Chapter 16: A NEW ADVENTURE AWAITS
The next evening after Emma was done tending to all her farm chores, she sat in her favorite porch swing, watching the sunset over the rolling hills of the countryside. The cool fall air ruffled her hair, making her shiver as she sighed deeply. Emma couldn’t help but continue her thoughts about moving. After living in this small country town her entire life, the idea of moving closer to the bustling city was both exciting and daunting. If she had to be honest though, she would move anywhere just to be with Brayden.
Jackson pulled into the drive, coming in from the fields. He could tell she had a lot on her mind. Jackson came and sat down beside her, placing his hand over hers. “Darling, I can tell you are still pondering over these decisions. I do not want you to stress yourself out.” He gently stated.
Emma nodded. “I know. I have been thinking about all of this way too much. You already know what my answer is though.”
Jackson squeezed her hand. “Are you sure? I know how much you love it here and your farm animals are like your children.”
“Yes, there is no denying that I love it here,” Emma admitted, “but my love for Brayden and for the three of us to be together far outweighs it all. Plus, Brayden offered to buy us a house outside of the city so we can still have our farm life and animals. It would be the perfect solution.”
“Do you really think that is something he will be able to find for us? It sounds too good to be true and is hard for me to imagine any type of farmland there when all we were surrounded by were large buildings and concrete.” Jackson said sighing, already feeling defeated.
Emma reached over and cupped Jackson’s face looking deep into his sad eyes, “I have faith that if this is meant to be then Brayden will make it happen.”
Suddenly, their attention was drawn to a fancy black Mercedes slowly coming up their driveway. “Who in the world could that be?” Jackson questioned. Emma jumped to her feet and darted out to the car. “No way, Is that Brayden?” Jackson asked this question, but deep down he already knew the answer.
The door to the car opened and out stepped a tall and sexy man, wearing that beautiful familiar smile. Emma jumped into Brayden’s arms wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.
She dipped her head into the crook of his neck inhaling that woodsy, sweet smell, a mixture of his body wash and his cologne. “Brayden, what are you doing here? Am I dreaming?” Emma asked in confusion and excitement.
Brayden chuckled and hugged her tightly to him. “No dream, beautiful, I am here in the flesh.”
Jackson walked up behind Emma wrapping his arms around them both and squeezing them tightly together. “Well, this is a huge surprise, Brayden. What’s going on? Is anything wrong?”
Brayden was still carrying Emma walking to the house while Jackson grabbed his bags when he finally answered. “No, on the contrary. I have some great news that I needed to share with you both in person.” He sat Emma down on the front porch, looking down into her bright blue eyes. “Can we go inside and talk?”
“Yes of course. Come in and get comfortable. I will get some coffee going and we can all talk." Emma said as she hurriedly went to the kitchen to get the coffee going. Jackson and Brayden took seats in the living room on the sofa and chatted back and forth about the past few weeks while they waited on Emma.
“Okay, now that we are all seated, I think I have found the perfect property for us. It is about twenty minutes outside the city, on several acres of land. There is plenty of space for your farm animals, and a beautiful house for us to call home.” Brayden said smiling so big it looked like it might explode from his face.
Emma’s eyes immediately lit up as she looked over at Jackson. “See Jackson, I knew if we just had faith, it would work out.” Jackson smiled and shook his head at her. Then she directed her conversation back to Brayden. “That sounds amazing! Tell us more about it. What does it look like?”
“It is a two-story farmhouse that was newly remodeled. So, it has a perfect mixture of country and modern. There is a big wrap-around porch and a newly built barn. The land is full of rolling hills and meadows – it really is breathtaking. I think you guys are really going to love it.” Brayden said still smiling.
“I can’t wait to see it! When can we go?” Emma said excitedly.
“Whenever you tell me that you and Jackson are free, we will go. I can make all the arrangements to fly both of you out there, so you won’t have to be away for as long.” Brayden suggested.
Emma turned to Jackson, “What do you think we could do?”
Jackson pulled her into a warm hug, “I have all the farm chores done for the weekend and we can get someone to come feed the animals if you want to leave tomorrow. I can make that work.”
Emma felt tears of joy in her eyes. “I love you so much Jackson.” Jackson smiled back at her and placed a kiss on top of her head.
“Okay, it is all set then. Let me make a couple of phone calls to get the bugs worked out.” Brayden pulled his phone out selecting his secretary’s phone number and walked out onto the front porch to get their trip planned. He was only outside for a few minutes when he stepped back through the door saying, “It is done. We will leave first thing in the morning, so pack you a small overnight bag.”
Emma could feel all the excitement bubbling to the top and ready to bubble over. This could be the first steppingstone to their lives together.