Chapter 1
Mac
I love my time at the lake house. Ever since that first time here when I met Sarah, we spend every possible minute together when I visit. I had such a crush on her right from the start, and it grows every time I see her.
When she headed off to college, we started texting and emailing more and more, phone calls came later. Being able to talk to her makes the distance a bit easier.
I was so excited for her to get her degree that had been her dream for so long. The feelings I had for her quickly grew but I didn’t admit to myself until I saw Blaze and Riley together that what I felt was love. Though at twenty-three, I didn’t think I’d find love so soon.
I guess I always knew because no one compared to her. I tried a few dates but always cut them off early, and the tribe has tried to set me up with a few girls, but they just can’t hold a candle to the way I feel about Sarah.
Over the last year, we’ve started doing more video calls, and since she’s graduated it’s become every night.
I know she’s in town, so this trip with the family couldn’t have been planned any better. Jason and Ella just got married and they spent a week here before they asked us all to join them. Blaze and Riley did the same thing for their honeymoon, wanting to give the girls the full lake house, family experience.
Sage and Colt are married now, they had been dancing around each other for as long as I had known them. And Megan finally admitted that Hunter was more than a friend and they are married too. I’m the last single guy because my girl has big dreams and I plan to help her reach every one of them. Settling down in the small ranching town of Rock Springs, Texas, isn’t on her list right now.
I love the ranch and the land, plus the tribe is here and I don’t think I could ever leave them behind. I don’t know where that leaves Sarah and me, but I know I can’t walk away from her either.
I hate feeling like I have to give one up to have the other and those thoughts have been cycling through my head for the last year.
I walk around the lake house taking it all in. Mom’s made a few small changes since we were here last, but nothing major.
The living room, kitchen, and dining room all have a view out the back of the house overlooking the lake. Toward the front of the house are all the kid’s bedrooms. We each have our own. Downstairs is a game room, movie theater, dry bar, and a huge open space perfect for putting grandbabies, as Mom says. Now that grandbabies are on the way, Mom is starting to redesign this space.
I have always found this place calming and a great place to think. The wood walls and stone accents give the place a back to nature feel that blends well with the lake. I guess this is why Mom and Dad fell in love with the house too. Their bedroom is on the far side next to the kitchen, and it’s a show-stopper designed around the lake view. There is no way you couldn’t start your day off being relaxed waking up to that view. Well, unless it was catching Blaze jumping in the lake butt naked on a dare, which happened a few years back. I haven’t heard Mom and Dad yelling like that in a while, because unless you are Riley, really no one wants to see that, much less as the first thing they see when they open their eyes.
I head out to the deck where everyone is and sit down to just watch my family. Ella just told Megan she wants to go to cosmetology school and work in Megan’s beauty shop when she graduates. It’s great to see Ella come into her own and find what she wants to do. I know Jason will move heaven and Earth to make it happen.
Riley is pregnant and looks ready to pop any time, but still has a few months to go. Blaze is so protective of her. I watch as he rubs her feet as they sit on the swing and talk with Jason and Ella.
I love it here and the family that surrounds me. I am grateful every day for Sage barging her way in and giving me all of this, but I can’t help but feel like something is missing. It’s because someone is missing, but I am the only one who knows it.
I’ve been texting Sarah on and off all day and I texted her when we pulled into town, but I haven’t gotten anything back. I know she is busy, but I hope I can see her tonight. I don’t want to waste any time with her.
“It’s great being here with family, isn’t it?” Mom says as she sits down and pulls me from my thoughts.
“Yeah.” I force a smile and try not to let her see how distracted I am.
“Your turn will come, and soon. I feel it.” Mom has always been able to read us pretty well.
I look at her but don’t say anything. I know she doesn’t need an answer.
“It’s a gut feeling I have as a mom. You don’t have to tell me anything, but if she is it for you, fight for her and don’t back down. Don’t let her friend-zone you like Megan tried to do with Hunter. Push her. Then next summer you could be here with her, our family complete. Well, until we start adding all those grandbabies.”
She pats my knee and stands up just as my phone pings. I take a deep breath and send up a silent prayer it’s her.
Sarah: Sorry working a shift at the diner and we just finished our lunch rush. I hope you made it into town OK!
What the hell is she doing working at the diner?
She busted her ass to get her degree in education so she can be an elementary school teacher, her dream job, and she is working in some small-town diner?
No way.
Not happening on my watch.
Mom’s words are still fresh in my mind.
Push.
That’s just what I plan to do. I hope she is ready because I plan to not just push her to reach her own dreams but to push her to be mine as well. There has to be a way I can make both happen.
I can’t get the picture of all of us here next year with a few nieces and nephews running around and Sarah in my arms, out of my head.
Seven years is long enough to wait.
Me: Perfect, I’m starving. I’m going to head your way in a few.
I may have just eaten lunch with my family and Ella’s chicken salad sandwiches were amazing. But if spending time with Sarah means eating lunch again then you better believe I am eating a second lunch.
