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“Stop!” Piper loosens her grip on her father’s hand and sinks back into mine. “He’s not that man, Dad. He made poor decisions, and he’s—”
“Piper, he's your mother’s age. He’s had a chance to make better decisions. Instead, he’s standing in my bedroom with my twenty-two-year-old daughter.”
“Dad, you literally have the same age gap with Mom, and look at you guys. You’re still happier than ever.” She pauses and leans against my chest. “I love him, and we’re doing this with or without your approval.”
Fucking hell.I’m guilty and proud all at once. I know how hard she’s struggled with this.
Levi looks away, staring out the window as he groans under his breath. I can’t imagine what the dude is struggling with right now. None of this is good.
When the room has been quiet for far too long, her mom steps in. “Maybe we should get together another day. I think we need some time to process all of this.”
Piper nods and we turn away. I want to say more but this isn’t my situation to control. Piper’s got this even if I know how difficult it is for her.
“No,” Levi’s voice echoes. “Romeo, do you remember me?”
My brows turn down. “I’m sorry. You mean from a few weekends ago? Yeah, I remember you.”
“I can’t believe the odds. Nearly thirty years ago, I’d just moved to town from Wyoming, and I was looking for work. I had my own checkered past and the only place that would help me get started again was the small farm on Old Fields Road. It was home to the kindest couple, and a teenager who worked like a dog every day. Back then, this boy was just called‘kid’by everyone. Seeing you now, I can tell the kid’s name is Romeo. I’ll be damned that I didn’t see the family resemblance until now.”
Piper glances toward me then her dad. “You’re the guy in the photo. We went to his grandparents’ farm today. They have a framed photo of Romeo in the orchard picking apples. There’s a guy on a ladder behind him making a goofy face. That’s you.”
“Probably so.” Her dad nods. “All the other kids would be fucking off in the hay loft while Romeo was working hard. Why’d you ever leave that place? I’m sure your grandparents would’ve kept you forever.”
I laugh under my breath. “Sure would’ve. If I could turn back time, that’s where I would’ve stayed. Trust me.”
“He can go back, Dad, but we need you to call the MC and make it happen.” She reaches out for her father again. “Please call them.”
Levi glances up at me. “You know you have a lot to prove, right?”
I nod with a heavy heart. “Yes, Sir, I do.”
“And I expect my daughter home every Sunday for dinner.”
“Dad, I’ll be here as much as I can.” Piper squeezes her father’s hand.
Her dad sighs and stares up toward me. “If you make me regret this, I’ll hurt you.” He clears his throat. “I might be old and laid up now, but bullets never get tired. Understood?”
I lean in to shake the man’s hand, and he grips me with unnecessary strength.
“I mean it. Don’t fuck this up.”
“I wouldn’t disappoint you, Sir, or my grandfather. Most importantly,” I turn toward the girl of my dreams, “I won’t disappoint Piper.”
There’re more words exchanged and I’m sure I should pay attention to all of them, but my heart and my gaze is stuck on the woman I fell in love with a year ago. The woman who has my heart. The woman who’s every dream I’m about to make come true… and nothing in the world has ever felt better.
Epilogue
Piper
Six Weeks Later
I’m on all fours staring out at the muddy bank of the swimming hole just south of the homestead. Lily pads and water lilies float on the surface and insects hum in the grasses nearby.
The plan was to fish. We’re having the MC over for a fish fry tonight. So far, we have gooseberries and a few apples we snagged off one of our new trees. That’s not exactly party fare.
Good news is that the orchard should be ready for the market in a few weeks. Romeo built me a custom table and sign to get started. They’re both reclaimed barn wood he’s painted white with our logo heat stamped into the center.
‘Second Chance Farm.’He thought of it late one night. The moment I heard it, I knew that was the name.
