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“I’m not expecting you to profess your undying love. I just want you to know I want you to come back. I’m willing to go anywhere with you. I’m not sure what all of this means, but if you think you’ve caused conflict you’re wrong. Leaving wasn’t the wise thing to do. I want you in my life, Ella.”
Tears flowed down her cheeks at his words. She was beginning to believe maybe they did have a chance. Had she run because that’s what she was good at? Should she have spoken to him? If he was putting in so much effort, maybe he didn’t blame her. Then again, it could ruin his friendship with Rafe. She’d been tasked to bring them together. She certainly didn’t want to be the one to tear them apart.
“What?” he asked.
“I believe you,” she finally said. “But I can’t come between you and your friends.”
He laughed, irritating her slightly. “Rafe knows the truth. He needs to do better at not judging first and assessing later. He wanted to help me find you, but he knew this was a journey I had to do on my own. It doesn’t matter in the end though, Ella, because I trust you. I love you. That’s what matters. Give us a real chance, we deserve that.”
“I’m scared,” she told him.
“I’m scared too,” he admitted. “What I can say for sure though is I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you. Not only do we have fun together, but I can tell you all my dreams. I feel at peace when you’re near. We don’t have to be in the same room for me to find happiness, I just want you in the same home. I like who I am when I’m with you.”
Ella looked into his soulful eyes and realized this was what she’d wanted all along. She hadn’t dared allow herself to think he’d come for her, but it had been her secret desire. She hadn’t wanted to leave him. She didn’t hesitate any longer before flinging herself into his open arms. She buried her head against his chest and sobbed.
They stayed that way for a long while. He didn’t make her explain herself, didn’t make her beg, and didn’t guilt her for leaving. He did what had made her fall in love with him in the first place . . . he held her while she adjusted to her new reality.
She knew it wasn’t going to be perfect from that day forward, but she was also aware that she could have a lifetime of happiness with the man holding her. She might get a happy ending after all.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ella
Laughter and the aroma of meat on a grill made Ella smile as she looked at the chaos surrounding her. She was happy, so very happy. Her entire life hadn’t been all misery, but there had been few times she’d smiled with such abandon. She seemed to do it on a daily basis now.
She’d been back in California with Bass for the past two months and they were happier and stronger than ever before. She thought she’d needed to leave, but she was so glad he’d come and found her. She wouldn’t leave again unless he asked her to. Each day that passed she grew more confident in who she was and in who they were together.
Today was the official opening of Nana Bee’s Healing Path. The joy in the air was priceless. Hundreds of kids from local foster homes, counselors, school teachers, and volunteers were having fun and keeping busy, while many were filling out applications. The center began with a bang and it might need to expand sooner than they ever could’ve imagined. It was a joy that the idea of this place was so popular with the community.
Ella had been humbled to find out that Nana Bee had helped so many more people than she’d been aware of. Her family had been just as surprised. Nana Bee had lived her life giving back each and every day. What a legacy she’d left behind. There weren’t too many people the same could be said about.
As soon as Ella had come home, Rafe, Ari, Lia, and Rachel had all greeted her, telling her she was a fool to think any of them wanted her to leave. They’d included her in their family from that moment on, and their friendship was growing. She was a very lucky woman.
“Come on, Ella, it’s time to cut the ribbon,” Rachel said as she grabbed her arm and dragged her to the horse barn where the kids wanted to be most, so they decided to do their official opening ceremony right there.
“I can’t believe it’s opening day,” Ella said as they rushed past the crowds of people. She looked around for Bass but didn’t see him anywhere. She was filled with joy to be here for this special day. Bass not being there was unusual as he was just as excited for this place. Then again, he was most likely doing last minute things. Rafe was nowhere to be seen either.
“You, Rafe, and Bass did an incredible job, and you came up with the perfect business for this property. I know Nana Bee is looking down on all of us and smiling,” Rachel said with tears in her eyes.
“I think she is too,” Ella said. She stopped and grabbed Rachel, giving her a big hug. “I miss her, but I feel her here.”
“Me too,” Lia said as she joined them. “Let’s get started.”
“Rafe and Bass aren’t here. We can’t start without them,” Ella said.
“Oh, you know the boys. They want to make a grand entrance,” Lia said with a laugh. It felt wrong to begin, but both Lia and Rachel were persistent, so Ella stepped to the mic and the crowd quieted.
“About six months ago, we had a tragic loss in the Palazzo family. Everyone, related or not, felt the loss of Nana Bee. We all still do. She left the task of finding something beautiful to happen with her property up to her grandson Rafe Palazzo, one of her adopted orphan kids, Sebastian Fisher, and me, Ella Jones. It wasn’t easy to find something fitting for Nana Bee’s legacy, but we eventually came up with Nana Bee’s Healing Path where foster children and at-risk school children can get free services to help heal them from the trauma they are put through. It breaks my heart when children are abused, but unfortunately a lot of evil exists in the world. Nana Bee saved both Bass and me from our childhoods, and we hope many more children will be saved through her Healing Path, built out of love in Nana Bee’s memory.”
She stopped as she got choked up. Several people nodded as they wiped away their own tears. She took in a deep breath, then kept speaking.
“I’m not sure what Rafe and Bass are up to, but I’m sure it will be something grand and spectacular. For now, Lia, Rachel, Ari, and I will cut the ribbon and let the party begin. Please feel free to eat as much as you like and to explore every inch of Nana Bee’s Healing Path. Please fill out the volunteer application, and donations are always accepted and welcome. The children who use Healing Path will be fed and cared for without any cost to them. We will allow and encourage the kids to help in other ways though, like taking care of the horses, cleaning the barn, and maintenance on the property. Nana Bee believed giving kids a purpose in life would keep them on the right track. It worked for me, and it certainly worked for Bass.”
The audience cheered and clapped as Ella stepped away from the mic. She then went to the large ribbon tied across the huge barn opening. She and the girls each held a pair of scissors. They each placed theirs over the ribbon and made four cuts at the same time, the ribbon falling away. A cheer erupted and they were nearly mauled as children made a mad dash for the barn. They had many extra volunteers to make sure the horses didn’t get spooked and the kids didn’t get hurt in all of the excitement.
Ella turned to leave when she heard a trumpet. She looked around in confusion. It sounded like the opening to every royal romance movie she’d ever watched. The crowd parted and she saw six horses trotting forward with men dressed like knights. She laughed.
This had to be Bass and Rafe making an entrance, acting like princes from a foreign land. Shane, and King Adriane must be with them as well. She wasn’t sure who the other two men were. Maybe one was Martin, Rafe’s father? They were all dressed in full gear with their heads covered so she wasn’t sure.
