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Grief does strange things to people, and mine made me a recluse. I fear attachment because I never wanted to feel as weak as I had stumbling into our empty house the day our parents died or falling to my knees in the hospital after Paige eventually passed on.
But for as much as I’ve sacrificed for my brothers, as much as I’ve made them a priority, I think I’ve been missing the point.
It’s a battle between what I’ve always believed and what I’m slowly starting to question. Vulnerability equals weakness.
Except, it doesn’t have to…
“Bring them here,” she says with unshakable surety. “Let them experience Magnolia Creek for themselves so they can see why you’ve stayed as long as you have.”
I haven’t stayed this long because of this town. I’ve stayed because of her.
But what if that’s the missing link? What if the answer to our divide is bringing them here, not just to fulfill their tasks, but for good?
We gradually halt our dance, and I break away, bracing my hands on one of the windowless ledges. It’s pitch black out, with only the glow of a lantern above us and the fireflies flitting through the tall grass.
“The manor is rightfully yours, Rowan.” I admire her tact while facing the futility of our situation because I’m coming apart one thread at a time. “You can stay, even after we’re divorced. Have the family you’ve always wanted. Be happy.”
Without her? Not a chance in hell. The mere thought of touching another woman makes my stomach pinch with nausea.
But it’s not that simple.
“You don’t have to choose.”
“Of course I do. I’ve given Sam my word, and even if I went back on it, this fake marriage of ours is just one part of this entire mess.” I sigh deeply, sensing the weight of impossibility on my shoulders. “If my brothers don’t meet their obligations, the estate and lumber business default to Patricia to do with as she sees fit, and we lose everything. Including what little ties we have left with our mother.”
I huff faintly when her palm slips between my shoulder blades. “The only way to be rid of the manor entirely is to complete the requirements, and subsequently gift or sell whatever we’re left with.”
“In your case, the house and your shares in the company?” she asks, and I nod solemnly.
“Patricia’s demanding an authentic marriage, and it should’ve been easy to convince her and everyone else that this was real. I’d marry you, give you the money I promised in exchange, and hand it all over to Sam once we were divorced. Then, once I convinced my brothers to do what needed to be done, we’d all return to life as usual. But now…”
I straighten to stand before her, baring my soul as she’s encouraged me to do, and it’s agonizing, like tearing my heart from my chest and holding it out for her in the hopes she’ll see me for me. That she’ll want me as much as I want her right now, and forever.
“Now what?” she asks. “What do you want, Rowan?”
Her gown shimmers when I lift her so she’s sitting on the ledge, and I bury my face in her neck, grasping the fabric around her hips, desperate to be closer to her. Fucking aching for this woman I care so much for.
She wraps her arms around me, holding tightly as I release a shuddering breath. “You. This. Us.”
“What are you saying?” There’s a tremor of uncertainty in her question as she pulls back.
“I love you, Molly.” Her lips part when I sweep my thumb across her wine-stained cheek, and it’s so goddamn relieving to finally voice what I’ve been feeling for weeks. Hell, what I’ve felt since the start. “And loving you hasn’t just changed me… It’s changed everything.”
A faint smile tugs her cheek as she absently traces doodles across my chest. “I love you, too.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, pressing my forehead to hers as we breathe each other in. For several heartbeats, we simply exist, and that’s all I want anymore. I won’t turn my back on my family, but after today, I refuse to be anywhere she isn’t.
“I’ll talk to Sam. We’ll come to an agreement, but two Saturdays from now, when you’re walking down that aisle, I’m making you my wife for real.”
“Your business,” she whispers, cautiously hopeful. “What will you do?”
“I’ll work remotely until Archer and I figure something out.” I hesitate before exhaling. “It’ll be the challenge of a lifetime convincing them to come.”
“The manor was given to you and your brothers because Thomas wanted you all to have it. Obviously, he had a purpose, or he would have willed it to Sam instead.” Her expression is soft and supportive. “They’ll see how much work we’ve put into it, the potential for your family to be whole again, and they’ll agree to whatever they need to do.”
“And if they don’t?”
She arches a brow, lips twitching into a smirk. “Then I’ll have to remind you of your tendency to get what you want.”
