I would. I knew I would.
“I love him,” I whispered. “I’min lovewith him.”
“You should tell him,” she said.
“His life is in Boston.”
“His heart is here.”
Those words made my own heart constrict. “You think so?”
“Oh, honey. Toby looks at you the same way you look at him.”
The words hurt, causing a physical wound in my chest. I wanted it—him—so badly that it hurt.
“Whatever happened this morning, you can fix it,” Mom said. “Take it from a woman who was happily married for a very long time. Love isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.”
I looked into her eyes, which were the same blue as mine. “You would be okay with me and Toby?”
“Me?” She scoffed. “I’m more than okay with it. I already love him like a son. He’s a kind and caring man. But what’s more is that he makes you happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, to be happy.”
The gravel in my throat made it hard to swallow, my vision a little blurred from the effort. With the rocks still lodged in my throat, I managed to speak something that was always heavy on my heart and mind. “What about Dad?”
“Oh, Archer. Have you been worried about this all these years?”
“Dad was very traditional. I’ve tried hard to make him proud.”
With a sound, she flung herself at me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and squeezing tight. She smelled like cinnamon and clove. Before pulling away, she patted my back. “Your father loved you. He loved you so much. You were the thing he was most proud of. Not this farm—you. And he would be proud. Heisproud. That much I can tell you with my whole heart.”
“Even if I love another man?”
“No matter who you love. It’s true your father was a traditional man, but he believed in the mistletoe just like the rest of the town. In the lesson the mistletoe teaches. Love unites us. It’s a gift and never something to view as toxic.”
“Really?”
She smiled. “Yes, really. And like me, your father saw the way you looked at Toby. He knew which way your heart leaned.”
“But he never said…”
“It wasn’t the right time. For him or for you. But it is now, and if he were here with us, he would tell you to follow your heart.”
I don’t think I realized just how much I needed to hear that. To know that both my parents would honor my choice.
Because Toby was my choice.
One my heart made long ago.
“I have to go,” I said suddenly, gazing around frantically for my keys. “I’m going to be late.”
“Does that mean I don’t need to call Brett?”
My boots scuffed against the floor when I turned back to scowl. “Mom.”
Her laughter filled the entire kitchen. “I’m glad you aren’t coming down with something after all.”
I scowled harder.
“Go on.” She shooed me out. “Go get your man.”
