Tumble (Dogwood Lane 1)

“She didn’t notice.”

“You’re impossible.” I sigh. “What did you do today? And why do you have a paintbrush?”

His lips part in a smile. He crooks a finger for me to follow him.

We walk through the living room and into the kitchen. The table is covered with a drop cloth. A can of white paint sits open in the middle, and a long board stretches the length of the table. The words MALONE FARM are printed in old-fashioned letters across it.

“What’s this?” I ask. I run my finger down the freshly sandpapered wood. “You doing some work out there?”

“You could say that.”

“Maybe I could go out there with you one day. I added a class on Tuesday afternoons starting next week at Aerial’s, so that will just leave Monday afternoons clear. But I’d love to spend an afternoon out there, if it works out.”

“I think it’ll work out.” I wait for him to say something else, but he doesn’t. He just looks at the sign.

“Man of few words today,” I mutter. I head to the refrigerator and pull out the lemonade. “Mom and Gary want us to come over for dinner this week. I told them we’d find an evening. This week is going to be crazy with the show so close. I’m kind of starting to lose my mind.”

Dane comes up behind me and pulls me into his chest. “Will you relax, babe?”

“I’m trying.”

“I have something to tell you, and I need you to be calm when I say it.”

“Oh no.” I spin in his arms and search his features for some indication as to what’s happening. “What did you do?”

“It’s nothing big.” He grins. “Okay. It’s big. It’s really big.”

I cock my head to the side. “You always say it’s really big.”

“And do I lie?”

“Well, no.” I laugh. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

He takes my hand and pulls me back to the table. “How would you feel if I told you we’re moving? Or that I want to move?”

I blanch. “Moving? Where? Why?” I shake my head. “I love it here, Dane. You don’t mean out of Dogwood Lane, do you?”

“Hey,” Haley says, coming in through the back door. She takes one look at Dane and me and stops in her tracks. “Oh. You haven’t told her yet, I see.”

“You know?” I ask her.

“I’ll just be outside.” She jabs a thumb over her shoulder. “Come get me when this is over.”

“Dane. What in the heck did you do?”

“Settle down, settle down.” He chuckles, finding more amusement in my reaction than I do. “I thought, you know, maybe we should start fresh.”

“But I love this house,” I whine. “And what about Mia? How will she feel about leaving this place? It’s the only home she’s ever known.”

“I can’t wait!” Mia shouts from upstairs.

“She knows too?” I walk in a circle, covering my face with my hands. “Why do I feel like there’s a big joke being played on me?”

“It’s not, Neely. Promise!” Mia shouts.

I look at Dane and we start laughing at the same time.

“Stop eavesdropping, Mia,” Dane yells.

“I’m excited!”

“So am I, but give me a chance to do the whole thing, okay?”

“Well, hurry up.”

“This is all adorable and all,” I tell him, “but I’m starting to lose patience.”

He takes my hands in his, swinging them back and forth between us. I sense his nervousness, and that makes me nervous because this isn’t like Dane.

“What would you do if I told you I bought Malone’s Farm?” He motions toward the board on the table. “Because I did.”

My jaw falls to the floor as I look at the board. Then up to him. “I think I misheard you. I thought you said you bought Malone’s Farm.”

“Yeah. I did.” He gulps. “I got a good deal on it. The house isn’t in that bad of shape, actually, and I thought it could be our house, you know?”

Tears well up in the corners of my eyes as I propel myself into him, almost knocking him off his feet. “Are you serious?” I ask, looking up at his face for any sign of a joke.

He doesn’t flinch. “I’m serious. I bought it. We bought it.”

“No way.” I let out a little screech as I clap my hands. “I can’t believe you bought it. Dane! This is amazing.”

He still looks nervous. “I’m glad you think so.”

“Can we go see it? Today?” I ask, trying not to squeal again. “Oh my gosh. I don’t know what to say. I love this.”

“Say yes.”

“Yes. Of course. I love the idea of moving out there. I’m in shock, I think,” I say with a laugh, walking in a circle. “But it’s a gorgeous piece of property, and oh my God.”

When I turn back around, Dane is down on one knee. A streak of white paint down the side of his face, his hair a mess from being under the new Dodgers hat I bought him last week, he couldn’t be more perfect.