Chapter 18

Eden

He's all smiles and cute cowboy with me today, and it's not going unnoticed.

It's actually nice being here, and it's good to laugh with him. I've been so busy over the spring and the summer with back-to-back weddings. March through to September are crazy times for me with outdoor ceremonies. October is also one of my busiest months moving into fall. I have my last October wedding this weekend, so the coming week I will be flat out in preparation for that. Then things will slow down considerably heading into November, though I still have bookings for indoor events, with not much trickling into winter.

I don't mind so much when it slows down because it can be very hectic during the spring and summer months. Maybe working with the Bassett's will give me some more structure to my work/life balance, or it will make me busier than ever.

I bring Blake to work with me when I have events, if it's on the weekends she's with me.

She loves seeing the brides and helping behind the scenes, and I love making someone's day feel like the most magical one in the world. That's what I'm here for.

"It seems like there's so much to work out," I say to Brook, even though he's tried to steer the conversation away from anything too pressing and focus on us having a family day.

"I told you we have an ever-growing list, just keep adding to that."

"And someday we have to address that list."

"We will, all in good time. Maybe we can grab dinner this week and have a chat about the whole thing?"

"Fine." I nod. "That sounds good. I'm flat out this week, but I can fit in with you."

"What are you doing for Thanksgiving?"

"I'm not sure yet." In truth, with being so busy I haven't really thought about it too closely.

"Well, you know you're welcome to our place."

"Is your mom and Aunt Patti doing the big cook off again?"

"You know it."

"Well, my folks are out of town this year so maybe I will." Brook invites me every year, and sometimes I do go, but more often than not I'm at my parents. This year, however, they'll be away on vacation.

"Well it's not far away."

"Eight days to be exact."

"I bet you're glad when fall is over."

"Yeah, it's been a great season this year."

"It makes me happy you're successful, E."

I smile. He definitely has always been supportive in that sense. "Even more so when I start planning for the barn."

"So, it's definite?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Yes!"

A warm smile lights up his whole face. "That's awesome, E."

"I think it's going to be great. I said I'd give your mom and Georgia an answer by the end of the fall at the latest, but I didn't want to keep them waiting."

"Well then you need to come to thanksgiving so we can celebrate that, too. You know my mom, she loves to have everyone over. The more the merrier."

"Sounds good."

"I guess we'll be seeing a whole lot more of each other pretty soon."

I laugh as he leads me to the side garden where he's growing all the veggies.

"Yes, it does. And it's such a great opportunity for me to take my business to the next level. I mean, I have commitments already for next year booked in. But Jodie and I can totally manage the barn bookings. It's a win-win for all of us."

"I think you'll be perfect," he says. "But maybe I'm just biased."

"You think so?" I can't help my smile.

"Yup. And as long as you're still enjoying what you do, that's what matters."

"Yeah. I love it."

"That's half the battle."

We hear barking behind us, then Blake comes crashing through the back on her bike, parking it at the fence line. "Hey, wait for me!"

Brook and I both laugh. "We're not going anywhere," I assure her as Noodle runs past us to greet her. "Dad was just showing me around. I haven't been here in a while."

"Did you tell Mama you've been growing snap peas, among other things, Blake?"

I glance at Blake — she's so much like her daddy sometimes. She has my curly hair, only darker. But she has his blue eyes and the same cheeky smile.

"It's true, Mom. I've been experimenting."

My lips twitch. "Really? You better show me then."

"I've been growing kale and spinach with Dad, too. And potatoes, summer squash, radish, you name it."

"She's quite the little farmer, aren't you Blake?" Brook gives her a scruff on the head as she tries to duck him.

They both proudly show me the sprouting garden, and the virtual herb wall Brook mounted. I have to admit, it's impressive.

It takes a lot of work, I know that much. And you have to have the right soil, something I know Brook likes to do himself; tamper with dirt and experiment with compost.

Then we hang over the fence as Blake jumps in with Mandy, and the goats.

She's a chip off the old block and doesn't mind getting dirty.

"Are we going to have the picnic now?" Blake asks.

"I wondered how long that would take." I laugh.

"I guess we can saddle up. Where would you two like to go?" Brook raises his eyebrows in question toward me, then Blake.

"Down the creek!" Blake jumps up and down with excitement.

I absolutely love the fact she digs the outdoors. It means she's not using electronic devices and watching TV every second, and that's a good thing in my book.

"Down the creek it is." I glance at Brook and he smiles, giving me a cute wink.

"Blake's new saddle is hanging up. Did you tell Mom you had a ride on Sailor with it already?"

"Yup. It was awesome, Mom. She's the best horse."

"How are they all doing?" I ask. I know he has four now, and goodness knows if he's got others in the works. He's always rescuing some waif and stray, and I kinda dig that about him, if I'm honest. It shows what kind of person he is.

"They're doing great. In fact, I think Misty will be happy to see you today."

"What about Apollo? Won't he feel left out?" Blake asks.

"He can come along for the ride, too," Brook says.

She seems happy with that, so we all set about grabbing the picnic things, after an in-depth tour of the herb garden. I strap Noodle in his pouch around me as Brook helps me mount Misty, holding the stirrup while I get my foot inside and push myself up onto the saddle. I wait as Brook walks back and leads Apollo and Bandit out of the stables. There's no way Apollo will want to be left behind — I know Brook often rides him when the opportunity arises. It's also not far down to the creek, and it runs along the expanse of the property, so there's plenty of space to cover.

Blake rides ahead of us while Brook and I trot side by side. He holds onto Apollo next to us, who trots along quietly.

"How nice is this," I sigh, lifting my head up to the sky to feel a little afternoon sun on my face. It's glorious.

"Better than anything," he says. "I'm glad you came out. We haven't done this in ages."

"You're right, it definitely makes you forget everything else going on."

We ride along in companionable silence. It's never uncomfortable around him.

It's amazing watching how Blake has come along with her riding and how confident she is now. "Can you believe that's our girl," I say, as we find the spot to stop for the picnic and to lay a blanket down.

"She's the best." He grins toward me, something twinkling in his eyes that looks like pure mischief. "I think she's got equal parts of you and me."

I laugh now. "I think so too."

He dismounts first and secures both Bandit and Apollo, then assists me down with Noodle still attached to me.

"I think Noodle loves it here too." He gives her a little scruff on the head as her little face pops out of the pouch.

"Oh, she definitely does." And she's possibly not the only one who loves it.

That thought scares me. More than anything I've been scared of in a long time.

I have to be careful here. We tried it once before to reconcile, and things didn't work.

Granted, that was years ago. Would things be different this time? Or are we playing with fire?

It's something I don't have the answers to right at this moment, so I guess I'll add it to the growing pile of things I need to figure out. It seems to be mounting up.

But right here and now, picnicking with my daughter and Brook, I'm content. Noodle is having a little play beside us now she's out of her pouch. The sweet horses surrounding us eating the grass, and the birds singing in the trees make me feel more alive than I have felt in years.

It's a feeling I don't want to let go of, but I'm afraid of what will happen if I do.

Then where does that leave me?

I hear Brook on the phone later that afternoon when he calls his mom.

I can't believe he never called her this morning when he said he was on it. He apparently got tied up with the animals and getting some of the picnic stuff.

His parents deserved to know what was going on with us, but I guess they've found out for themselves now.

"Mom, it was an oversight on my part. Eden asked me to talk to you. I'm an idiot, what can I say?"

This went on for several minutes before he said he'd see her later and eventually hung up.

"I thought you were calling your mom before I got here!" I scold when he's free.

Blake is off in the study doing some homework before school tomorrow.

"I was going to later today, after the picnic," he says simply.

"Brook!'

"Hey, this hobby farm doesn't run itself."

"I'm sure it doesn't, but I feel bad now, seeing her this morning and everything."

"I'll talk to them later. I have to go over there because Blake left some of her school stuff there."

I give him a look, and he knows it means I'm annoyed they found out this way.

"That picnic was awesome."

"Don't deflect."

He holds up his hands in protest. "I ain't deflecting. I'm just sayin' I'll explain it all to them. It's not my fault it got out in the first place."

"Ha! So now it's my fault?"

He swipes his hand over his face.

"So, you told nobody, is that right, Brooklyn?"

"What happened to Brookie this, Brookie that?" He sighs.

The smile trickling onto my lips at his words is unstoppable. It's impossible not to find him amusing sometimes. "Who did you tell?"

"You tell me first."

He's so stubborn when he wants to be.

"Fine, I told the girls last night. Autumn and Carrie. And I may have accidentally let it slip to GB, Celeste, Hartley and Skye."

He shakes his head. "So, the entire female side of the family knows now, and all your friends?"

"I bet you told your brothers!"

"Only Gabe, and then Beau the other day."

"So only Gray is out of the loop! Awesome."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be up to speed by sundown." He gives me a wink and I try to believe I don't enjoy the way he tries to make things lighter somehow. Maybe it's his way of getting out of the crapper. "I guess there's no holds barred now. And we need to mention the mishap to our daughter above all else."

"That's a good idea. You can lead the charge and I'll take the blame."

"I hate to remind you, but it is your fault!"

He cocks his head to the side. "You sure you're still mad about that? Was finding out you're still hitched to me all that bad?"

"It was a shock," I confess after a moment's pause. "I've had so much going on this past week, I don't know how to feel about it."

"Well, let's navigate it slowly. No rash decisions need to be made."

I blink up at him. "Meaning?"

"Just that. Either way."

"We can't stay married, Brook."

"You say that now, but it's something to think about."

I stare at him, shocked. Does he really mean this?

"Something to think about! Like we're discussing the weather?"

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "I don't mean it's as simple as that. Let's both get our bearings, that's all I mean. We'll get together when you're free like we said, and we'll discuss. Deal?"

My lips twitch a smile at how much sense my husband is making.

My husband. A part of me likes the sounds of it, my heart throbs, giving my stomach butterflies. He makes me feel both excited and scared at the same time.

I know there hasn't been enough time to process all of this and what it all means, even with the whole Kirk situation. Though that's dead in the water, and it's been a hit to my confidence, it still plays on my mind. I also wonder if Brook meant what he said in the truck when he drove me home. I might have been acting a little silly, but I remember him telling me Kirk's infidelity was nothing to do with me.

You're perfect the way you are, you hear me?

I glance up at him when he clears his throat, waiting for an answer.

"Deal, Brookie." I'm thankful I can listen to him, even with my mind somewhere else.

"That's better." He gives me a little nudge with his elbow. "Now, let's go and casually mention it to our daughter in case, I don't know, little Trinity breaks the news to her."

I slap a hand over my mouth. "Stop it!"

"Well, everyone else knows what a fuck up I am."

I grab his muscular forearm, my fingers wrapping around his warm skin, and he stops. "You're not a fuck up, don't ever say that."

"I can't even get divorced right!"

"Brook, I can't lie that I was completely shocked when you told me. But like you said, we'll work it out." I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. But am I going to stay mad at him forever? It won't do either of us any good to harbor any bad feelings over it for the rest of time. We've gotten over every other hurdle we've had to cross.

"All in good time." That familiar smile returns to his face.

I love it when he smiles. It makes everything better.

And it's not for the first time I'm realizing it. But it's sure been a long time since I let it really resonate.

"And the kiss?" I sigh. "I'm sorry about that."

He gives me a side eye. "Don't ever be sorry. I kissed you back."

"I suppose I should add that to the list too."

"Just keep it coming, baby."

I can't help but laugh. This is so far out of our depths for both of us, but we just keep rolling along with the punches.

Like he said, we'll work it all out.

It's just a matter of time.