Page 57 of Dumped for a Christmas Tree Farmer

Dear Indy,

I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am that you found out about me the way you did. It was never my intention for this to happen so publicly.

You should know that your mother absolutely did nothing wrong. When I visited Bear Hills for the first time all those years ago, I met your mom, and as you know, she was the most charismatic, charming, beautiful woman I’ve ever met. She didn’t know I was married because I didn’t tell her. I knew what I was doing and she did not. Please be reassured by that fact.

When I decided to move my family here permanently, I found out about you. I was a coward, ignoring the obvious for far too long. When your mother and I spoke when you were a few years old, she asked me to stay away. To never tell you who I was. She told me you were happy, that you didn’t have any needs or wishes that weren’t being met and truthfully, I felt that disrupting both our lives with the truth would only cause more heartache and pain.

When Holly brought you home for the first time, I hid in my office and cried, convinced that my wife and Holly would be able to see the truth as clearly as I did. You were my daughter.

I promised myself to watch from afar and respect the decision your mom made, which I still believe was the right one. She wanted to protect you and she did a damn good job of raising you to be a strong person who always helps others. She needed nothing from me and refused to accept any help, financial or otherwise.

After speaking with Holly last night, I now understand the impact that hiding this secret had on my family, especially on her. But I cannot begin to imagine how it impacted you. I know Holly is upset, and I know that things may seem impossible now. All I can ask, no, beg, is that you find it in your heart to forgive her. She’s a good person. Beneath it all, she’s hurt, and I believe more lonely than I ever realized.

So please do not place all the blame with her. Place it with the person responsible. Place it with me.

I dare not ask for your forgiveness. It would seem ridiculous to do so. But I am so sorry. For everything. For lying, for hiding, for being an utter coward. You deserved so much better from me. And if you let me, I hope that one day we could have a call, or I can come and visit you and Maverick in Seattle.

If you or Maverick need anything at all, in business, or family life, then please know I am just a phone call away.

Hugh

Tears track down my cheeks.

Damn him.

The heat of anger and the sinking pull of sadness war between themselves in my chest.

Holly and I are half-sisters. We grew up together. This could have been resolved years ago and I wouldn’t have been so alone when mom died.

Crumpling the letter in my hand, Mav pulls over when he finds a spot, putting the car in park before pulling me into his lap.

“You’re okay, sweetheart. Let it all out,” he murmurs against my ear.

My nose nuzzles into his neck, the scent of him mixed with the lingering smoke from the fireplace at the cottage soothes the ache inside me.

“We’ve ticked off revenge. Shall we plan a murder next?” His eyes gleam with playfulness but something tells me that if I asked him to, he would find a way.

I huff out a wet laugh, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. His thumb brushes away my tears.

“I—I understand why he didn’t tell me. And I’m so fucking mad about it, but I get it, you know?” He nods, his thumbing continuing to trace along my cheek. “I think I’ll talk to him, but not right now. I need some time and I don’t want this situation to cloud the first few weeks together,” I say, my voice steadier.

“Well, that’s good to hear, because your business partner can be very demanding.”

I chuckle, letting go of the emotions the letter brought up. “I’m so excited about our life together and I don’t want this to affect that. I’ll need to deal with it and talk to him eventually.”

“You will,” Mav agrees. “But that’s when you want to. Not him.”

I glance down at his lips. It’s January and we agreed we would be platonic for the first year until I’m settled into the role. The line has already been drawn, even if we woke up in bed together this morning.

I drop one gentle kiss to his lips, my eyes falling closed as I savor the touch of him one last time.

“We can do this right?” I ask as I pull away. “We can build something together without our feelings getting in the way?”

Mav’s eyes dart between mine before he drops a kiss on my forehead, sliding me back into my seat. He turns the car back on, tilting his head toward me, “Kiss me again and I’m going to have to get HR involved Miss Winters.”

He winks, pulling back onto the road and I pull his jacket back over my lap.

Chapter Twenty-Four