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“Leaving Hollywood was a difficult decision, but when I look at what I have now—Val, Natalie, this life we’ve built together—I know in my heart that it was the right choice. I’ve never been happier.”
Viv listened intently, her mind swirling with the implications of Cameron’s words. It was clear that she had a choice to make about her own path, and her heart pounded with the uncertainty of it all. For now, however, she would focus on the love and support surrounding her in that cozy cabin. As the evening evaporated into night, she and Cameron continued to share stories, laughter, and a growing sense of understanding.
Outside, an owl hooted, and Viv realized how exhausted she was. The emotions of the day had taken their toll on her.
Cameron offered a comforting smile. “Get some rest, Viv. You need it. And remember, whatever you decide about your future, we’re here for you and love you.”
“Can I ask you one more question?” Viv asked hesitantly. “I’ve been thinking about Red and the possibility of us dating. Given your past with him, is it weird that I’m considering it?”
Cameron cocked her head and looked forward with a thoughtful expression. “Viv, life isn’t about dwelling on the past. It’s about living in the present and looking forward to and shaping the future,” she said softly. “Red and I had our time, but we’ve both moved on. What’s important is that you follow your heart and do what makes you happy. If that’s Red, then I say go for it. We all grow as people, and I’m sure he’s not the same Red I knew and loved. I hope he’s better for you. I accept some responsibility for what happened between us. It does take two to tango. While I can’t condone most of his behavior as he tried in his way to hang on to me and our relationship, I can also see how I enabled and even inadvertently brought it on. What we thought was love was just both of us working through our obstacles on a journey to finding true love.”
Viv listened intently, her mind racing again as she absorbed Cameron’s words. At that moment, she experienced a profound sense of clarity.
Viv’s heart swelled with appreciation as she embraced Cameron, whispering, “Thank you. Your support means more to me than you know.”
Retreating to the guest room, Viv settled into the soft, welcoming bed. The familiar scent of the cabin’s wooden walls and fresh mountain air filled her senses. Her thoughts drifted to Red, and she couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing then. She knew she would have to confront her deepening feelings for him eventually, but for now, she allowed herself to be lulled to sleep by the gentle sounds of the night.
* * *
Morning arrivedwith the promise of a new day, and Viv awoke feeling refreshed and determined. As she readied herself to return to Red’s house, she was filled with excitement and anticipation. She dressed and showered and said goodbye to her brother.
As she stepped out of the cabin, the crisp morning air greeted her, and she took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with her loved ones by her side and the strength of her determination, she was ready to face whatever life had in store for her. The journey to herself had taken a sharp and unexpected turn. It was unsettling but also strangely welcome.
With a final wave goodbye to Cameron, who stood in the doorway cradling a still-sleepy Natalie, Viv climbed into her Yukon and drove. The sun was cresting over the mountains, bathing the world in a golden light, and Viv felt a sense of hope blossoming in her heart.
The quiet serenity of the early morning drive gave Viv the perfect opportunity to reflect on her life and her choices. The beauty of the landscape around her seemed to intensify her thoughts, allowing her to see her situation with a fresh set of eyes. She loved the quote she had seen from a French author that the real voyage of life had to do not with seeking new landscapes but with finding new eyes. Most of her life choices and epiphanies happened when she was in one place, not while she was gallivanting around exotic destinations.
Viv couldn’t help but contemplate her future as the road stretched before her. She had dedicated herself to a bodyguard’s high-stakes, high-stress life, but had she ever truly considered what she was sacrificing in the process? Had she even ever considered the alternatives?
The time spent with her brother’s family had awakened a deep longing within her—a longing for the warmth and stability of a home and family of her own. She realized that continuing down the path she had chosen might not allow her the opportunity to fulfill those dreams. The demands of her job, the constant travel, and the unpredictability of her schedule were not conducive to building the kind of life she had not considered she could have but now craved.
This moment of clarity left Viv feeling both vulnerable and hopeful. She blossomed to the possibility of change, of leaving her current frenetic life behind in search of something more fulfilling. She knew people appreciated her, but running and growing the family business was never going to hug her or give her a kiss goodnight or a family of her own. And as she considered this potential new direction, her thoughts inevitably turned to Red. There was no evidence that he was “future” material, at least not based on his past. But aren’t we all more than our pasts?
The connection she felt with Red was undeniable, and the thought of exploring a future together excited and terrified her. What was the security protocol for love? For preventing a broken heart? Although he made it clear he wanted them to explore their feelings too, they certainly weren’t at the place where they’d be making life commitments. Still, both of them wanting something more from each other seemed like more than half the battle at this point. They could be thinking about the future soon if things kept moving them in the right direction.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Over the next few weeks, Red found himself falling deeper for Viv. Their time together was filled with laughter, heartfelt conversations, and stolen kisses. The more he got to know her, the more he realized what an extraordinary woman she truly was. She was a force of nature. He marveled at how she’d survived six brothers and managed not just to hold her own but exceed all of their expectations. Her need to be resilient somehow never dampened her warmth, skewed her character, or quelled her laughter. In fact, Viv’s playful nature and quick wit kept him off his guard. He really didn’t know how to sweep her off her feet, so he reconciled himself to just being himself and letting things unfold. Viv’s spirited personality and her smile were an elixir to his soul. His world seemed to grow brighter and more vibrant with her light by his side.
One sunny afternoon, they took Lucky for a walk down Main Street. The sound of the dog’s nails clicking on the pavement blended harmoniously with the distant chatter of people going about their day. Red breathed in the crisp mountain air, noticing the faint scent of freshly baked goods wafting from the local bakery. Viv’s hand in his felt warm and comforting, and he stole a quick kiss from her as they walked.
They stopped at the cozy diner they had grown fond of during their time in town. Red held the door open for Viv, and they were greeted by the friendly smile of Maisey, who knew their order by heart and allowed dogs as long as they told her Lucky was an emotional support pet and promised he wouldn’t lift his leg on the booth. She knew he was just a mutt and a rescue, but she didn’t care. He was family, and family was always welcome at the diner.
They settled into their usual booth, contentment wrapped around him like a warm blanket. The buzz of conversation, the smell of sizzling bacon, and the warmth of Viv’s thigh pressed against his combined to create a comforting atmosphere that felt like home.
Over their usual hearty breakfast, they shared stories from their pasts, both the happy and the challenging. He listened intently as she spoke, marveling again at the humility with which her resilience and strength came through. He felt grateful that fate, no matter how unsettling, had brought them together.
After enjoying their usuals, they continued their stroll through town and found themselves at B’s Bakery. The sweet aroma of butter and sugar washed over them as they entered. Red looked down at Viv, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she surveyed the mouthwatering display of cookies, muffins, and brownies. They chose an assortment and sat at the table to share a brownie.
“Have you ever wished for anything?” Viv looked up at the board that was labeled The Wishing Wall.
“I’ve wished for many things in my life but nothing from here.”
“You should make a wish.” She took a pen from the hanging bin and a yellow sticky note.
Lucky yelped as if concurring with Viv. “What would I wish for? For the first time ever, I feel like I’ve got everything I need.”
“Do you? What about this brownie?”
