Chapter 14

CHAPTER 1 4

BECCA

Becca was lying there in her childhood bed staring at the ceiling – tired yet wide awake. It had been a beautiful day, and her heart had never felt so full. She loved seeing Travis there with her family, all of them laughing and cutting up together. It was so good to see a smile on Jason’s face, to have Matthew at the house and not climbing in a window at two in the morning from some unknown woman’s house. Even Luke was coming into his own, speaking up and interrupting when he had something to say. To her, that was telling because her family could be very outspoken and ornery – but they were also deeply protective and loving.

Her cell phone on the nightstand suddenly lit up, illuminating the room.

Are you up?

Yes, silly. Why are you texting?

Because I don’t want your brother to hear me knock on your door, my poor little nose, remember?

Becca nearly laughed aloud at the sweet text message and the reminder of their horseback ride.

Your adorable sweet little nose…

That’s me – adorable and sweet.

So, this means that you ARE awake?

Yes, I’m awake, Travis.

Wanna sneak out and sit in the moonlight – just us?

Her breath caught in her chest at the text message – only to see him typing again.

I miss you – and I’ll bring a blanket so we can snuggle.

You had me at ‘Are you up?’

Is there an alarm on the house?

No.

Any squeaky steps or noisemakers I need to worry about? Any automatic flood lights that shine directly into bedrooms? Any sharpshooter neighbors?

(Can you tell I’m nervous?) ??

Don’t be – I’m leaving my room now. ??

Becca tossed back her quilt and yanked a robe over her pajamas, tying the belt at her waist as she opened her door to slip into the hallway – only to come face-to-face with Jason.

“Whatcha doing?” her brother asked just as the door to the guest bedroom opened. Her brother arched an eyebrow as she glared at him.

“Back off.”

“Is this what I think it is? ”

“No, we are going to sit on the deck so we can talk.”

“You can talk in the living room, and I’ll join you.”

“Then I’m leaving – right now .”

“Becca,” Travis interrupted, and Jason held up a hand, almost arrogantly, not looking away from her. His eyes met hers, staring her down, and she wasn’t budging an inch. She was a grown woman and falling in love with Travis. Her brother was going to have to relax a bit and let down his guard or… The thought died in her mind as her brother gave her slow wink and stepped back away from her.

“Don’t forget to lock the door when you come back in. Good night y’all.”

And with that – Jason went back to his bedroom down the hallway.

“C’mon…”

Becca gaped at his back, wondering for a moment if he was going to get a rifle… only to feel Travis touch her hand a moment later, tugging her away from the bedrooms nearby. She followed silently, knowing her questions would be unanswered for a few moments until they got outside where they could talk.

Travis took a seat on the small glider, sitting sideways, and patted the seat, indicating where she should sit. Not hesitating, Becca sat down and put her back against his chest as he wrapped the blanket around the two of them in the evening air.

“My brother just…” she began, sputtering and surprised at what just happened. Usually Jason would lose his temper or start bossing her around - but he gave in. Jason actually yielded to her - and Travis.

“I like him – a lot.”

And she sighed as Travis’s arms curled around her, holding her close. They really didn’t need to talk or say anything – and she loved that about them. It was like just being close recharged her soul, and while he had been close all day, this was different. She had his attention and loved it.

“I’m glad you are getting along. ”

“I think we came to an understanding - or at least I hope so,” Travis said quietly, leaning down to kiss her temple. “I really like them, and the more we talked, the easier things got. I’m not going to lie; it was rocky there for a few moments, but we worked it out.”

“Oh? What happened.”

“Nothing worth discussing – it’s in the past, and I’d rather just enjoy these moments with you.”

“Same,” she whispered, relaxing against him once more. They sat there for a few minutes before she heard Travis speak once more. His voice was hushed, almost hesitant as he began.

“The older outbuildings could be renovated into cabins,” he said softly. “I saw there are a couple of old houses just sitting in the distance, with for sale signs. Are those yours?”

“No. They are zoned commercial, and Jason tried to get them rezoned to farmland or residential, but the city wouldn’t budge. They’ve been for sale for three years or so.”

“Would your bed and breakfast idea be considered commercial?”

“Travis?” Becca hesitated, turning to look at him. “What… um, well it would have to be zoned as a commercial boarding house. Why are you asking?”

“Just thinking and talking…”

“About zoning and property?” she said skeptically and caught her breath as she looked over her shoulder at him, seeing the look in his eyes in the moonlight. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“I’m always thinking or looking for different things or opportunities – and I really like it out this way. It’s peaceful.”

“And that makes you think of zoning regulations?”

“No,” he said softly, his eyes warm and tender as he touched her cheek. “I like us being able to escape for a little while, and if we had something out this way, you could see your family, and we could work on it together,” he began and stopped her as she opened her mouth to question him. “I’m not going anywhere and hope to play hockey for as long as possible, but if something happened or I got hurt, then I would need a backup plan.”

“And you’re thinking about a bed and breakfast?”

“Maybe I’m explaining this wrong,” he chuckled softly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Let’s say that three years from now, I get traded to Seattle from the Coyotes – I would have to move to keep playing and things would change. My home would get uprooted to keep earning a living. However, if there was a permanent home base, it would give me a sense of security.”

She nodded, understanding what he was saying and truthfully a little shocked he was discussing getting traded or something changing. His finger caressed her cheek as he slowly traced the shell of her ear.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m not sure,” she answered honestly. “A lot.”

“What if,” he started again, his voice hushed. “What if things changed for us, and we wanted a home away from home to hide – a retreat? I’m not going anywhere, and I would really like to be a part of your world as long as you would let me. We could escape each weekend, spend time together fixing it up, and you could work for yourself instead of some corporation.”

Travis was talking about a future… here , she realized and felt herself choking up at the sweetness of his thoughts. It sounded like such a huge undertaking and almost overwhelming. It would take so much money to fix up those houses, and she didn’t want to say that aloud. Would the banks even lend her that kind of capital?

Her mind was racing.

“Hey,” he whispered. “It was just a thought. Before we did anything or made a move, we’d have to really sit down and think about logistics. It’s fun to dream, though.”

“It is…”

“Becca,” he whispered, as she turned to put her back against his chest once more. “I lo ve these moments with you. Thank you for bringing me here.”

Hesitating, she started to sit up once more, pulling away from him, and heard his chuckle. Turning slightly, she looked at him, feeling so many things at that moment. What other guy touched on giving her every hope and dream she could imagine, talked loosely about the future, and insisted on meeting her family so he could be a part of her world all before they had even kissed - and that needed to be corrected.

“How are your stitches?” she whispered softly and saw his eyes widen for a moment before he blinked slowly and swallowed, meeting her gaze.

“I’ll manage if you are suggesting what I think you are.”

“I think I am,” she breathed, smiling nervously at him. “Maybe if we are careful or…”

“Leave it to me,” he said softly, sitting up and scooting closer to her, jostling the glider.

“Oh gosh,” she chuckled nervously realizing just how intense this moment was getting between them as he moved to hold her close, cupping her cheek. “It’s been a while since I’ve kissed anyone and…”

“That’s the past,” he said hoarsely. “Forget them…”

“ Annnd forgotten,” she agreed distractedly as she stared into his half-closed eyes as he leaned toward her. “You aren’t worried about your lip?”

“Sweetheart,” Travis chuckled softly, his breath warm against her. “My lip could split wide open at this point, and I couldn’t care less. Now, are you going to finally let me kiss you? Maybe you should shut your eyes if you are getting distracted or…”

And Becca leaned into him, gingerly touching her lips to his – only for Travis to take over. His hand moved from her chin to slide into her hair, cradling the back of her head as his lips claimed hers, and she burst out laughing nervously against his mouth. There were two little ‘whiskers’ where his stitches were tied that were tickling her – that, and being so nervous, she couldn’t help the panicked laugh that escaped her.

“Shhh…” he began, chuckling against her lips as well. “Gosh, I love your laugh – but not now.”

“Sorry,” she giggled as he kissed her again, and they both couldn’t stop laughing together. It was such a sweet, fun, and lighthearted moment that she would never forget so long as she lived. Through the crack of her eyelid, she saw a light come on in the distance and ignored it.

No, right now, she was where she wanted to be, and if whoever was up, moving to investigate the noise, well, they could just get over it. They sat there, kissing and holding each other close. Every once in a while, they would be interrupted by a little laugh between them just creating a special feeling in her soul.

“I hope all of our kisses are filled with laughter and joy,” she breathed against his lips and felt his smile in her very soul.

“They always will be,” he murmured tenderly. “Or I’ll do everything I can to create that same feeling of happiness within you for as long as I can.”

“I’m so glad we’re here.”

“I’m so glad you gave me a chance.”

“And I’m so glad you two are gonna keep it down out here,” Matthew’s voice interrupted them from the doorway. “Sheesh, I’ve never seen a bunch of hyenas French kissing before, but I guess I can check that off the ol’ bucket list. Good gravy, y’all – what’s sex between ya’ gonna sound like? A couple of donkey’s braying?”

“Good night, Matthew,” Becca said firmly as Travis cracked up laughing, pressing his forehead to hers in obvious disbelief and embarrassment…

“Eeehawwww um-baby, um yeah…right there… eeeawww!” Matthew mocked in a nasally sound, snorting and creating the braying through his sinus cavity for obvious inflection to get his point across.

“GOOD NIGHT?!” she hollered .

“Night, Becca. See ya’ at the hockey game, Travis – and thanks again for the tickets, bro.”

“Anytime,” Travis replied with the patience of a saint, smiling as Matthew brayed one more time for good measure in the distance before sliding the back door shut on the house. “I like your family.”

“Are you sure about that?” she blurted out as they collapsed against each other, hugging and laughing once more, just holding each other close in the moonlight.