Chapter Two
The next few weeks were hectic as work started on the Temple. Dale put plans in place to move the windows from the old temple, although that would be the final step. Meantime, he needed to start on the stained glass that would surround Blythe’s sculpture.
They had decided on a mosaic style in blues and greens, both to reflect the changes in Sandrock and match the old windows. Thankfully, Mi-an had managed to organise space for him in the workshop, as well as working with him to get desert-proof glass. Although the greenification efforts had done a lot, they still got the occasional sandstorm, though nowhere near as bad or as frequent as they used to be.
He finished loading another batch of glass into the furnace, and stretched his hands over his head. Lunchtime. He’d started grabbing food from the saloon to bring with him. Now that things were starting to sort themselves out with the guys and Amirah, things around town were getting easier. The only stares he felt now were because he was new, and even those were starting to die down, although he imagined that they’d be back once things got out about him and Heidi.
He sat in the shade, his back against the wall of the workshop, as he thought about Heidi. She was definitely something special. They’d had another trip round town, this time going out to the Eufaula Outback to see the trees, as well as heading over to the Northern Plateau. That trip on duckback was one he didn’t want to repeat for a while. He’d even managed to convince her to go another few rounds in the sparring ring. She beat him every time, but he loved it. The feel of her straddling him as she pinned him in defeat was definitely keeping him awake at night, too. In fact, he really needed to stop thinking about that right now, as other parts of him started to wake up at the memory. They were still struggling to find anywhere private enough for anything more than a few kisses, but they were taking more risks of getting caught each time.
He startled as he heard someone knocking the wall next to where he was sitting.
“I hope that was a good daydream, I’m almost sorry to disturb it!” Heidi joked. She was leaning against the wall, watching him. She’d arrived at the workshop just in time to see him stretching, his shirt pulling up and showing his abs and paused long enough to enjoy the show. What was it about a man who had obviously been hard at work, she wondered. The conversation she’d just had with Hunter couldn’t have come at a better time, she realised.
“Was thinking ‘bout you,” he replied, not seeing any point in hiding the fact.
“Well, hopefully I can make you smile some more,” she replied, “got a couple of ideas.”
“Oh yeah?”
“How do you fancy getting out of the saloon and into your own space?”
“Definitely! Does that mean we might finally…?”
“Light, yes! Logan’s got a house, hasn’t lived in it since he married Hunter, so he rents it out. Was talkin’ to him at lunchtime, and it’s vacant for the next few months if y’all want to rent it? Two bedrooms, fairly basic, but yeah, there’s a bit more privacy. And I’m sure the guys will be happy to know it’s right next door to Amirah, too.”
“That sounds like a plan, can you put me in touch with Logan?”
“Sure, want to have dinner at the saloon tonight? He said he could meet us there.”
“Of course. Wait, did you say Logan was married to Hunter? I thought she was married to Owen?”
“She is. And Justice. Long story. But, talkin’ of Hunter, this workshop used to be her place before they all got married. And when I saw her at lunchtime, she reminded me of somethin’.” Heidi grinned, enjoying the tease.
“Go on?”
“Well, have you been upstairs yet?”
“Nope, haven’t needed to.”
“When she moved, and they turned this into workshop central, she decided to keep a bedroom and bathroom upstairs, mostly in case anyone needed to do overnight runs on the machines. Door locks and everything.”
“Are you suggesting what I think?” Heidi’s only response was to hold her hand out to help him to his feet.
As they got to the top of the stairs, Heidi led them to the room on the right. It wasn't much, just a lockable door and a slightly oversized single bed, but after so long with no privacy, it felt like a palace.
Heidi locked the door and turned round to find Dale standing right behind her. He braced his forearms on the door, on either side of her head, and leaned in to capture Heidi’s mouth.
“Need you now,” he murmured.
“The bed…”
“Nope, right here,” he replied, running one hand up her thigh and under her skirt. He grinned at what he found under there.
“Naughty girl! You often come out with no knickers on?”
“No, today's special. I might do it again in future if you’re good,” she teased, wrapping her arms round his neck. She gasped as Dale slid a finger inside her. "You are so ready for this, aren't you?" he asked.
"Can say the same for you," Heidi replied, palming the length of his cock through his trousers.
"Turn round," he ordered, "hands on the door above your head. Spread your legs." Heidi did as she was told, pushing back towards him.
Dale leaned against her, one hand holding hers. He used his free hand to loosen his belt and open his fly. He pulled his cock out and lined it up against her entrance.
Weeks of anticipation had led to this, and Dale filled her with a single thrust.
Heidi moaned and Dale paused for a moment to allow them to get used to the sensations. Slowly he started to thrust. His free hand slipped under Heidi's top, pushing her bra out the way, and pinching her nipples. He buried his face in her neck.
Heidi allowed the sensations to flow over here. She was so used to being in control that having someone else in charge was strangely freeing. Dale still held her hands over her head, and he held her legs apart with his feet. There was nothing for her to do but feel.
“Oh fuck, Dale,” she moaned, “Oh Peach, yeah, I’m…”
Dale dropped a hand between Heidi’s legs and brushed over her clit. The stimulation was enough to tip her over the edge and she cried out. Dale followed shortly behind her.
They stood for a moment, getting their breath back.
“After all that waiting, we didn’t make it to the bed!” Heidi giggled. “We could just have used the church wall since we didn’t want the floor!”
“Bed for the second round?” Dale asked, pulling off his shirt.
The second round was gentler and slower.
You're makin' love, not fuckin', Heidi thought, but she wasn't ready to acknowledge that aloud yet.
“I really ought to go over to the Temple,” Dale sighed. They were cuddled together as best they could on a single bed, which meant Heidi lying draped over Dale. “I promised Blythe I’d work on some measurements with him for the stained glass today. Want to come see how things are getting along?”
“Sure would, other than the fact it means moving,” she groaned. “I think I’ve used muscles today I’d forgotten existed!”
“Need a shower first, wanna help wash my back?”
As they walked into the temple, they could hear Blythe complaining about not being able to find Dale.
“I’m here!” Dale called out. He knew what he and Heidi must look like, but he didn’t care how obvious it was. He was surprised to see Amirah standing happily with both Blythe and Manny as well. Looks like things had been moving along there, while he was pursuing Heidi.
Amirah didn’t comment, just looked between them and raised an eyebrow at Heidi, who giggled in response
“We still on for girls’ night next week?” Heidi asked Amirah
“Of course, and I’m certain it will be enlightening.”
“It’ll sure be something!” Heidi replied, causing them both to start laughing.
All three men looked at each other in panic, struck by the sudden realisation that they would likely be a large part of that conversation.
“So, what you think of it so far?” Heidi asked. “Reckon the Church finally did somethin’ right, takin’ on these boys. Burgess is even trying to talk Manny into replacin’ the murals from the old Temple.”
“I think it’s going to turn out wonderfully,” Amirah replied. “Despite my initial, personal reservations, I always knew they would be the right men for the job!”
“C'mon, Amirah,” Heidi said, “let’s head back into town, let the boys get on with their work. Besides, I got a few questions to ask you.”
“Not so fast, “ Dale said, wrapping an arm round Heidi’s waist. “You mentioned dinner tonight? Meet you at the saloon at seven?”
“Works for me,” she replied, kissing him on the cheek, before heading off with Amirah.
“Well, that answers that question,” Amirah laughed as they got outside.
“What question would that be?”
“If there’s something between you and Dale. I like him, he was a great professor and a good man. He’ll treat you right.”
“So I’m learning. You know me and the luck I’ve had, but he’s kind and considerate, and actually listens to me. It also helps that he's not scared of me! Half of me is still waiting to find out what’s wrong with him, but I’m startin’ to realise that maybe the answer’s nothin’. Anyway, enough about me, what about you and your two suitors?”
“Well, we’ve all grown since I left Barnarock, but I think we’re all better for it. Their apologies seem to be sincere, so we’re just taking it really slowly.”
“So, is this our first official date?” Heidi asked, as she and Dale settled into a booth.
“You know, I think it might be,” Dale replied. “Also seems to count as going public, based on the looks we’re getting.”
“Well, we knew it was going to happen sooner or later. It’s also going to get straight back to my grandma, don’t be surprised if she’s here before we go home.”
“Did you say Logan was going to meet us here?”
“Yep, he should be here at any ti- oh, no!”
Dale looked round to see what had worried Heidi, in time to see the figure striding across the saloon towards them. Tall and broad shouldered, he was dressed head to toe in bandit armour, and topped the look off with a yakboy hat tilted down over his eyes. He walked up to the table, folded his arms and glared down at Dale.
“Oh, Light, seriously, Lo?” Heidi groaned. “What are you playing at? I thought Hunter got rid of all that gear ages ago?”
“Hey, gotta make sure I’m vetting the guy that’s dating my little sister!” Logan said with a grin as he sat down. “And Hunter loves this gear, so does Justice, if you know what I mean!”
“Waaaay too much info, Lo!” Heidi replied. “Anyway, this is Dale. Dale, this is Logan, my brother from another mother, basically.”
“Nice to meet you, Logan,” Dale said calmly, holding out his hand to shake Logan’s.
“You, too.” Logan replied. “Impressed you don’t seem intimidated, either.”
“I’ve been teaching at art school for years. Add on some kohl, and I’ve taught a dozen teenagers that would view you as a style icon!”
Logan glared at him for a moment, before bursting out laughing.
“OK, Hei. He passes, but if he hurts you, I know where to hide the body.”
Heidi shook her head. “Can we get business sorted between you two, then Dale and I can go back to our date, please?”
They sorted out the possibility of the lease quickly, with an agreement that the three men would have a look over the place the following day and, if everything was suitable, move in as soon as possible.
“Enjoy your evenin’,” Logan said as he walked off, winking at Heidi.
“Light, I’m so sorry,” Heidi groaned, dropping her head to the table. “I’ll sic Hunter on him later.”
“It’s fine, he’s looking out for you. And it looks like we’ve got some privacy, even if we’re still dealing with Manny and Blythe.”
Dinner mostly went smoothly, other than the people that felt they had to come over and check in on Heidi. A few of Heidi’s friends came over to ask about the girls’ night she and Amirah had mentioned earlier. However, it also included Heidi’s family, her Grandma Vivi, and her pa, Hugo, along with his friend, Cooper.
Hugo didn’t say much, just nodded and left the talking to Vivi. Dale found his silence far more intimidating than Logan’s posturing. Vivi - Miz Vivi, she insisted he called her - started by questioning his intentions, and ended up hinting heavily for great grandkids. Heidi was already trying to sink under the table with embarrassment at this point. Dale squeezed her thigh in reassurance, and he felt her unwind slightly against him. Mostly, it was good natured teasing, though.
"Heidi tells us you're interested in those stained glass windows in the old temple?" Vivi asked.
"Yes, ma'am. They are truly works of art, and I'd love to move them to the new Temple. Do you know much about their history?"
"Well, now, they've been there a long time," Vivi replied. "I got married in front of them some fifty years ago and we were one of the first couples to do so."
“Just watch that Heidi,” Cooper interrupted before Vivi could reminisce further. “Always been one for takin’ risks, that girl. I remember when she’n Logan were ‘bout three years old…”
“Oh, Light, Cooper, not the dog story!” Heidi groaned.
“Now, gotta tell you," he continued on, oblivious to Heidi's discomfort, "there was a family back in the day, had this big ol’ hound. Had a heck of a bark on him. Anyway, Heidi tried to grab its tail an’ it jumped at ‘er. Tried to bite her hand clean off! But Logan, he jumped in the way, stood there barkin’ back at it. That dog ran off faster’n you ever seen!”
“That’s an interesting story, Mr Cooper,” Dale said, his tone indicating it was anything but.
“Well’n I just need you to know that if you mess with our girl, there’s bigger than me got her back,” Cooper stammered back.
“Yes, we’ve already spoken to Logan tonight, haven’t we, love?”
Heidi nodded, “Yep, we got that all sorted out already. And how are Elsie and Haru getting on?”
That sent Cooper off on another rant. Despite them having been together four years, and Haru proving himself over and over, there was no man good enough for Cooper's little girl, at least in his eyes.
Eventually, they wandered off when a table freed up, and left Heidi and Dale in peace.
"I am so sorry," Heidi said, burying her head in her hands. "Next time, we can get a picnic, head up Mount Rocksand or something."
“It’s fine, honestly. We knew we were going to get this at some point, better to get it over and done with now.”
“I guess. Want to go for a walk?”
“Sounds like a plan. We still need to go stargazing, don’t we?”
“We do, and it should be pretty quiet up top of the research centre by this time.”
They went to pay the bill, and Owen held his hand up. “Nope, it’s been taken care of already. Promised I wouldn’t tell who, but it was someone’s way of showing they approved, I reckon.”
“Where you headin’ to now?” Hunter asked from her normal perch at the end of the bar.
“Bit of stargazing, might be somewhere without everyone trying to check up on me and check out Dale!” Heidi replied, laughing.
“Is that so? Just wait there a moment, then.”
Hunter disappeared into the kitchen and came back a few minutes later with a bag.
“There you go, blanket to keep y’all warm, then coffee and dessert to enjoy. My treat!”
The sky was wonderfully clear, and once they had finished looking for various constellations, they took advantage of Hunter’s present and wrapped the blanket round them while they enjoyed dessert. This turned out to be sand jujube cake, which they fed each other in small bites.
Finally, they sat back, and just enjoyed the quiet, and being in each other’s arms.
“Wish we could stay like this forever,” Heidi murmured.
“You really are a romantic at heart, aren’t you?” Dale replied, brushing his lips against her temple.
“Anyone that matters to me knows that, otherwise I keep it pretty well hidden, yeah.”
“Guess that means I matter, then?”
Heidi started to tease, but then stopped. If ever there was a time for honesty, it was now.
“Yes Dale, you matter to me. Light, you don’t know how much you matter to me.”
Dale paused. She hadn’t said she loved him, but given how hesitant she’d been, he’d take it.
“You matter so much to me, too,” he replied softly.
A week or so later, Dale woke up to the sound of something battering the walls and windows. He snuck a peek out, and realised it was a sandstorm, the first one he'd experienced, although he'd been warned about them.
He made his way downstairs and found Manny and Blythe having breakfast.
"Not sure what I expected, but this wasn't it," Manny grumbled.
"Yeah, it's something else," Dale replied. "Guess we're not working today."
“Guess you’re not going out to see your girlfriend, either?” Manny teased.
“Guess not,” Dale replied calmly, refusing to rise to the bait.
“Ooh, so he’s not denying it!” Manny said, laughing. “Pay up Blythe, you owe me fifty gols!”
“You’re betting on my love life?” Dale asked.
“Oh, come on!” Blythe replied. “When have you ever had a love life to speak of? In the five years we’ve worked together, I’ve seen you on maybe half a dozen dates, and certainly none that you’ve seen twice. We’ve been here what, a month? Six weeks? You and Heidi are basically joined at the hip, you’ve met the family, I’ve never seen you so caught up in a woman.”
“You’re one to talk, how many dates have you been on lately?”
“That’s different, we were trying to find Mirah!” explained Manny. “What’s your excuse?”
“Guess I was waiting to meet Heidi? I don’t know, something just clicked with her.”
“Ignore him,” Blythe said, “you deserve some happiness. Light, we all do,”
Heidi groaned as she woke up to the sound of the sandstorm. It was the first to hit the town for a while and also sounded like the worst one for a few years. While she’d talked to Dale about them, experiencing one was a whole different matter. She threw on her heaviest clothes, and headed downstairs, sandmask in hand. When she got downstairs, Vivi was hard at work in the kitchen already.
“Mornin’ Grandma, you’re up and baking early today.”
“Well, it’s those boys’ first sandstorm, and I reckon you’ll be wantin’ to take some food over to them. Doubt they’ll have had a chance to get themselves sorted yet.” She nodded to a bag already packed on the table.
“How did you know… wait, I don’t want an answer. Yes, I was going to go check up on them and I’m sure they’ll ‘preciate it, thank you.”
“That pair of young ‘uns seem to have sorted out whatever they did to upset Amirah, and as for Dale, well, I reckon you’ve found yourself a keeper, there.”
“Hmm… maybe. We haven’t talked long term yet. He’s only meant to be here for a few months to work on the temple, remember.”
“Heidi girl, if you don’t keep hol’ of that man, well let’s just say Cooper will finally have a new story of your stupidity to put that dog one to rest!”
“Point taken,” Heidi sighed, “but it’s not all up to me. He’s got a life back in Barnarock, remember.”
“Go sort things out, child. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Heidi grabbed the bag of goodies and headed out. It was as bad outside as it sounded. She headed towards Amirah’s place, wanting to see if her friend was going to check on them as well.
Amirah was heading out just as Heidi got to the top of the stairs, and they gave each other a thumbs up.
“The things we do for love, huh?” Heidi shouted at her friend without thinking. Wait, where had that come from? Girl, you’re out in a sandstorm to check up on him! that inner voice said. Think it’s about time you realised that love ain’t a four-letter word! The realisation settled over her, bringing both a sense of calm, and worry about the fact he only had a finite length of time left in town.
They battered on the door until Dale opened it a crack to check who was there. Once he saw Heidi and Amirah, he opened it just wide enough to let them in, without too much sand following them .
“We were warned about these before we arrived,” Dale said, “but the reality is something else!”
Once Heidi had her protective sandgear off, he scooped her up and headed upstairs.
“You know what they’re going to think we’re doing up here?” Heidi asked, giggling, as Dale set her on her feet.
“They can think what they like,” Dale replied, “although we’ll likely get round to that at some point, I just wanted to spend some time with you without other people around.”
"Sounds like a good way to pass a sandstorm," Heidi said, cuddling into him, before stepping back and looking round.
“It’s weird seeing the place looking like this. Logan and I grew up together. His ma left when he was a coupla months old, so my ma cared for both of us. I spent as much time in this house as he did in mine. Did tell him he needed a couple of chairs in here when he did the place up, though. Nowhere to sit.”
Dale sat on the bed and pulled Heidi onto his lap. “I think we can figure that out!”
It was so relaxing, Heidi realised, just lying there cuddling and chatting, with no goal in mind.
“You know you’ve got my Grandma’s approval, by the way?” Heidi asked. “Those baked goods? All her idea, ready before I even got up. I think she might even have thrown in some sand gear for the three of you as well. She told me you’re a keeper and doesn’t expect me home tonight.”
“What do you think?”
“I’m enjoying having you around, I can’t lie.”
“Have you figured out my catch yet?” Dale asked. He was mostly teasing, but it was a conversation they needed to start thinking about. What happens next
“Hmm, maybe,” Heidi replied. “Eventually, you’re going to back to Barnarock, and I’ll need to learn to live without you again.”
“Who says I’m going back, love?”
“I can’t ask you to stay, your life is there.”
“The most important thing in my life is right here,” he replied, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “Besides, I’m offering, you’re not asking. If I move, it’s my choice.”
“But, what if you wake up in six months and regret giving it all up?”
“That could happen, true, there’s no guarantees in life. But what if I wake up in ten, twenty years and realise each morning that I, that you matter to me more with every passing day?” He almost said that he'd love her more each day, but instead echoed their words from their stargazing session. “I know which I think is more likely.”
“I’d like that to happen,” Heidi admitted. “Seriously though, what would you do if you stayed in Sandrock?”
“I can work anywhere I can find workshop space. I’m sure Mi-an can find me a corner of the workshop, otherwise, I know a brilliant architect that could design me one."
Heidi smiled. "Flattery will get you everywhere!"
"Arvio has a well thought out system for delivering Mirah’s pottery across the Free Cities that could easily be adapted to packing glassware, too. The gallery and shop basically run themselves these days. I got a report from the temporary manager the other day, and things are doing well. We could look at making her permanent. Peach knows, I wouldn’t trust Manny and Blythe to run it, and that’s assuming they don’t decide to stay here as well.”
“Are things getting that serious with Amirah, then?”
“They look to be heading that way, not sure if they’re quite there yet. Wouldn’t rule it out though. Either way, if I stay here, I will need a trip back to tie everything up. Ever been to Barnarock?” Heidi shook her head. “Come with me? I’d love to show you round.”
“Convince me you won’t miss it, you mean?” she teased.
“Let me convince you how much I’ll miss you if you don’t come with me,” he replied, rolling her underneath him and lowering his lips to hers.
It was mid-afternoon before they ventured back downstairs. There was an odd, stilted atmosphere between the three of them, which lessened slightly with the addition of Heidi and Dale to distract them. Heidi glanced at Amirah who shook her head and mouthed "later".
Vivi’s baking was a hit with all three men. She had included Heidi and Amirah’s favourites to see the men’s reactions to the Sandrock delicacies. Heidi had her first taste of Barnarock coffee, much to the amusement of the others.
“Light, you need to convince Owen to import this for the saloon!” she moaned.
“Trust me, Sonia’s trying,” Amirah said. “Sticking point seems to be Arvio wants the shipment to come through him and they’re having trouble coming to a deal.”
“If only he knew other people from Barnarock, now!” Heidi joked.
The five of them hung out until evening, when the storm died down, and Blythe offered to walk Amirah home.
“What did you do, Manny?” Dale asked as soon as they left.
“Why does it have to be me?” he huffed. Dale just looked at him.
“Oh, okay, yeah. I put my foot in it again. Said I could never imagine moving away from Barnarock. She took it the wrong way.”
“Manny,” Heidi said. “I don’t know you that well, but you seem like a nice guy. You hurt my friend again, and I’ll see you in the sparring ring.”
Manny went white. He’d seen Dale limping home after training with Heidi. “Okay, okay, I’ll sort it with her. Not sure how, but I will.”
“Good. We’ll see you in the morning,” Dale said, as they got up and headed upstairs.
The next few weeks, they settled into a pleasant routine, working during the day, and spending most nights together. At Vivi’s insistence, Dale came round for dinner one evening. By the end of it, Hugo was far more talkative than he had been, and Vivi had promoted herself from Miz to Grandma. Dale and Heidi also began to make tentative plans for what would happen at the end of his contract.
Since Dale had reassured Heidi that he could work wherever, the next issue was where they would live.
“Would Logan ever sell this place?” Dale asked one night.
“You know, I’m not sure. I can ask him. Peach knows he hasn’t lived in it in about six years. Even when he was no longer on the run, he was bunking down with Justice or Hunter until they all moved into Owen’s place. I think there’s a lot of memories attached, but doing the place up to rent it out might have helped there.”
Finally, the day came to move the windows from the old temple to the new one.
Dale had spent the previous few days with a work crew removing them and packing them up using Arvio’s mail order packaging. The windows were delicate, but heavy. It wasn’t a long trip between the two places, but it was uneven, and included stairs, so he was taking no risks.
Slowly and carefully, they took them down on a cart one at a time. Each window was placed against the wall before going back for the next one. Finally, they were all there, and the last panel was being unloaded. Dale and Heidi stood back watching, keeping out the way while Manny and Blythe helped.
“Well, we’re almost done,” Dale said, “just these to go, then we can unveil the finished works soon.”
“Yeah, then we can start planning the future properly,” Heidi replied, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Suddenly, there was a shout and a crack, and the panel they were unloading started tipping over.
Without thinking, Heidi darted forward and easily caught it before it hit the floor. Dale was right behind her, and helped her walk it upright. The work crew started to help as well, and they guided it safely against the wall.
Dale wrapped Heidi in his arms. "Just wish you wouldn't take risks like that, you know.”
"My grandparents got married in front of those windows, so did my parents. I kinda like the idea of doing the same myself."
“You’re worth far more than those windows, love."
“Needed doin’, didn’t it. Besides, we both know I can handle it!”
Manny and Blythe came running over. “What the Darkness were you thinking?” Blythe yelled at her in shock. “You know how heavy those are? You could have been killed! Dale, why on earth didn’t you stop her?”
Dale barked a laugh out. “Like I could stop Heidi doing anything! Besides, I know she’s more than capable of handling much heavier than those panels, it’s one of the many reasons I love her.” Heidi stilled in his arms. Did he just say…
“OK, so long as you’re alright, we're stepping out of this conversation!” Blythe laughed, dragging Manny away.
“I’m sorry, love, I shouldn’t have blurted it out like that,” Dale murmured. "Wanted to wait for the big romantic gesture."
“You mean it?” Heidi asked softly.
“Totally. I love you, have done since the first time you laid me flat in the sparring ring, I reckon. I should just have told you before now.”
“You’ve shown me in every action, though, even without the words. And Light, I love you, too. You matter to me more with every passing day."
EPILOGUE
Heidi glanced at the calendar; was it really a year since Dale had arrived in Sandrock and turned her life upside down? It had gone so fast, but at the same time, she couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t been in her life.
She’d taken the day off and, with help from Grandma Vivi, had prepared a special anniversary dinner. If Vivi had any idea why Heidi was so jittery about it, well for once she'd kept her thoughts to herself.
Finally, Dale came walking through the door, just a little later than usual. He'd worked with Arvio to expand the homewares side of the general store into a second branch of the gallery. In fact, between him, Amirah, Pablo, Manny and Blythe, Sandrock was developing a reputation as a centre for the creative arts across the free cities, even giving Walnut Groove a run for its money.
“Evening, love,” he called out, setting a large package on the table, before pulling Heidi into his arms.
“Evening, yourself,” she replied. “Busy day?”
“Office day, all the boring stuff. But, left me plenty of time to daydream about what you’ve got planned for tonight. Want to open your present first?” he asked, gesturing to the package.
Heidi carefully loosened the fastenings on it and lifted the lid, and gasped as she revealed three perfect miniature replicas of the windows from the temple.
“Dale! These are amazing! Thank you! I don’t know what to say!”
“Since you like them so much, I though you’d like to have your own version hanging in the house,” he said, smiling.
“Can we put them in the nursery?” Heidi asked with a grin.
“We don’t have a nursery?”
“Not yet, but we will do in about, oh, six months or so?!”
“You mean…?”
Heidi nodded. “I saw Fang today, he confirmed it. We’re having a baby, Dale!”
Dale pulled Heidi back into his arms. “Oh Light, I can’t believe it, that’s wonderful!”
“Not according to Fang!” Heidi giggled. “Apparently I’m the fourth one he’s confirmed this week, and we’re all due within about a month of each other! He’s panicking that he’ll finally need to take on a nurse!”
“Who else?” Dale asked. “I know Arvio was dropping hints recently that he and Sonia were trying for number two?” Heidi nodded. “Let me guess, Mirah as well?”
“I couldn’t possibly comment until she’s ready to go public!” Heidi replied with a smirk. “Just worry about ours for now!”
“Light, I love you,” he murmured, “and you matter to me so much!”
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