Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
A sob escaped my mouth.
“If you need proof, here it is. I love you more than anything. I will give up my job here, my house, and my life and come with you so you can have your dream.”
I shook my head wildly. “No—you can’t—”
He silenced me with a shake of his head. “I can. You mean more to me than any of that. I want to give you your dream. But I want to be a part of it.”
All I could do was cry.
“Tell me you want that, Pix.”
“I-I’m scared,” I admitted.
He smiled, his eyes softer now. “So am I.”
“You would do that?”
“Yes. And I have something else to prove how much I love you.”
He held out his hand, and I took it, something easing inside me as he touched me. He led me down the path to the front of the house and pointed to the porch. “I bought you that for here, there, wherever we live.”
That was a set of wind chimes. Possibly the most beautiful wind chimes I had ever seen.
Glistening crystals dripped from glass strings. Silver and blue butterflies hung on invisible lines, their wings moving gracefully in the breeze, the sounds of the metal hitting the clapper a sweet noise. I gasped when I realized there was more than one set. Jesse had some on his side as well. Gold and green sang out in beautiful harmony.
“I will cover this house and these trees with them. You can have anything you want, Casey. All you have to do is ask.”
A memory stirred, long forgotten. Lou in front of me, holding a small pile of fur. Pink and fluffy, the fake rabbit was adorable. But I wasn’t allowed to have it. Mom had said no. But Lou held it out. “It’s for you. All you have to do is ask.”
I never asked. Mom always said no. But Lou smiled in understanding. “You have to love him.”
“I do.”
“Then be brave, Casey.”
A moment later, I held the bunny.
It had been with me through every move and still sat on my dresser. I had forgotten where it came from. Until now.
I looked at Jesse and saw the love. His desire. His need.
“I want you.”
He cupped my cheek. “Why? Tell me why, Pix.”
I swallowed, my voice shaking, my body trembling as I gave in to what I wanted. What I needed.
“I love you.”
Instantly, I was in his arms. Held tight to his chest as I wept. He scooped me up and carried me inside, holding me close. He let me cry, and I knew he was weeping too.
“I’m not letting you go, Pix. I’ll come with you. Nothing matters if you’re not with me.”
“I didn’t want to leave you. I was just too scared to believe. To ask.”
He pressed a kiss to my wet cheek. “You have me. I promise.”
“I love you,” I said again.
His smile was like sunshine after a rainstorm. Bright, beautiful. Mine.
“I love you,” he replied. “We’ll figure it all out.”
I buried my head into his neck.
“Okay.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
JESSE
Ipaced, hating the fact that I had agreed to let Casey make the phone call on her own. She had decided to turn down the offer, deciding her dream had changed. She no longer wanted to roam, searching for something. To move constantly. She wanted to stay here with me. Run her business. Be here with me—always.
And she loved me.
We’d talked until we were hoarse. So exhausted we could barely stand. We fell into bed together, holding each other, and slept.
I woke up with her beside me, her hand on my heart.
The heart that was now truly hers.
We had coffee and made some plans. I wanted to move her in to my side right away. She practically lived here anyway. Then I wanted to start on tearing down the walls and refitting the house to have as our home. The first real home she had known as a child would become her permanent place for the rest of her life.
With me.
She walked through the closet, looking contemplative. She met my gaze, hers thoughtful but calm.
“What did he say? How did he take it?”
“He said he felt my hesitation, and he had a backup plan. He offered me a different scenario.”
I sat down, pulling her with me. “Which is?”
“I would still undertake the project, but with an assistant of my choice. I would fly there and get it rolling. Be available every day for meetings and Zoom. Fly back when needed and promise to be there at least one week a month. The money would be less, but still substantial. And I would split the bonuses with my number two.”
“That sounds great.”
“I’d still be gone for a week every month.”
“So we schedule your week for when I start my two-day shift. Then I only have to get through five days without you. And I’ll use my saved-up time and come with you every second month.”