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I could've had you.

Twelve years. I can't get them back. I won't knowingly lose more time with someone I love because I'm afraid of what happens when I tell her the truth.

Late that afternoon, I find a gate along the north pasture that needs adjusting. Or I decide it does. Working with my hands usually clears my head. Today, it isn't helping much.

I'm tightening the hinge when Jack walks over. He picks up the level from the grass and checks the gate. "It's straight."

"I know."

He sets the level down. For a moment, he stands beside me without saying anything. Then, "You okay?"

"Yeah." I look at him. "Actually, I think I am."

Jack nods. "He read the letters."

His expression changes. "How'd that go?"

"Hard." I set the wrench down. "But good. We finally talked about everything."

"I'm glad."

"He told me Diana used to ask if he wanted to see me. He always said no."

"Because he was angry."

"Yeah." I look across the pasture. "He thought I didn't love him."

"And now?"

"He knows."

Jack puts a hand on my shoulder. "That's what matters."

I nod. For a while, we stand there looking across the farm. We've spent enough years beside each other to know silence doesn't always need filling.

Eventually Jack asks, "How's Maddy?"

"Good. Restaurant's doing great."

"And you?"

"I miss her."

"I know." Of course he does. Jack has known me too long.

I pick up the wrench again, then set it right back down. "What am I supposed to do? Show up in New York and tell her I love her?"

"I know that too."

I look at him. "Apparently you've got this whole conversation covered."

"Not the important part."

"Which is?"

He looks straight at me. "Pronto."

I stare at him. "You're using Pronto on my love life?"