40. Knox

I couldn’t help lookingover at Larkin as we drove down the winding country road and approached the Minnicks Ranch with a bright yellow sign that said GOAT YOGA in bold black letters with a thick arrow pointing left.

Her mouth fell open in the cutest way as she did a double take between the sign and me. “You’re kidding,” she gasped, slapping my thigh. “You’re kidding me!”

I grinned at her. “Goat yoga and then a farm-to-table dinner. What do you think?”

She let out a squeal, a giddy sound I’d never heard from her before, and it made me feel so damn light my seatbelt was the only thing that kept me from floating away. I chuckled and said, “I’m taking that as a win.”

“Of course it’s a win, but...” Her face fell. “I can’t do yoga in a dress.”

“I packed us both workout clothes. Didn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

She ran her hand over my thigh, making warmth spread through my body. “You are amazing, Knox Madigan.”

I covered her hand with mine, squeezing it. “You remember that day I texted you, and I asked you what you loved?”

Her expression turned serious, and she nodded. I glanced at the road ahead of me, parking in the grass parking lot before a pretty outdoor area surrounded by twinkle lights. It wasn’t dark out yet, but twilight was coming.

With the vehicle stopped, I looked over at her, drawing her hand to my lips and kissing her knuckles. “I think you’re so busy taking care of everyone else, you don’t notice.”

“Notice what?” she asked, blue eyes dark in the dimming light.

“The things that make you light up.” I held her hand on my lap, looking into my favorite feature of hers—those pretty blue eyes that were so expressive they told me everything I needed to know. “Your children... your work... creating new things with your Cricut machine.... and yoga. And then there is a certain twinkle when you’re about to—”

She lightly smacked my hand. “You’re trouble.”

I laughed, loving that we could banter. I wanted a mix of that in my relationship—playfulness and realness alike.

“But you’re right,” she said. “I love this idea. Thank you for taking me here.”

I nodded. “Ready to go?”

She smiled so big, her eyes got squinty as she nodded. “Yes!”

I drew her in, kissing her cheek, then we got out of the truck, and I reached into my toolbox in the back, getting the gym bag I sneakily packed for her last night after she went to bed. She instantly opened it, peeking through the contents.

“What, are you checking on me?” I asked, feigning indignation.

She rolled her eyes at me. “I’ve made the mistake of asking a man to help me pack before.”

I tried not to be bothered by the reminder of all the experiences she got to have with another man. We’d create memories of our own. “Not Knox Madigan,” I countered.

“True,” she replied. She held up a thin black band. “You even got me a hair tie? Thanks, babe.” She lifted to her tiptoes to kiss my cheek.

And even though I loved the newness of everything happening between us, I had to admit I loved how easily she called me babe, how customary it seemed to have those lips on my cheek.

“Any time.” I settled my hand low on her waist, right above the swell of her delicious ass, and walked with her toward the outdoor area where they held the goat yoga within a fenced-in wooden area. There was a woman at a folding table near the entrance, checking in couples.

We fell into line, and I read off our names.

“Gotcha,” she said, marking us off the list with a flourish. “Bathrooms are in the shop. We’re starting in ten minutes.”

“Thanks,” Larkin said sweetly, and then we turned back toward the metal shop building, weaving past the wrought iron tables set up outside for the dinner we’d have after yoga. “Gosh, it is so pretty here. I never thought myself a country girl, but the longer I spend in Cottonwood Falls, the more I think how nice it would be to have my own little place in the country where I can watch the kids play barefoot outside, explore, really get their hands dirty. Somewhere I could see forever.”

I rubbed my hand over her back. “There has to be a front porch then, so you could sit and take in that view. And a porch swing.”

She looked up at me, her blue eyes full of admiration. “As long as there’s room enough on the porch swing for two.”

We reached the shop building, and she pushed through the door like she hadn’t just made me the happiest I’d ever been with just a few words. Once inside, we went into the bathroom, changing into our workout clothes. I wished I could have spent more time admiring her body without clothes on, but damn...

“Have I mentioned how I know there’s a God?” I asked her.

She gave me a curious look as she worked her hair into a ponytail. “I don’t think so?”

“It’s those pants,” I replied.

She huffed out a laugh, letting her hands and ponytail fall. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Do a spin,” I told her, guiding her shoulders so I could look at her juicy ass. “Should get on my knees and worship dat ass.”

“Oh my gosh!” She laughed and gave me a shove, but I reached for her hands, taking her with me. I backed up to the blank restroom wall, and she stood chest to chest with me, looking up at me.

“You are sexy as hell, Larkin,” I told her, not a hint of a joke in my voice. “I’m so lucky to be here with you.”

Her eyes searched mine, looking for the truth, and when she found it, she pressed a kiss to my lips. Before I could get carried away, she pulled back and said, “Now let’s go see those goats!”