Bookshelves line the walls with wide windows overlooking the front yard. There’s a big, comfortable chair by the window and a couple of eclectic chairs around the room. There’s another fireplace, smaller than the one that’s in the living room. At first, I can’t see what’s in this room that will make Connor blush, but as I look around, I see it.
On one side of the room, across from the windows, is a wood structure which has a rectangular window. As I walk closer, I see that it’s big enough for one person. There’s a desk with a raised ledge to rest a tablet, a mike and recording equipment set up. I open the door and step inside, closing it behind me. All noise disappears. Soundproof padding covers the walls, and I guess the window is soundproof as well.
I stare at Connor through the window.
He bought me a wedding ring and he built me a recording studio in his house.
I open the door of the studio and step up, directly into his arms. Pushing up onto my toes, I grab the back of his neck and pull him down for a soul sucking kiss. He pulls me up and against him and I wrap my legs around his waist.
“This is crazy, Connor,” I whisper.
“This is love, baby girl. You don’t have to move here for us to be together, but on the off-chance we come back, even for a couple of weeks, I want you to be comfortable. I want you to have everything you need.”
He’s already decided we’re going to be together. He’s ready to build a life for us, whether it’s here, in New York, or anywhere in the world. And I think I’m finally ready as well.
NINETEEN
SCARLETT
As Connor promised, the roads are cleared by the evening, and he takes me back to my family. Our hands are joined for the whole drive, and I get it. We spent the whole day talking and being layabouts and I don’t want it to end. All the old feelings are coming back and I’m starting to realize that the Connor I loved--love--would have never left me because he didn’t want me.
“Come to the ranch tomorrow morning to ride,” Connor says, pressing me against his black truck in front of the Inn.
“You?” I ask, wide-eyed.
He laughs. “That’s always an option, but I was talking about horses.”
“Oooh, I’m sure the family will love that.” I blink up at him innocently. “Do you think Oliver will be available to ride with me? I’ve never ridden a horse before.”
I met the ranch foreman as we were leaving, and he is cute.
Connor growls, nuzzling my neck. “You’ll ride with me, baby girl.” He kisses me slow and deep, as if he’s trying to remind me that only he kisses me like this. Like only he has the right.
“Ahem.”
We pull apart to see Harvey coming down the porch steps, a shit-eating grin on her face. I smile at her, but it drops whenI see Jane exiting the Honeysuckle behind her. Jane has made an enemy out of me for life for trying to destroy my sister’s wedding.
“I see you two made up,” Harvey says.
“I’m hard to resist,” Connor replies.
“He’s too pretty, so we can ignore his delusions,” I say to Harvey.
“Connor, can I talk to you?” Jane asks, stepping up to us. Harvey shifts uncomfortably.
I arch up, kissing Connor’s cheek. “See you later?”
“Of course. I still have to meet all my in-laws,” he says, winking at me.
I laugh, walking up the steps to the Inn. When I step through the door, I feel like a different person than I was when I left it last night. I climb up the stairs two at a time and use my key to unlock the room door. It’s empty, so Sadie must be in the cousins room or somewhere else. Shrugging off my jacket, I drop it on my bed and reach for my purse.
If I’m going to move forward, I need to make sure the past is in the past.
Pulling out Connor’s letter, I sit down on the chair and finally open it.
Baby girl,
This isn’t a letter I ever thought I would write. Once you read it, you will probably wonder why I didn’t call you or see you, and the truth is, I’m too much of a coward to do either of those things. Being with you is the first time I’ve felt like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. There was always this ball of anxiety in my chest that Iwas doing the wrong thing, chasing my dream. But that dream also brought me to you.
