Page 64 of Your Love

Sash’s voice is filled with a mix of emotion—relief, nostalgia, and joy all rolled into one. “It’s been a wild ride, for sure,” she says. “But we’re still here, and I’m so happy to have my best friends closer again.”

I reach across the table and gently place my hand on top of hers. Her grip tightens as we share a moment of unspoken understanding. “Me too,” I say softly, my own eyes brimming with tears.

As if on cue, the bell above the diner door chimes behind me. We both turn our heads slightly, but I don’t bother to face the entrance fully. However, I can see the shock and surprise in both of their expressions from where I sit.

They quickly try to mask their reactions, but Sash’s scowl lingers for just a little too long before she regains her composure, causing me to glance over my shoulder in curiosity.

As Ivy’s voice trails off, I turn to see what has caught their attention. My heart sinks as I take in the sight before me. Landry is here, and he’s not alone. Walking beside him is a stunning brunette, tall and graceful with perfect features. Their fingers are entwined, and my throat tightens as I try to swallow down the lump that has formed. Part of me wants to look away, but I can’t seem to tear my gaze from them.

“Should we go say hello?” Ivy asks, breaking the silence. “He’s our friend, after all.”

“I’d rather stay over here and not punch her in the tit,” Sash says with a bitter laugh.

“Do you know her?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I know of her,” Sascha replies icily. “She was a year behind us in school. Always acting like she was better than this town because her family has money.”

All I can do is watch as they make their way toward the hostess, wondering if they’ll notice me sitting here. I hope not. I’d rather become invisible at this moment.

I swallow through the lump in my throat. “How long have they been together?”

After a moment, Ivy’s voice breaks the silence. “Almost a year now,” she says with a somber tone.

My heart tightens inside my chest, but I manage to keep my composure and say, “He seems happy with her.”

“It’s not right,” Sascha interjects. “She’s not the right person for him. He’ll figure it out soon enough.”

“Well, I wasn’t the right one either,” I say with a hint of bitterness. “I’d like to leave now.” The tears that threaten to escape are barely kept at bay.

“Of course. Let’s go,” Ivy agrees, her voice full of sympathy. With heavy hearts, we gather our things and prepare to leave. Before we do, I steal one last glance in their direction. Landry meets my gaze, and there is regret and sadness behind his eyes, but also anger simmering just beneath the surface. Knowing there may be nothing I can do to make it go away breaks my heart even more.

Chapter 29

“All These Things I’ve Done”

Landry- Age 23, 1993

Lauren straddles me and gazes into my eyes with concern. Her thumb traces the curve of my eyebrow. “What’s got you worried?” she asks softly.

“I’m fine,” I assure her.

“No. Your eyebrows have been scrunched together in a deep frown, and you’ve been grinding your back teeth since you picked me up tonight. What’s going on?”

She senses the answer, but I refuse to admit it to her or even to myself. Seeing Kerri after all these years has thrown me off balance. I had imagined that moment countless times, hoping that I would be able to handle it with grace and kindness. But when she walked into that barn and demanded a conversation, all of my rehearsed scenarios went out the window.

She was the one who left—the one who ended everything between us. And while I tried to understand her reasons, she has no right to come back here and make demands of me. I’ve moved on, which is what she told me to do.

Lauren leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips before trailing down to my neck. “Don’t let anything bother you, Landry,” she whispers against my skin. “You’re in such a better place now. Imagine what your future holds. You could take over my dad’s company someday.”

My head instinctively leans back, out of reach from her lips. Confusion clouds my mind as I ask, “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” she hesitantly begins. “We’ve been together for a while now, and we love each other. It makes sense that we should be married. Then you can take over my dad’s company and still have time to coach the Mavericks. You can leave that silly little farm behind. It’s a perfect solution.”

A perfect solution? But what problem needs solving? I am content with my life as it is now. I met Lauren in college during one of my agriculture business classes. She was there because her father owns a prominent produce distribution company.

Although we attended high school together, I didn’t know her back then. After my breakup with Kerri gutted me, I was lost and in a dark place for a long time. But Lauren was patient and understanding, not pressuring me into anything. Slowly but surely, our relationship bloomed. While it may not be an intense, passionate love like I had with Kerri, it’s comfortable and logical.

I started working in sales for her father’s company about six months ago. In that short time, I’ve learned a lot about the financial and agricultural aspects of farming. But Thatcher’s farm and the animals that reside there hold a special place in my heart. I don’t want to give it up, no matter how uncomfortable things may be with Kerri.