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Confused, I looked too, wondering what was upsetting him again when he said, “I designed this place. It took me four years to build because I kept changing things. I drove my brothers crazy. They said I was obsessed with this place. None of them understood. I didn’t either.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I broke ground on this place shortly after my wife died. I needed something to keep me busy. It was either that or lose my mind. My brothers were supportive, but eventually even they washed their hands of me. Scribe accused me of being obsessed. Maybe he was right, but I had to finish it.”
Looking at the large home, I smiled. “It’s beautiful, but I still don’t understand. Do you live here?”
“No. I own it, but I don’t live in it. There is a small trailer around back that I live in.”
I was even more confused now.
“Why don’t you live in it?”
“Because it’s not mine.”
“Huh?”
“It’s yours.”
“Mine?” I asked, facing him, confused. “How is that possible? We didn’t know each other four years ago.”
“After her death, I struggled to find joy in anything, sinking deeper into a state of depression. There is no other way to describe it. My brothers thought it would be good for me to get away for a while. To leave Rosewood and just travel. You know, broadening my horizons and all. Anyway, I took their advice and spent time in Ireland. I loved it there. The history, the people, the architecture, everything. But what I really enjoyed was the historical culture of the place. I learned a lot about my heritage while I was there. Shit Idon’t think my dad even knew. Anyway, when I returned home, that’s when I broke ground on this place. I wanted to remember my time in Ireland.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. But I still don’t understand why you think this house is mine?”
“I’m getting there. When I was in Ireland, I spent a lot of time visiting churches. I don’t know why. I’ve never been a religious person. However, what really grabbed my attention was a symbol that always seemed to call to me. Every church I visited had this symbol.”
“What symbol?”
“The Trinity Knot. It’s a knot with no beginning and no ending. I’m sure you saw it when we pulled up to the front of the house. How it’s in a triangle.”
“Yes, I did. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s not just a triangle, Skylar, it’s the trinity knot. The house’s layout mirrors the intricate interlocking of a trinity knot, giving it a sense of harmony and balance. There are three sections converging to the main living area. When I designed this place, I didn’t realize what I was creating. I still don’t understand it myself.”
“It a beautiful home, Chase, that is for sure, but how does that make it mine?”
“Because of your name.”
“My name?”
“I didn’t put it all together until I showed up back in Juniper Hollow. Your name, this house, the symbol that’s tattooed across my heart,” he said, unbuttoning his shirt to show me the tattoo. “This was the first tattoo I got when I turned sixteen. My brothers thought I was stupid for getting it, that I should have gotten something more manly as they said. Hell,Skylar, the Trinity Knot is the symbol for Montclair Construction. People think I chose it because the company is owned by me, King and Gunner. My whole life, I’ve been drawn to the symbol but never knew why. Until I met you.”
“Chase, I still don’t understand.”
“Skylar, your name means eternal life. The Trinity Knot is a Celtic symbol for eternal life. I don’t understand it myself and I probably sound like a crazy person, but I think I’ve been waiting for you for as long as I can remember. I’ve never believed in fate, the one true love stuff, and maybe I’m wrong, but I’ve never felt for anyone what I feel for you and that scares me. Because if something were to happen to you, I don’t think I would survive it. So, I pushed you away. Tried to distance myself from you.”
“You were trying to protect your heart from further heartbreak.”
“Yes, and I am truly sorry for how I treated you.”
“And when you claimed me?”
“Seeing Hiller look at you, knowing he hurt you, hit you, something inside me snapped. I knew you were safer with me. That I was the only one who could protect you, love you like you deserved. I wanted to kill him that day in Beth’s coffee shop. And I would have if Mike and the others hadn’t stopped me. But Skylar, when Brian said those things at dinner, when he threatened your life, I wasn’t defending Ellie. I was defending you.”
My breath hitched as I realized for the first time since I knew him, he said his wife’s name.
He finally said... Ellie.
