“If I could do it all over, I would. For starters, I’d make sure you never felt alone in any of this. Asking you to keep this from everyone was wrong,” he admits, trying to steady the emotion creeping into his voice. “I thought that if fewer people knew about your mom, I’d be spared the constant questions and conversations that would force me to face it head-on. I was a selfish bastard. There’s no other way to put it,” he states solemnly. “You deserved your friends’ support from day one, and I’m sorry I took that from you.”
When navigating a rapidly progressing disease, there’s no manual for how to grieve—no reset button for mistakes made, words misspoken, or moments when emotion overtakes reason. The only way to deal with the unimaginable is to lean on each other, offering compassion, patience, and unwavering love—and it begins with letting go of the hurt and resentment I’ve been holding on to.
I meet his apologetic gaze. “I forgive you, Dad.”
A few months ago, I might not have been ready to see things from his perspective. But now, with Walker in my life, I can’t fathom the pain of watching him—the person who’s supposed to be by my side through it all—slowly fade, while being powerless to stop it. I understand now why Dad immersed himself in work—it was the only part of his life he still had control over. Sure, he could have done things differently, but he was put in an impossible situation with no easy choices. Regardless of what’s happened in the past, what matters now is that we move forward together as a family.
“It’s not too late to make new memories and treasure the time you have left with Mama,” I add, echoing Walker’s earlier advice.
Dad nods slowly. “I see that now, and I’m finished living with regret. These past few days, I’ve done a lot of thinking about how to fix things… and I’ve decided to retire.”
I stare at him, stunned. “Wait… you’re stepping down as sheriff?”
His job has been his identity for as long as I can remember, and the thought of him willingly walking away is hard to wrap my mind around.
“Yeah, I am.” He shifts in his seat, swallowing hard. “I can’t rewrite the past, but I can make sure I show up for your mother from now on. She deserves nothing less. Whatever time she has left will be filled with love, laughter, and dancing again.” He shuts his eyes briefly, a wistful smile on his face. “I’ve drifted in a fog of grief for far too long, and I’m ready to live again—for your mother and for you.”
Tears trickle down my cheeks, and I brush them away with the back of my hand. It seems Dad and I are both ready to let go of past regrets and disappointments, eager to start a new chapter. All I’ve ever wanted is for our family to find a way forward, free from the figurative distance that’s kept us apart all these years, and I can hardly believe it’s really happening.
I throw my arms around his neck, and he lets out a low grunt before returning the embrace.
“Thank you. Whatever comes next, I know we’ll be alright because we have each other.”
“We can get through anything as a family,” he murmurs in agreement as he wipes away a stray tear from my face. “Though I reckon Walker will be relieved to have more time with you. That man has more than proved he’s worthy of your heart.”
I smile. “I couldn’t be luckier.”
Walker has become my North Star, constant and guiding when everything else has felt uncertain. He stood by me long before I knew the meaning of unwavering devotion. I’ve never been more certain that he’smyperson—the one I want to wake up next to every morning, drift asleep curled in his arms each night, and grow old and gray with.
I’ve fallen for him, utterly and completely, and I can’t wait another day to tell him exactly what he means to me.
Until I Found You
I’ve been counting down the hours until I can see Birdie again. Her mom was discharged from the hospital this afternoon, and though I offered to take the day off from the ranch to help out, she insisted they had it handled.
We planned to meet back at her place once I finished work, but I took off early so I could get here first, prep dinner, and feed the animals before she arrived. After spending a week caring for her mom, I wanted her to have a relaxing evening, being pampered and taken care of for a change.
I’ve just finished rounding up the geese and ducks into their coop for the night when I glance across the lawn and see Birdie striding toward me. Her hair is pulled into a messy braid, wispsescaping to frame her face, and the fading light skims across her features. God she’s stunning.
“Howdy there, Birdie, baby,” I call out.
She waves, her vivid blue eyes locking on me like nothing else exists. There’s no better feeling in the world.
I lower the bucket of scratch grain to the grass and barely have time to straighten up before she reaches me, slipping her arms around my waist. I return her embrace, resting my hand on her back to draw her closer.
She tips her head to look up at me. “You were supposed to wait so I could help you with the animals.”
“I wanted to finish before you got here so I could have you all to myself tonight. Can’t say I feel too bad about it now that I have you in my arms.” I cup the back of her neck, brushing my thumb just below her ear. “I missed you, baby.”
Birdie gives me a quick kiss before pulling back slightly. “I missed you too.”
“How’s your mom holding up?”
“She’s settled in for the evening and roped Dad into watching the first season ofGilmore Girls, so it should be a good night.” She chuckles.
“What do you say we head inside? I picked up the ingredients for a veggie stir-fry and figured I’d handle dinner while you enjoyed a nice, long bubble bath. You deserve a night to unwind and relax.”
“That sounds nice,” she murmurs, although there’s something in her tone that gives me pause.
