Page 80 of Home Is Where You Are

My hands shook as I opened the text.

A number I didn’t recognize appeared on the screen.

I only read the first sentence before I clenched the phone so tight I was sure the screen would crack.

The message was from my mother.

I hadn’t heard from her in four years, ever since our falling out.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Is everything okay?”

Not in the slightest. Every part of me wanted to delete the message without reading it.

But you know what they say about curiosity. It killed the cat. And I was sure this message would likely kill another piece of me.

“I received a message from my mom.” I don’t know how I managed to even say that out loud.

“What did she say?” Holden eyed me warily. He knew what had gone down with my parents.

“I haven’t even had the chance to read it. I just saw that it was from her and looked away.”

“You could always delete it. You don’t need that headache in your life.”

I was grateful for his advice. But I had to look. I had to know why she’d reached out to me now.

Unknown number: Hey, Gentry. It’s your mom. Your dad and I are going to be passing through Haven Valley in the next few days. We need to see you.

And just like that, another part of my past was about to come back into my life. Only my parents returning didn’t light up my life like Ainsleigh did. They brought nothing but bad news and trouble. God only knew which one would follow them into town. But I knew in the pit of my stomach that if she was reaching out to me, whatever she had to see me about was about to upend my life.

twenty-six

AINSLEIGH

Ifelt him watching me last night when we were at the clubhouse. I wanted so badly to walk over to him, but something always stopped me.

My thoughts were all over the place. I couldn’t focus today, and that could be dangerous on the ranch. My mind kept drifting to the endless possibilities at my disposal to make this ranch thrive. When I wasn’t thinking about the ranch, my thoughts were of Gentry. How much I wanted to tell him my plans. How much I wanted to admit my feelings for him.

I meant what I told Holden. I loved him. God, did I love that man. But I didn’t know him anymore. He didn’t know me. We’d both changed. We needed to have the hard conversation I’d put off. I had to lay everything out on the line and see what his response was. If anything, I wanted to be his friend. But I wanted more. Admitting that in my mind gave me chills.

I clocked out for the day and made my way over to my secret place. I had to have this conversation before I chickened out.

The stable came into view, and I looked up at the window for the room above. No lights were on, but it was still light outside so he might not have turned them on.

My hands shook as I made my way up the stairs. I knocked on his door, but didn’t receive a response.

I was about to turn around and leave, but decided I’d just leave him a note that I wanted to speak with him.

The door was unlocked so I went in. The room was empty and the bathroom door was open. Gentry wasn’t here. My heart sank, but I trudged forward, hoping that there was paper and pen in his nightstand.

I sat on the bed and rifled inside the drawer, finding a familiar envelope.

Pulling it out, I sat there on the bed, my head down as I held the envelope in my hand. My hands shook harder as I opened it. I knew what the contents were. Inside were the words that I wrote to him all those years ago.

Opening the envelope, I pulled out the paper and carefully opened it.

Tears filled my eyes as I read the contents.

My dearest Gentry,