked as I helped her down. She slid her hands in her back pockets as soon as her boots were on the ground, and I inhaled a stiff breath.
I was so jealous of those goddamn hands…
“This isn’t just a treehouse,” I told her. “This is the treehouse. It’s in the best location, made from the sturdiest wood, and it has the absolute coolest hangout inside. It’s award-winning. And usually, girls aren’t allowed. But, you know, I’ll make an exception just this once.”
She smirked, nudging me with her shoulder as she scanned the treehouse.
It was nestled in an old, sturdy oak, with planks of wood hammered to the trunk that led all the way up to the door. It wasn’t a luxurious treehouse, like the fancy ones that had plumbing and a bed. There were folks in town who built those kinds, mostly with the purpose of renting them out to tourists. But no, this was a true treehouse — built by a father with love for his sons.
Ruby Grace seemed to be taking in every corner of it, from the different-colored wood to the small windows and tin roof. Her hazel eyes swept over every inch.
And my eyes stayed on her.
“Can we go inside?”
I scoffed. “Of course. Why do you think we’re here?” I unhooked my saddle bag, tossing it over my shoulder before I held my hand out for hers. “M’lady.”
I helped Ruby Grace up the stairs first, popping the latch on the bottom door and keeping my hand on the small of her back as she climbed inside. When she plopped down on the floor and looked around, I reached up and to the right, flicking on the generator, and with it, all the string lights hanging inside.
And that’s when Ruby Grace gasped.
“Wow,” she breathed as I climbed the rest of the way up. I still couldn’t take my eyes off her, not with her eyes wide like that, her mouth hanging open.
The inside of the treehouse was where the real magic lived.
There were eclectic rugs covering every space of the floor, collected over the years from places Mom and Dad traveled together. Four, giant bean bags large enough for at least two