“That makes sense, I guess.” He’d suggested his mother sell their family house when his father passed, but she’d declined, claiming it was her home and she wasn’t going anywhere. “Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you, Tay.”

  He knew loving her meant letting her go… if that was best for her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Rush sat in the parking lot of his inn, parked next to the truck he’d given to Taylor, wondering if she’d ever drive it again. He spotted Ray sitting on a lawn chair by the water with his beloved dog sprawled out at his feet.

  After hopping out of the truck, Rush made his way down the grassy hill, stopping to take in a lungful of the crisp, post-rain air as he stared at the lake he loved. He understood Taylor’s attachment to Brock. He felt the same way about Vista Falls. So how could he expect her to leave the place where her heart belonged to start a new life here with him?

  “Hey,” Ray said, looking over his shoulder. “I thought I heard someone. You just get back?”

  “Yeah.” He sank down beside Ray, running a thumb over a raised piece of wood on the armrest.

  “How’d it go?”

  “There were lots of tears, hugs, laughter, smiles.” He thought of the rainbow of balloons being released into the clear blue sky and questioned whether he’d ever seen a more poignant sight. “I think it was good for Taylor. I won’t say it provided closure because I’m not sure she’ll ever have that, but maybe it was another step toward healing.”

  Ray leaned over and picked up a stick. He tossed it for the small dog, who made a beeline for it, looking ecstatic just to be free of that god-awful cone. “Where is Taylor now?”

  “She decided to stay in Brock. She thought it was time for her to sell the house she shared with her husband and kids.”

  Ray threaded his fingers over his paunch. “Sounds like a step forward to me.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.” Rush removed his ball cap and threaded his hand through his hair before replacing it. “She asked me to find another waitress, which makes me think she’s not planning to come back.”

  “Did she tell you that?” Ray asked, looking at him out of the corner of his eye.

  He nodded. “She said Brock was her home. She missed being there and thought she left for the wrong reasons… because she was running away from the memories.”

  “I can understand that,” Ray said, shaking his head. “Sometimes running from the pain that’s chasing you feels like the only way to survive it.”

  Rush was glad he had someone like Ray around, who could relate to Taylor and her experience. “I get the feeling she’s tired of running. Now she’s ready to face it.”

  He smiled. “That’s good. Real good.”

  “Is it?” Rush felt selfish for even asking, but he knew Ray wouldn’t judge him. “But what if she doesn’t want to come back here and decides Brock is where she needs to be?”

  “It’s not like it’s on the other side of the world, son. You could still see each other a couple of times a week, right?”

  “Yeah, but that’s a short-term solution.” He was thinking about the future and the life he eventually wanted to build with her. Right here on the land he loved. “You can’t be married to someone and live in two different places. Well, I guess you could. People do it, but that’s not the kind of life I want.”

  “But you do want a life with this girl?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Then you just have to be patient, wait it out. Let her decide what she wants. When she does, she’ll come to you.”

  That was his only option, but Rush hated the thought of sitting around doing nothing while the only woman he’d ever loved may be planning a life that didn’t include him. “And if she doesn’t?”

  He winced. “This is going to sound cliché as all hell, but it’s the truth. If she doesn’t come back, it wasn’t meant to be, Rush.”

  “But everything in me tells she’s the one.”

  “Then she’ll still be the one a few months from now, won’t she?”

  ***

  As her mother had predicted, Taylor had an offer on the house within days. A nice young couple she’d known for years bought it. In fact, she’d babysat for the groom-to-be when she was a teen. His parents owned a neighboring farm, and he and his bride were anxious to have a place to call home when they returned from their Caribbean honeymoon in a few weeks.

  “How’s the packing coming?” Her mother walked in, several empty boxes in hand. “Dad picked these up at the grocery store. He thought you could use a few more for your books.”

  “Thanks,” Taylor said, feeling fatigue settling in. She’d been working practically around the clock for days, and it was catching up to her. “You can just set them down by the bookcase.”

  “Do you want me to come with you to see the condo?” her mother asked, sitting on an ottoman in front of Trevor’s favorite armchair.

  “Sure. Maybe we can grab some lunch after the appointment.”

  Taylor wasn’t sure about buying a condo in Brock, but she’d agreed to have a look at it to satisfy her curiosity. She felt she’d know, intuitively, whether it felt like home.

  “It’s great that the kids wanted to buy the house with all the furniture, isn’t it?” her mother said, stacking some books into one of the empty boxes. “It’ll save you from having to sell or donate it. Most of this stuff would be too big for a condo anyhow. You’d want some small-scale furniture I think, something like—”

  “Mom, don’t get ahead of yourself.” She sighed. “I haven’t even decided whether I’m going to make an offer on the condo. I’m just going to look, remember?”

  “Right,” she said, dipping her head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

  “It’s okay. I know you’re just concerned about me. You want to see me settled.”

  “How did Rush take it when you told him you intended to stay on here?”

  “He understood.” Or at least he’d pretended to. Taylor could tell when she kissed him good-bye that he’d left with a million questions, namely when or if she’d be back.

  “He really does seem like a great guy. I’m sure it won’t be easy for you to leave him. But you know there are plenty of wonderful young men right here. It won’t be hard for you to find someone.”

  Taylor sat on the sofa where she used to nurse her children and ran a hand over the soft fabric as those sweet memories brought a fresh wave of tears to her eyes. “I wasn’t looking for someone like Rush. I didn’t even think it was possible for me to fall in love again, but I guess God knew better than I did.”

  “You think meeting Rush was divine intervention?” she asked, wrapping her hands around a series of Mark Twain books. “That it was meant to be?”

  Taylor rested her chin on her hands as she stared at her mother. “Yes, I do.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “What?” Taylor asked, knowing there was more to her mother’s thoughtful expression than she let on. “What are you thinking?”

  “Just that fate is a powerful thing. Trying to ignore it can lead to all kinds of heartache, in my experience. And you, my sweet girl, have had to deal with more of that than anyone should have to.”

  “What are you saying?” she asked. “That I belong in Vista Falls with Rush, not here?”

  “That’s not for me to say. Only you can decide that, honey.” She stood, setting the books in the box. “Well, I’m going to freshen up for our appointment. I’ll meet you up at the house.”

  As she watched her mother leave, Taylor felt split in two. A part of her wanted to stay here, with the people she knew and loved, but the other part of her wanted to be in Vista Falls with the people who’d welcomed her when she needed them. Not to mention the man who had introduced her to a whole new world of possibilities…

  ***

  Taylor walked from one tiny room to another, trying to picture her life in this space. She’d miss the wide open spaces and sounds of roosters waking her. But this place would be more practical. No lawns to cut, flowers to water, or snow to shovel.

  “So what do you think, Taylor?” her mother asked, giving her a one-armed hug. “Could you see yourself living here?”

  “I’m not sure,” she said, looking out the large living room window overlooking the park.

  “You could do so much with it,” her mother’s friend and realtor, Maria, said, clutching the folder containing the paperwork that could change Taylor’s life. “I know it doesn’t look like much now, but wait ‘til I show you the model suite. That’ll give you a much better sense of the space.” She smiled. “And you wouldn’t even need a car. The school’s just down the street. So’s the grocery store and—”

  “Maria,” Sue interjected, “could I have a minute alone with my daughter?”

  “Oh, of course. I’ll meet you down at the model suite. It’s 103, whenever you’re ready.” She held up the folder. “I have the documents right here, so we just have to fill them in and sign.”

  “Thank you,” Taylor said, feeling a tightness in her chest that felt like anxiety. Was she making a huge mistake? “We won’t be too long.”

  Sue waited until her friend left and closed the door before she said, “You don’t have to do anything, Taylor. If you’re not sure about this, there’s no harm in waiting. You can stay with me and Dad until you decide what to do.”

  She watched two preschoolers playing on the swings. “I think I’ll miss teaching.”

  Touching Taylor’s shoulder gently as she stepped up beside her, her mother said, “Of course you will. That’s all you’ve ever wanted to do since you were a little girl.”

  “There’s an opportunity for me to teach in Vista Falls.” She hadn’t even realized she’d been seriously considering that offer until she heard it aloud.

  “Oh? You’ve looked into it?”

  “I heard about it through a few friends.”

  “Then you have made friends there? I’m not surprised. You always did make friends so easily.”

  “I’d miss my friends here… if I moved there.”

  “But if you stayed here, you’d miss Rush.”

  “True.”

  Her mother gripped Taylor’s shoulders, turning her to face her. “We’re always going to be here for you, you know that, don’t you? Your friends, me, your dad, your grandparents. We’re not going anywhere. Anytime you want to come visit us, just hop in your car.”

  “Truck.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Rush gave me a truck. Actually, it was his brother’s truck. Wes gave it to him, but he didn’t need it and I did. So he gave it to me.”

  “He gave you a truck?” Her lips twisted in a wry smile. “My, back in my day, a man used to give the woman he wanted to marry a ring. Times have changed.”

  The M word ratcheted up Taylor’s anxiety a few more notches. “We haven’t… I mean, we’re not… that is, I’m not sure if I can marry him.”

  Her mother sat on a small bench seat built into the bay window, patting the seat cushion beside her until Taylor sat down too. “What are you afraid of?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Her fears may seem illogical, but that didn’t make them any less real. “I had it all once, and it was taken away from me. What if that happens again?” Before her mother could respond, she said, “It may not happen in the same way, but it could happen. What if I do marry Rush, we have a couple of kids, and he decides he’s not cut out to be a family man? He could leave us. He could fight me for custody and take my babies…” She dropped her face in her hands as she imagined that scenario playing out.

  “Oh, baby.” Settling her arm around her daughter’s shoulders, Sue said, “You can’t go through life imagining the worst-case scenario. You know that’s not you. Before this happened, you were the most positive person I knew. Please don’t let that horrible accident steal your spirit.”

  Could she really afford to go through life wearing rose-colored glasses after being knocked to her knees once already? “I can’t help but consider all the possibilities. There are no guarantees in this life. No one knows that better than I do.”

  “You’re right.” Her mother nodded. “Your father could pick up and leave me tomorrow. He could fall for that cute little twenty-something waitress who serves him at the diner. She’s always smiling and winking at him. At first, I thought she was just being friendly, you know, trying to get a bigger tip. But now I’m not so sure. Maybe he’s tired of me. Thirty-five years of marriage, maybe he’s on his way out.” Looking horrified, she asked, “God, what am I going to do? I know, I’ll leave him before he can leave me.” She jumped up. “That’s what I’ll do. I’ll go home and pack and—”

  Taylor bust out laughing, realizing that she had sounded as absurd as her mother did now. “Okay, I get your point. I should give Rush the benefit of the doubt and assume that when he says he loves me and wants to build a life with me, he means it?”

  Sue crouched in front of her daughter, gripping her knees. “The way I see it, you have two choices. You could go through life being scared and distrustful, fearing the worst. Or you could embrace the possibility of a new love and be grateful that you found another incredible man who loves you and wants to make you happy.”

  Taylor leaned in to kiss her mother’s cheek. “You’re right, Mom. Thank you.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rush was at his brother’s house, trying to make small talk with their guests while his mind kept wandering to Taylor. He wanted her there with him, but he had no way of knowing whether that would ever happen.

  They’d had a few brief phone conservations in the two weeks since he’d left her in Brock, but he still didn’t know what her plans were. She’d told him that she’d sold and packed up her house, gone to look at condos, had lunch with her former boss, and caught up with old friends. But the real question went unanswered… Are you coming back to me?

  “Hey,” Wes said, slapping him on the back. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, sure. Great party.”

  Wes and Sage were hosting a birthday party for Nick, who’d just turned fifteen. They’d invited some of his friends from Brock as well as friends he’d made in Vista Falls, his adoptive mother, stepfather, and grandparents. Rush was doing his best to play the dutiful uncle, but it wasn’t easy when his mind was somewhere else… with someone else.

  “Nick seems to be having a good time,” Rush said, trying to get his head back in the game.

  “Yeah, he does. But it’s not Nick I’m worried about right now,” Wes said, reaching for a couple of the appetizers Sage had prepared. “It’s you.”

  “Don’t waste your time worrying about me, man. I’m fine.”

  “Liar.”

  Rush shook his head with a smirk. Only his older brother still called him out for lying. “Fine, I’m not okay. Happy now?”

  “No, I’m not happy. And I won’t be until I know you are.”

  “Man, I’m serious. You can’t worry about me. You’ve got everything you’ve ever wanted,” he said, gesturing to Sage and Nick, who stood in two separate groups by the pool. “Just be grateful, okay?”

  “Have you heard from her?”

  Trying to play dumb was pointless. There was only one person Wes could be talking about. “Yeah, sure. We’ve kept in touch. She’s good.”

  “Has she told you what her plans are?”

  “Nope.” Rush grabbed a handful of peanuts and popped one after another into his mouth.

  “Have you asked her?”

  “Nope.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  Because I’m scared! “I’m sure she’ll tell me when she’s ready. In the meantime, I don’t want to put any pressure on her.”

  “Big mistake,” Wes said, shaking his head.

  “Why is that a mistake?” Rush asked, glancing at him.

  “She’s probably questioning whether you even want her back.”

  “Don’t be an idiot. Of course I want her back.”

  “Oh, so you’ve told her that?” Wes quirked an eyebrow. When Rush frowned, he said, “That’s what I thought. You are such a dumbass sometimes. Do you expect the girl to read your mind? If you want her back, you’ve got to tell her how you feel.”

  “Don’t lecture me,” Rush said, suddenly feeling defensive… and kind of stupid. “You’ve loved Sage all your life and look at all the years you lost because you were too stubborn to—”

  “My point exactly.” Wes tipped back his beer can. “I don’t want to see you make the same mistakes I’ve made, little brother.”

  “Yeah, but this is different. Given what Taylor’s been through, I can’t put any pressure on her. I’ve got to let her come to me when, and if, she’s ready.”

  Wes grinned, inclining his head. “I’d say she’s ready.”

  Rush turned and spotted Taylor standing by the door. He was sure his eyes bugged out as he asked Wes, “Why didn’t you tell me she was coming?”

  “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

  “You’re such an ass,” Rush muttered. “You knew I was going out of my mind missing her. You couldn’t have told me that—”

  “Would you quit your whining and get over there?”

  “Right.”

  Rush weaved through the crowd, smiling politely as he muttered “Excuse me,” every few seconds.

  When he finally reached her, Taylor smiled sweetly and said, “Hi.”

  “Hi yourself.” He dragged her into his arms and could have sworn her heart was beating as fast as his. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

  “Wes suggested I surprise you.” She grinned, curling her hands around his biceps as she tipped her head back to look at him. “Are you surprised?”

  “I’m blown away.” He kissed her without thinking about whether that was even appropriate. For all he knew, she was there to say her final good-byes face-to-face. “Sorry,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “Couldn’t help myself.”