forty-four
AIDEN
On the screenin my office, my dad takes off his hat and rubs his head the way he always does—did—before delivering hard news.
“I know you’re probably mad at me about the wholeyou have to get married to get all of your inheritancebit, but I didn’t come to that decision lightly. I chose that stipulation with your best interest at heart. I hope you never have to watch this. I’m just a paranoid old man who wants to be prepared, but I have some things I need to say to you.”
My heart clenches, and my throat goes tight.
Staring at him—his voice, his mannerisms—I realize how much I’ve missed all of it. I’ve avoided photos and home movies, so frozen in my grief, there hasn’t been room for anything else to get through.
“This farm has been everything to your mom and me. Your great-grandparents bought this place, and my parents continued to build on it. We involved you kids from the minute you couldwalk. Maybe that was too much, but I hope you saw the joys in it as we did.”
I wonder if I ever told him how much I love it here—or if I only ever complained about what it cost me. You can’t know what you don’t know, but I wish I could shake the younger version of myself. Look myself in the eye and say: “Hold tight to all of this. One day, they won’t be here.”
Dad continues.“Lord knows we tried to make memories with you lot—maybe you just thought we were mean and made you work all the time.” He chuckles, a sound that wraps around me like a warm blanket. “If I know you, you’ll work yourself to the bone to make sure the farm succeeds. And you’ll stay so busy you’ll forget there’s more to life than the farm.”
He’s right, I did.
But I’m also seeing how to layer my love for the farm with my love for people. Experiences. I think that’s what my parentstriedto show me, but I was so angry about losing them both so suddenly, I couldn’t find it again.
It’s like they’d taken the map with them, and then Chloe brought an alternate version when she showed up.
“Aiden, partnership is what built this farm. Every version that has ever existed is because the Wheeler men had someone to stand beside them. I had your mom. Working with me, putting in the hours—physically and emotionally. Running the farm is hard work, and it’s not always good days. I know you know that.”
Boy, do I.
I drop my elbows to the desk, his words landing heavier than he knows. Some days, I wonder if all this hard work is worth it. Especially when I can barely stay away to read with Phoebe, then pour attention into Chloe.
I know she doesn’t expect it, but she deserves it. I want to give her that.
“Your mom gave me the strength to push through on days I couldn’t have done it alone. Youneeda partner in life. I know your siblings are there for you, just like you are for them, but you need your own family. Now”—his mouth goes into a tired line—“I’m man enough to admit when I make mistakes. And I made a big one.”
I rub my palms down my jeans, leg bouncing as I wait for the rest.
“You brought a lovely girl home once. Yes, you two were young. I saw something that scared me, and made a rash judgment. Son, I gave you bad advice about Chloe, and I need you to know I was wrong.”
My stomach drops straight through the floor.
“Just because I wouldn’t know how to do long-distance doesn’t mean you two couldn’t make it work. I’m so sorry.”
I pause the video, breath trapped in my chest. I didn’t know how badly I needed those words. I’ll always wish we’d said them face-to-face, but hearing them now still loosens something that’s been knotted a long time.
I don’t even know where this video came from. I don’t remember putting it in the safe. I opened it to find the ring I bought for Chloe a decade ago. I’d come looking for it because I want to mark what we’re building now.
Farm or no farm, I choose her. I want forever with her.
I hit play.
“You’re too bullheaded to go find a wife on your own, so I made a plan to force you to do it. If you want the money, anyway. Maybe you don’t.” He shrugs. “But to grow the farm to match the dreams I know you’ve got parading around up here,” he taps his temple and winks, “you need the money.”
Smart-aleck old man.
I shake my head, smiling despite myself. He always knew me better than I knew myself, a trait he passed to my siblings as well.
“But I realized that won’t cut it in this modern world. Too old-fashioned. I went to the lawyers and had them remove that clause.”
I shove to my feet, leaning closer to the screen as disbelief punches through me.
