We could be in business quickly. And it was way cheaper than anything we’d find in Austin, meaning our startup costs would be low. From a business perspective, the decision was a no-brainer. As to my heart, the way forward wasn’t as clear, but the possibility had planted a seed of hope. It was up to me to water that seed to see if it would sprout.
I went to bed that night and dreamed about fields of yellow wildflowers. When I woke the next morning, I wondered if it was a sign. If my subconscious had made a decision already. And whether I could trust that it was therightdecision.
It was on my mind while I was at my first prenatal appointment. A part of me was kicking myself for not letting Brian know aboutit, especially after I’d promised to keep him in the loop. But I knew he wouldn’t be able attend and the thought of him wishing me well or some other heartbreaking comment hurt more than I was prepared to handle.
The appointment went well. The obstetrician answered my questions and I even heard the baby’s heartbeat. Tears came to my eyes when I listened to thewump-wump-wumpof our child. I missed Brian so much and felt that he should have been there with me so strongly that I started crying. To try to cheer me up, the ultrasound technician said she’d email me the audio file, in case I wanted to share it with someone.
I drove back to Mel’s apartment thinking about Brian. By the time I reached the complex, I’d decided to call him. I was apprehensive about opening the possibility of my return, because what would our relationship be if it didn’t work out? I also knew that I had to try.
I parked and walked toward Mel’s door, past the small courtyard with a fountain and benches. I stopped short when I saw a tall figure in a Stetson standing by the fountain. Brian. Had I somehow conjured him?
When he spotted me, he strode toward me. I waited for him to take me in his arms. Instead, he stopped within touching distance. His stance was rigid and his shoulders tight. What had he come to say?
“What are you doing here?” My words were barely a whisper.
“I came to tell you that I resigned as sheriff,” he said. “I want to be close to you and our baby. So I hope your offer for us to be together here still stands.”
“You resigned?” I was genuinely shocked. Brian’s whole life revolved around being sheriff of Poplar Springs. He was willing to give it up for me?
“I did,” he said. “I love you so much that I don’t want anything to come between us. My job was, so I delivered my resignation letter to the mayor’s office yesterday morning and drove here, hoping that I’m not too late.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he went on.
“Before you say anything, I want to make you a promise. If you’ll take me back, I swear that I’ll always make you and the baby my first priority. I know now that you’re everything to me and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to convince you of that.”
His eyes searched my face. I could see hope in his expression, along with fear. I understood that mix of emotions because I’d felt the same until a few moments ago. His willingness to give up his job was all I needed to face down my old fears. Happiness, true and complete happiness, was right in front of me.
I couldn’t find words, so I grasped his shirt front and pulled him to me. The kiss we shared was the sweetest one of my life. Afterwards, I buried my face against his chest and just let him hold me for a moment. His hands stroked my back, and I could have stood like that forever, but I had my own things to say.
I led him to a shaded bench in the courtyard. “I’d been thinking about you and about us, too. I had made up my mind to call you today and tell you that I’m willing to move back to Poplar Springs so we can be together. I don’t want you to give up the job you love, but I want you to commit to taking some real time off every now and then and delegating responsibilities. When youmake a promise to me or the baby, you need to keep it. Can you do that?”
He seemed shocked at my statement. “Are you sure that’s all right with you? I don’t have to be sheriff. I don’t have to live in Poplar Springs. So long as we’re together, that’s all that matters.”
I smiled at that. “Yes, you do. Being sheriff is who you are, and Poplar Springs is where you belong. I don’t want you to change for me, because I love you the way you are.Mostly.”
His hands gripped mine. “I can talk to Sofia about taking more on. I’ve realized that it’s not good for the department to be so reliant on me. And I want to be able to walk out the door at the end of the day so I can spend time with you and our family without checking my phone every five minutes.” He leaned closer until our foreheads touched. “You are more important to me than anything else in the world.”
He kissed me again, and my world felt completely whole. I’d have him and our baby. I couldn’t ask for more.
“What about your parents?” he asked when we parted. His expression showed his concern.
“I’m going to learn to live near them,” I declared. I’d let my parents dictate and control so much of my life so far. I was no longer going to let them have power over me any longer. “If they’re willing to play nice, they can be part of their grandchild’s life. If not, it’s their loss.”
“You know I’ll support whatever you want to do about them,” he said, kissing me again, but he pulled back suddenly. “Wait, you can’t move home. What’ll you do about your business with Melody? I don’t want you to give that up.”
I smiled. “We’ve had a change in plans. What do you know about a storefront available in downtown Poplar Springs across from the station?”
“The old Heisler place,” he said instantly. Of course, he would know every inch of the town.
“That’s the one,” I said, remembering the florist shop that had been in that space when I was a kid. “Mel and I are looking at it for our business. What do you think?”
Before answering, he pulled me into his lap. “I think we’re going to have a beautiful life together.”
I couldn’t agree more. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him to me for a kiss that left us both breathless.
THIRTY-FIVE
BRIAN
