I reach over and lace fingers with my One. “I think you’re right,” I reply as Sutton glances over at me and shoots me a sexy smile that I feel from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
“I'd been worried about you for a while now.”
That’s news to me. “You were?”
“Of course. I know what it’s like to pour everythin’ into your career. To make it your life rather than riskin’ puttin' yourself out there. You were headin’ on a one-way street to burnout without knowin’ it. You were livin’ to work, not workin’ to live.”He’s not wrong.
“Then you called and offered me a way to take a break and reevaluate things,” I say.
“You bet I did, and I’d do it all over again. You’re the only person I would ever trust to take my place. You’re the best damn doctor and humanbein’ I know, Blair.”
“Stop! You’re going to make me cry,” I say, my voice a little shaky.
He laughs. “Wouldn’t be the first time, probably won’t be the last. You cried when your first potato plant didn’t produce, remember that? You were diggin’ so deep we were worried you weren’t goin’ to stop.”
“I wasfive!”
“You’re still just as stubborn and as determined now. Anyway, stop gettin’ me off track. I’m tryin’ to tell you that Iwasworried, but I’m not now. I haven’t had a lick of concern since you’ve been up at Cooper Ranch. That says it all, don’t you think?”
Something occurs to me. “Did you know I was meant to be Sutton’s?”
“Nope,” he says emphatically. “I knew you’d fit in with the Coopers and that whatever you needed, they’d be able to give it to you. I’m not at all disappointed that you hooked yourself a good man like Sutton, though. He’s one of the few in town I’d say are worthy of you,” he states.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“What are you thankin’ me for, Blair bear? The way I see it, we’ve both got what we’ve always wanted.”
“He’s the best thing I never saw coming,” I tell him honestly, not missing the hitch in Sutton’s breath at my words.
When Uncle George speaks again, his voice is thick. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. At the end of your days, I don’t want you lookin’ back and thinkin’ about what you missed out on. You need to be able to cherish the mark you left on this world as well as the life you’ve created for yourself along the way.” He falls quiet, as if he’s letting his words sink in. “I’m pushin’ sixty and all I’ve got to show for it are grey hair, wrinkles, and a medical degree. I couldn’t live with myself if I stood back and let you become like me.”
“You’ve got Tabitha now,” I say.
“Yeah, and that’s what has made my time in Timber Falls worth it. Having this break has proven that life is too damn short not to take chances,” he says. “Trust me when I tell you that this will be the best chance you ever take.”
“On love?”
“Oh yeah. The way I see it, the mountain spirit there has given you the opportunity to have your twobiggestloves at the same time. You get to help people and share a life with a good man who will give you the world if you let him…”
A wry smile curves my lips. “I’m starting to think the mountain spirit might’ve had a little help…”
The answering chuckle in my ear tells me everything I need to know. “Even the mountain needs help with her projects every now and then. I was just playin’ my part.”
“Thank you, Uncle George.”
“Anythin’ for you, Blair bear.”
A few days later, having met with Tabitha and ironed out all of the details, I find myself in the cabin with some free time before Sutton arrives for dinner.
Knowing there are two very important people that still need a well overdue life update from me, I set myself up on the couch with my tablet and video call my best friends.
They answer moments later, and I’m surprised to find them both sitting in my old living room surrounded by packing boxes.
“Hi,” Alex says. “Long time no see.”
“We were texting just yesterday,” I reply.
She rolls her eyes. “I saidsee, which is a lot different from messaging. Bein’ in love looks good on you, by the way.”
