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I hadn’t realized I’d spoken aloud till my mom echoed my words.

“What are you doin’, Way?”

“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully, flopping onto the stiff sofa cushion.

“Are you okay, honey?”

“No.” I shook my head and swallowed hard. “I’m not. I wish…nothing. I’m fine. Like I said, I’m tired.”

“Hmm. Can I ask you something?” She waited for my grunt of approval. “Were you as happy as you seemed to be in Vermont?”

Tears stung my eyes. “It’s a good place.”

“It’s not just the place, is it? It’s the people.” A statement, not a question.

“Yeah. But I’m home now…like I said I would be.” I raked my fingers through my hair and started jabbering. “My schedule will be weird at first, but I can help with Emmett. You’re right about Misty. I won’t overdo it. I’ll give her space and just be around if I’m needed. The lumberyard will open before the store. We have a huge contract and⁠—”

“Waylon. Emmett is okay. Dad and me…we’re okay, too.”

“I know, but⁠—”

“But you promised to be back in a year, and you kept your word,” Mom finished, sighing heavily on the line. “Sugar, sometimes you get love and suffering mixed up. Checks and balances, who owes who what. Does any of that matter?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m saying what I’ve been saying for a while now—you’re not responsible for us. You get to have your own life, too. If you’re happy in Vermont, why aren’t you there?”

I opened and closed my mouth, too surprised to respond at first. “I have a job here. I had a plan, and the plan has come together and⁠—”

“Plans can be changed, Way. Follow your heart.”

She switched topics, probably sensing I’d reached the end of my rope. What time would I be there tomorrow? Did I want some of her spicy fried chicken? And did she tell me that some asshole drove a tractor through Aunt Sherry’s fence?

I tuned her out. My head was on fire, my chest ached, and my limbs felt like lead.

This was where I was supposed to be.

But it didn’t feel right.

All I wanted was Reg. I wanted to waltz into his kitchen, snake my arms around his waist, and bury my nose in his hair. I wanted his indulgent grin, his annoyed smirk, his sexy body, and I wanted to hold on tight and never fucking let go.

I wanted to tell him that these last few months in Wood Hollow had been the best in my life. I wanted to thank him for letting me in, making me part of his world. I wanted to tell him that I’d never felt this way about anyone else. I’d never loved anyone like this…with my heart and my head and my⁠—

Holy fuck…I love him.

Love.

Fuck.

That was…a big word.

I knew Reg cared about me, but neither of us had signed up for four-letter-word feelings. And passing through Vermont once in a while for a visit or keeping in touch via social media or text messages wasn’t enough.

Sure, we’d set the score early and had agreed to walk away when the time came, no drama. The time had come. It was over.

So why did I want to get back in my truck and drive another nine and a half hours to Wood Hollow?

I rubbed my eye sockets and released a jagged breath. Maybe I just needed a good night’s sleep. With any luck, the feeling would pass.