Page 109 of Yours To Hold
With only a few short weeks left in summer, and Willow going to visit her mom now that she’s back stateside, we wanted one more trip together with the three of us.
Sasha found a landscape of the Smokies she wanted in a small town in Tennessee, so we all came out here together.
After exploring the town, we’re heading out to find the waterfalls we’ve heard so much about that are in the area.
Willow comes running upstairs as I grab my backpack to go down.
“Did your dad send you up here?”
She nods, pigtails bouncing. “He said you’re taking too long.”
“Waterfalls aren’t going anywhere, Willow.” Grabbing her shoulders and turning her, we head downstairs. Mason is pacing in the small living room of our cabin.
It’s full of dark wood and stained glass windows. It’s the complete opposite of the cabins at the ranch back home. But I’ve loved every minute we’ve spent here this week.
Mason stops when he sees us, a small smile playing on his lips. “Finally ready?”
I saunter over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Why are you in such a hurry?”
“I don’t want to lose the sunlight.”
“Last I checked, we have all afternoon.”
“Such a smart-ass.” Mason drops a quick kiss on my lips.
Willow groans behind us. “You kiss too much.”
“Then close your eyes, kid.”
Mason drops another kiss on my lips.
Every time he kisses me feels like the first time. The butterflies. The tingles down my spine. I never want to lose this feeling with Mason.
All too soon, Mason is pulling back. “We should probably get going.”
“Yes!” Willow calls out behind us. “I want to find the waterfalls.”
Willow is ready, backpack on and hiking boots all tied up.
“Let’s go.” Mason grabs my hand as Willow runs out the door ahead of us.
The trailhead is behind the cabins here outside of town. It’s an easy hike through the foothills, nothing we don’t do at home on the weekends.
Crunched up leaves line the wide trail as Willow has her camera out, taking pictures of everything she sees.
“This is nice.” Mason wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side.
“Exactly where I want to be.”
It’s hard to believe this is my life. I was able to bring two of my favorite people with me to this small town. And when we’re done here, we’re going home to Dixon.
No other place I’d rather be.
“Ivy! Look how cool this is!” Willow runs back up to us, holding her camera out.
I bought myself a new one after the big opening in Dixon and gave Willow my old one. I love that she shares my passion for it.
A wildflower fills the screen while everything behind it is out of focus.
