Page 115 of Somewhere You Belong

She nods. “You’re right. I can yell at you about that later.”

“Thank you.”

“So why did his mother visit you?”

“She knew about the house, about Dallas’s dad leaving it to me. She knew the entire time. And she asked me not to tell him myself because she wants to be the one to do that.”

“This is some daytime soap opera shit.”

“No, this is my life and my future hanging on by a thin string. I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him, Shauna, but I’m afraid once he finds out, he’s going to be so angry with me.”

“Oh my God.” She looks like she’s about to cry. “You’re in love? Willow, that’s…”

I stare out the sliding glass door at the ocean. “I know, Shauna. But his mom…”

“That’s not on you, though. His motheraskedyou not to say anything, right? All you were doing was following her wishes.”

“I’m just not sure that will be enough for him to understand why I kept this from him.”

I stare at the letter next to me on the bedspread, reading over the words his father wrote to me all those months ago. And right now, I’m cursing them even more because, even though Michael Sheppard brought Dallas and me together, he may also be the reason we fall apart.

“And Dallas doesn’t know any of this yet?”

“No. I’m hoping tonight that I’ll get a moment to speak with his mom alone. I can’t talk to Dallas about my decision to stay until he knows the truth.”

“And what about your company, Willow? Are you going to sell it? Continue to work remotely? I feel like there are a lot of other decisions you need to make too.”

Sighing, I stare at the letter again. “I have a few options but can’t make that call until I talk to Dallas.” Tears start to build in my eyes. “I can’t believe this is my life right now, Shauna. This was just supposed to be an adventure, remember? I wasn’t supposed to fall in love, to find somewhere that actually feels like home for the first time in my life.”

“But the fact that you did tells you that this is where you are supposed to be, Willow. I just hope it all works out the way you want it to.”

“Me too, Shauna. Me too.”

***

“You look gorgeous, Goose.” Dallas stands just inside my threshold, beaming from ear to ear.

“Are you sure I’m not overdressed?” I opted for a high-waisted, wide leg pair of black linen pants and a tan high neck tank top. It’s not the most formal outfit I could wear, but it isn’t exactly casual.

“You look perfect. In fact, I can’t wait to strip you out of those clothes later.”

I roll my eyes at him. “You would say that.”

“Don’t want you to ever forget how much I want you.” He grabs my hand and yanks me toward him.

“I appreciate that. And just so you know, the feeling is mutual.”

“You ready for this?” he asks as his eyes move all over my face.

“No.”

He chuckles. “Don’t worry. The whole family is going to love you, and you’ve met most of them anyway.”

He leads me out to the Mustang and we head for his mother’s house, which is more inland than my house.

When we arrive at the home with light blue siding, white trim, and a brown roof, I picture a younger version of Dallas running around the sprawling yard, tumbling in the grass, and riding his bike up and down the street, and it instantly makes me smile.

“What are you smiling about?” he asks as he helps me from my seat.

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