Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, aside from burying my parents. I convinced myself that it would be better if I chased that dream, but I realized the second I pulled out of your driveway that’s not my dream anymore. I wasn’t excited about the job or leaving you. My heart was in tattered pieces, and I couldn’t breathe. I’m sorry I put us through that, Archer.” I look at his family again, emotion clogging my throat. “All of you. You’ve welcomed me into your homes, into your lives, and you’ve given me so much love and happiness that for the first time in a very long time, maybe even ever, I feel as though I belong.”
“With me,” Archer says, making everyone laugh. However, he’s not laughing. His voice is gravelly, and the pain is still evident. The pain I caused by driving away.
“I hope that you can all accept my apology. I want to be here. I want to work in Willow River. I want to live here and be a part of your family.” I stand here, wringing my hands together as I wait for Archer to decide if he can welcome me back into his life. I keep my eyes glued to his as he processes what I’ve just said. He swallows hard and opens his mouth but no words come out.
Panic starts to well deep inside my belly. Does he not want me?
He lifts his hand but quickly drops it, forming a fist at his side. My eyes dart back to his, and I see a storm of emotions. I mouth, “I love you,” and that’s when I see it. I see his resolve crumble. His shoulders fall, and he takes a step forward.
“Done.” Archer pulls me into another hug. This one is just as tight, but the implication is more. He loves me, he forgives me, and we’re doing this. Together. We’re going to build a life. I’m going to put down some roots, and without a shadow of a doubt, I know there will never be a day that goes by that I will regret my decision.
“You’re really here?” he asks, his face buried in my neck.
“I’m here. I’m yours. Forever.”
“Fuck.” His voice cracks, and his arms tighten to the point that breathing is difficult, but I hold on to him just as fiercely. He eventually loosens his grip but keeps me tucked in close to his side. That’s fine with me. It’s where I belong.
“Are you hungry?” Carol asks.
“Um, no, thank you. My belly is still a little unsettled.”
“Come on, sweetheart.” She holds out her hand. “You need to eat something.”
I nod and place my hand in hers. There’s no use in arguing, and she’s right. I know she is.
“Wait!” Palmer calls out.
“What?” I stop and give her my full attention.
“This means you still work for me, right?” she asks.
The tears well again. I’ve cried enough today to last me a lifetime. “I would love that.”
“That’s great news,” Brooks speaks up. “Palmer’s going to need the extra help when baby number two gets here.”
“Brooks!” she scolds.
“What?”
“We were waiting.”
“I’m too excited.”
“Congratulations.” I step back as everyone offers hugs.
“Thank you. It’s early, like really early. We’re six weeks. I wanted to wait until we were past the first trimester.”
“Two new family members.” Merrick grins. “Let’s eat.”
Everyone files out of the entryway and back to the living room and kitchen. “Tell me I’m not dreaming,” Archer says, his arm is around my waist. His grip is firm, as if he’s afraid I might disappear.
“If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.”
“You’re here. For good. You’re staying?” There is so much hope in his voice, that if he were not holding me close, I might fall to my knees to beg his forgiveness.
“I’m here for good. I’m staying. I’m also going to need to stay with you for a few days until I can find a place.”
“You live here.”
“What?”
“Do you really think I’m going to let you live somewhere else? If you don’t like this house, we’ll sell and buy or build, but it will be together.”
I open my mouth to argue and find that I don’t want to. I want to live here with him. I’m ready for us to start our lives together. “Okay.” One word sets the rest of our life in motion. I don’t know what compelled me to answer that Help Wanted ad in Willow River, Georgia, but I will thank my lucky stars each and every day that I did.
My dream of photography, my need to take a short break from traveling led me to my heart. To a man who I love with my entire being, and a family who has done nothing but treat me as one of their own. My heart is so full it feels as if it could explode outside my chest.