Page 18 of Growing Into Love

I was the only girl. The youngest. I didn’t have to be anything. I only had to stay exactly the same. I know sometimes it hurt Dad to look at me, though. Because I look so much like Mum.

But then Autumn came. And Oak Hillhaschanged—for the better. The tours are more popular now. Virgil’s got his inn. Why can’t I have one thing of my own?

The warm scent of hay and animal envelops me as I walk down the barn toward where Naturally Sweet is settled in Gal’s stall—I take a biscuit out of the bucket that hangs on the gate and hold it out to him. He sniffs at it sleepily.

“Welcome to your new home,” I tell him. “I’ve got to go away for bit, but Declan will take good care of you. Don’t mind his attitude, he’s all bark and no bite.”

Naturally munches the biscuit and I rub his nose.

“You are quite sweet,” I say, as he blows warm air onto my fingers. “I’ll come up with a proper name for you, though. A new name for a fresh start.”

Being around horses usually relaxes me more, but I’m not sure anything could relieve the stress of this day. Tomorrow, I fly to America with the one person I was hoping to avoid. There’s no way he didn’t see the text. And he hasn’t mentioned it. I’m at a complete loss as to what to do. Pretend it never happened? Maybe this morning that would have felt like the best option. But I’m tired of keeping things status quo. Look where that’s got me—no one thinks I’m capable of anything on my own. They all want me to stay at Oak Hill and do as I’m told for the rest of my life.

I clench my jaw. Not anymore.

I stop to say hello to Mr. Pickles on my way out of the barn. Then I head back to the house. Jaz and Clive have left. Declan’s nowhere to be seen, thank god.

But Gran and Gramps are still at the table.

“Sit down a moment, dearie,” Gran says. I sigh and plunk down onto the bench.

“Cass,” Gramps says. “We never meant to make you feel as if we don’t support you because we do.”

“We think the sanctuary is a wonderful idea,” Gran says.

“Thanks,” I say, halfheartedly. The thing is, I don’t believe them.

Gramps reaches out and puts his hand on mine. “This farm is as much yours as it is Declan’s,” he says. “I should have said that plainly before. I think we were all a bit, er…”

“Caught off guard,” Gran supplies.

“Yes,” Gramps agrees. “You’ve always spoken your mind, love, just not quite as forcefully as you did this evening.”

Gran chuckles. “Declan is doing some hard thinking right about now, I’d wager.”

Declan can do all the thinking all he wants. He’ll never change. He’s too pigheaded.

“I’ve got to go pack,” I say, getting up from the table. I kiss them both on the cheek, ignoring the concerned looks they give each other, and trudge upstairs to my room. I pull my suitcase out from under my bed and start going through my closet.

I’m folding up my dress shirts when there’s a knock on my door.

“Can I come in?” Autumn asks. She’s holding two mugs of tea.

“Sure,” I say. She puts one mug down on the nightstand and then shuts the door behind her.

“Okay,” she says, curling up cross-legged on my bed. “Spill.”

“Sorry?”

“Something is clearly going on with you. And I don’t think it’s just about the farm or the sanctuary, though you made some excellent points and I’m proud of you standing up to Declan like that.”

“You are?” I ask, surprised. Thought she might be mad about the way I spoke to him.

“Of course. I love your brother, but he can be so stuck in his ways. He needs to let go and remember you’re your own person. But, like I said, I don’t think that was all about Declan. So.” Autumn grins and points at her mug. “Give me the tea.”

I groan. “You’ve got to be joking.”

“It was a good joke, though, right?”

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