“Only completely and utterly,” I say. I think I’d forgive the beautiful, gracious, sweet man in front of me anything. Absolutely anything. “As long as you don’t do it again.”
“Never.” His words burrow into my heart and tattoo themselves deep in my chest.
A horn blares out of nowhere, and I’m brought back to the reality that we’re reconciling in the middle of a road. There’s the bus on its way back up the mountain. I’m blocking its path.
“Back to Wilde’s Farm,” I say as he releases me. “Be careful,” I add. “The roads are slippery.” I want to keep him close to me. He doesn’t know these roads like I do.
“I’ll be fine,” he says as I get back into my car. “U-turn here and follow me back.”
“I’ll follow you anywhere, Jack Alden,” I call after him.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Jack
The last thing I want to do is see my mother right now, but Iris’s asked me to speak to her, and I’ll do anything for Iris, so we’ve come back to the house. As we head up the porch steps, I take her hand. I can’t get close enough to her.
“Jack!”
I hear my mother’s voice before I see her. I scan the room and see her standing at the kitchen table, a tissue in her hand. She brings it to her face and stifles a sob. “I thought something had happened to you.” She shakes her head. “I would have never forgiven myself.”
Iris slides her hand from mine and sweeps it across my back. “I’m going to make hot chocolate for everyone.”
I just want to go up to the Colorado Club and get Iris naked, eat with her, drink with her, watch the valley and the town of Star Falls from halfway up the mountain with her.
The last thing I want to do is have hot chocolate with my mother.
But if that’s what Iris wants, then that’s what I’ll do. I want to make her happy, and I’m going to spend a lifetime making up for the fact I ever walked away from her.
“Mother,” I say on a nod.
My mother steps toward me and pauses before patting me on the shoulder. It’s the closest she’s come to hugging me in years.
“I’m so relieved you’re okay,” she says, squeezing my hand.
It’s comforting and uncomfortable at the same time. I don’t know what to think. “I’m fine, Mother.”
She frowns and takes a step back. “I’m so very sorry for pushing you about the December engagement.”
“And the June wedding with someone I don’t love?”
“I just wanted it to be easier for you,” she says on a sigh, but I don’t quite know what she means. “And Iris.”
“Iris and I are together now,” I say. “That’s not going to change.” I spot Iris’s smile from where she’s pouring milk into a pan.
“I understand,” she says.
I’m not sure she does. But she needs to get on board because I’m going to make it work with Iris. If she’s serious about no longer working on the farm, then maybe she’ll be free to come to New York.
“I’m going to marry her, Mother,” I say under my breath.
I glance up at Iris. I’m not sure if she heard me, but I swear her cheeks have flushed the most gorgeous shade of pink.
My mother nods. “Yes. And I know you don’t need it, but the two of you have my blessing.”
I freeze in shock at her words. Did I mishear her?
“You probably don’t believe me.” She sits on one of the farmhouse chairs around the dining table.
