Page 17 of The Inn

CHAPTER13

SUMMER

The thoughtof leaving Findlay Farms is bittersweet. My heart aches at the realization that I won’t have the fresh air or the wide open spaces that I’ve come to appreciate here. I slowly fill my lungs with air, feeling the swirl of emotions inside.

I’ve put it off all morning and I know it's time for me to go. It isn’t a surprise of course, but that doesn’t make it sting any less. My heart clings to the last bits of time and I take in every detail of this quaint inn.

When I run out of excuses, I sling the laptop case over one shoulder and grab my other bag off of the couch. With everything shoved into my overflowing suitcase, I’m officially packed. Saying goodbye to Maisie, Dakota, and even Archie is too hard. So I’ve written them thank you notes instead that I’ve left on the countertop. But saying goodbye to Jameson is altogether unthinkable.

I'm headed off to Scotland in only three days. In my effort to stall my departure, I found my hotel online. It looks like I'm staying right smack in the middle of a bustling city. Who knew it isn’t all castles and highlands over there?

From what I can tell, soon my view will be Glasgow Tower. The tallest freestanding building in all of Scotland. There’s something social-media-worthy for me. I guess sometimes you really do get what you ask for.

Upon arrival, it will be people as far as the eye can see. The accommodation is conveniently located across the street from trendy cocktail bars, quaint tea houses, and no less than three cafes within walking distance. It’s everything I wanted… and absolutely nothing I need.

What I need is for Jameson to give me a reason to stay, but that doesn’t seem likely. It’s time for me to stop delaying the inevitable.Come on Summer, you knew this farm life couldn’t be forever.

I have to take another deep breath before I sling open the door. I inhale, keeping my emotions in check. I say goodbye to the charm, the plants, and the easy breathing because… I don’t stay, I’ve said it so many times myself and it’s time to put my money where my mouth is.

But when I finally open the door ready to search for my keys, I nearly trip over myself at the sight that greets me. At the far end of the path, Jameson is standing in full rancher gear only this time, he’s got a horse too. He’s holding Salty on some kind of rope and Salty has a saddle on his back.

My mouth hangs open. “What are you doing?”

“I’m waiting for you. It’s about time I give you a reason to stay, don’t you think?” He winks at me and my heart melts. “And maybe that riding lesson you wanted.”

I drop my bags and make my way down the cobblestone path, my heart pounding in my chest. My breathing is shaky and tears stream from my eyes. I try desperately to compose myself. But before I'm even able to take my first shuddering breath, Jameson reaches for me and draws me in close.

He wraps me up in his embrace and tenderly kisses both of my cheeks. Then he takes me in his arms, lifting me off the ground when he hugs me. We stay there and the whole world fades around us. I’m lost in the arms of the world's sexiest rancher and my future is shifting into focus.

When Jameson puts me down he pulls back, looking into my eyes. “I won’t be perfect, I’ll be crabby and sometimes I won’t say the right thing. But if you stay, I sure as hell am going to keep you safe. You’ll be warm. When you’re having a hard time sleeping, I’ll crush you into the mattress and I’ll stay there with you all night. You won’t drive in the snow and you won’t have to worry about your legacy anymore because you’ll be home. Your legacy will be love. I’m not going to trap you, I want you to live. But no matter how far your life takes you, you have a place to come back to. I just don’t want any kilted men playing you songs on bagpipes.” He pauses and I let out a teary chuckle. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you a reason to stay. It was stupid because I have a thousand of them, but they all boil down to one. You need to stay because I love you and I can’t go back to a world without you in it.”

I squeeze my eyes closed to hold back the tears. Rising up on my toes, I reach for his lips with mine. Our mouths press together in a passionate kiss that conveys more than any words or promises ever could. “Jameson, I love you so much. I know with all my heart that everywhere I’ve been in my life has been just a stop leading me to you and Findlay Farms.” My body lightens with relief as his words wash over me. Jameson is the man of my dreams. He’s offering me a place to belong, a life I never knew was possible and I am so happy.

“I don’t like the thought of you way out in Scotland, but I know you have to go. If that’s the case, I’m sure as hell gonna give you somewhere to come back to. You don’t have roots, but you can share mine from now on.” Jameson gestures to Salty. “Now come on, you’re going for a ride.”

I blink back tears at his sweet words then run my hand down Salty’s nose. “What?”

“I’ll make a cowgirl out of you one way or another. I’ll even take a picture so you can put it online.” Jameson laughs.

“Deal, I would love that,” I smile.

I can’t help but giggle as Jameson helps me climb up into the saddle. Once I’m up, I hold onto Salty for dear life. But when we start moving steadily, I fall in love. With Jameson holding tightly to the reins, I’m not afraid. There’s a sort of peace in the movement and I take in the beauty of the farm from a whole different perspective.

Jameson leads us across the property, to a wide open space. There’s nothing out here but an old barn. After helping me down out of the saddle, which mostly means Jameson’s hands are gripping my ass, he ties Salty’s lead up to a nearby fence.

When we approach the barn, I take in all the old, weathered details. This place hasn’t seen visitors for some time, I’m sure of that. Jameson tells me that the barn was once home to a menagerie of animals including geese, pigs, and rabbits. I would like to have seen it. But that was way back before the three ranches separated. Since then, it’s been abandoned.

Jameson takes my hand in his as he pushes open the old barn door. There’s a skylight that lets in the sunshine which is good because he flips a light switch and it takes a moment for the yellow bulb dangling from a wire in the center of the room to buzz to life. When it does, I’m stunned to see that the inside of the barn is much cleaner than the outside.

In the center of the barn is a massive, oak, roll-top desk. I run my fingers across the pattern. “Wow, this is beautiful. It’s an antique, right?”

“Yes, my grandfather carved it himself. It’s been in the family for a while. I just moved it down here… For you. I thought that this barn could be your new writing headquarters. I’ll get you wifi of course, and I’ll make sure we turn it into exactly what you’re looking for. I’ve got a team coming up to paint and polish the old hardwoods. With the windows open, you’ll get a good breeze coming through.”

“Really? Jameson, that’s incredible.”

“And decorating isn’t really my thing, but Dakota says you probably already have a Pinterest board dedicated to the topic, whatever that is.” He puts his hand to the back of his neck and I notice the way his mouth turns up at the corner.

“Yes, I think I might have something like that,” I laugh.

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