Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

Ethan

I've timed the end of afternoon carpool very well, allowing me to pull into the parking lot after the long line of cars has moved out. I'm not here to pick up Sylvie, as she's in Louisville for the day with my mother and Kat. They'll be back after dinner and I took the entire afternoon off from the farm so I could spend it with Marcie.

Despite the fact that Lionel was arrested two days ago upending our world, and despite the fact that Sylvie is having a bit of a difficult time processing things, we are doing what Blackburns do best.

We're handling it.

Sylvie hasn't returned to school yet, but we figured her missing two days wasn't a big deal because she's smart as hell and diligent in keeping up with her work. She had a visit with a therapist yesterday that Marcie arranged, and I sat in with her. I needed the guidance as much as she did and what I learned during the session, more than anything else, is that my kid is resilient.

It seems that after the initial shock of understanding someone—her own family member—wanted to hurt her, she's chosen to draw strength from the family unit that she knows will protect her from all the bad things in the world. She's settled in as a Blackburn and is leaving the Mardraggons behind.

The thing that has surprised me the most is that Sylvie seems to be the one out of all of us who has managed to make sense of what's going on. Maybe that goes back to the resiliency of children or maybe she's got the benefit of idealism, but she appears to have rebounded from the horror of Lionel's actions. That doesn't mean she's not without fear or she doesn't have moments of sadness that life can be so cruel. I've been at the ready with hugs and reassuring words. My mom and dad have been there as the grandparents Sylvie needs—gentle, accommodating, fun and loving. My sister and brothers have doted on her the last two days, making Sylvie feel extra secure.

And Marcie… well, she's been the linchpin in my world. She's the one I can turn to if I suspect I'm doing things wrong, the one who can reassure me things will be okay, and her gifting her heart to me has bolstered my strength.

I have no regrets about my decision to take the afternoon off from work as it's inherently more important for me to spend some quality alone time with her, even if only for a few hours, because it feeds my soul.

I get out of the car and immediately spot Marcie standing at the curb, helping a stray student into a parent's car. She's talking to the mother behind the wheel, her smile broad and eyes sparkling. She leans into the back seat to help buckle the kid in and waves goodbye.

A few other teachers linger outside talking, but Marcie's eyes come to me when I shut the truck door. She hadn't noticed me until now and her eyes drop to the large clutch of spring flowers I've brought. I've never been a romantic man but never has anything felt more right than stopping at a florist to get this bouquet for Marcie. I knew it would make her happy and she'd feel cherished. That happiness would reflect back to me, because I'm finding, just like Sylvie, my most important mission in life is not the farm anymore.

It's caring for these two ladies.

I hold up a hand, start her way and have to stop as another car whizzes up to the curb to grab a student. Marcie stares at me over the top of the car as another teacher helps the kid in. When the path is clear, I move to her.

"Hi," I say as I step onto the curb. "Is it inappropriate if I kiss you?"

Head tipped back, lips slightly parted in a smile, she shakes her head. "But no tongue. Still a few students milling about."

Chuckling, I put my hand behind her neck and lower my mouth to hers. There's no tongue, as requested, but it's not a peck on the lips. I breathe her in as I linger, heart thumping as she presses a hand to my chest and sighs.

When I pull back, she looks flushed and starry-eyed and fuck, I wish I could take a picture of her right now. But that would just be weird.

Instead, I hand her the flowers, again wishing for a snapshot of her face as it softens with delight. She dips her head, inhales and then her eyes lock with mine. "Thank you. What's the occasion?"

"Pretty much you're the occasion," I reply, tucking my hands into my pockets. "So I did a thing."

"A thing?"

I nod, rocking up on my toes and back again with a sly grin. "I took the afternoon off."

"Scandalous," Marcie says, eyes flared wide and a hand fluttering at her throat. "Whatever will people think?"

"I imagine they'll think I am a pretty smart guy since I intend to spend this afternoon with my girl. Sylvie's in Louisville with Mom and Kat, the farm is in good hands with Trey, Wade and my dad, and I have no obligations other than to chill with you."

Eyes twinkling and another inhale of the sweet flowers, Marcie purses her lips. "You do understand that I am still at work."

"Well, yeah… I'm here at the school, right? I thought I'd just hang out quietly in your office while you finish up whatever you need to."

"And you also understand I often have a lot of stuff to do that could take another two to three hours?"

"Yes, I understand that as well." I step into her, put my arm around her back and pull her into me. "But I was also hoping that when I got to your office, we'd close the door and make out for a bit, and I could convince you to play hooky—that's a term you should understand as a principal—and then we'd go do something fun for the rest of the day."

Marcie laughs as she goes to her tiptoes. I'm shocked and then tumbling further into love as she kisses me with abandon, and yes… there's tongue. When she pulls back, she says, "Okay… you've convinced me to take the afternoon off. I'll just catch up tonight."

"Yeah… about that." I take her by the hand and lead her into the school so she can get her purse and we can start our time together. "I was kind of hoping you'd join us for dinner. Just trying to rally the forces around Sylvie with the entire family for a while, and well… you're family."

Marcie halts, pulling me to a stop. "How was she this morning?"

I shake my head slightly, the marvel of my kid humbling me. "Brave, introspective, determined. She wants to come back to school tomorrow but I'm not sure."

"I think she should."

"I don't want her to get bullied. You know the story made national news."

"I'll protect her at school. She'll be fine. I think it's important for her to maintain a regular routine. It will help normalize her life."

I nod in understanding. The therapist said it would be important to not let this become the center of our world. "Okay… she can return tomorrow. But you didn't answer me about dinner."

Marcie squeezes my hand. "Of course, I'll come to dinner tonight and any night you want me there."

"That would be every night," I assure her, and she blushes. I bend to get closer, my eyes fixed on hers. "I love you and that means I want you as close to me as much as possible."

Her hand jerks in mine and she ducks her head only briefly before returning her gaze to mine. "It's just shocking to hear those words. Thrilling, awe-inspiring, overwhelming and just the best words ever."

"I'll make sure to say them often then," I assure her.

"That makes me a very lucky woman. I love you, Ethan."

"Guess I'm a lucky guy." I bend down to kiss her again, but I keep it brief. "But time's a-wasting and I want to maximize every minute with you. Any thoughts on what you want to do, and if you say something like we go to your house and spend the afternoon in bed, I would not be opposed."

Marcie laughs and tugs me toward the door again. "That's a possibility in a little bit, but I think first, I'd like you to give me a riding lesson."

"Thank you, Lord Jesus," I murmur, and when she glances back at me, I wink.

"I mean riding a horse, Ethan," she drawls.

"You did call me a stud once—"

Her hand pops me in the stomach playfully. "Enough with the horse jokes."

Laughing, we step inside her office, hand in hand. Despite the horror of the last few days, I'm not sure that my future has ever felt brighter or more packed with promise. I'm not sure I've ever felt more confident or empowered to not only be a dad and a businessman, but to be a partner to Marcie. I know without a doubt I can handle any tough days ahead, and it's thanks to the woman by my side.

The feud between the Blackburns and Mardraggons is far from over. The bitter battle continues as Kat Blackburn and Gabe Mardraggon are thrust together for business but forced to face some very personal truths about their dealings in The Forbidden, book two of the Bluegrass Empires series by Sawyer Bennett.