Page 7 of Longhorn Findlay Farm

The truth is, I should’ve been honest with Archie from day one. I should’ve trusted him with the fact that Waylin was in my life a long time ago. But instead, I held my breath not wanting to mess up a good thing… and now it’s too late. I’ve done exactly that.

Here I am again, another almost family who doesn’t want me anymore. My chest tightens. I take solace in the fact that I’m not a child anymore. I have some savings, and I have options. But none of those options end with me being in Archie’s arms and they do nothing to soothe my broken heart.

I slide my suitcase out from under the bed in an all too familiar way. The emotions are too big and they threaten to overtake me, so I focus on my next steps. I can rent an apartment or maybe I’ll work on a vineyard down in Peony Pointe. I could head down to lumberjack lagoon and find a life there.

I hate every idea more than the last. All I want is to be here in Findlay with the most amazing man I’ve ever known. I’ve fallen for Archie in a way I didn’t know was possible and the thought of leaving him shatters me. But I saw the look on his face. The heartbreak, the betrayal. There isn’t any going back now, he’s devastated and I’ve moved enough times in my life to know that you don’t get to come back from that kind of loss of trust.

With my bags packed, I pull a slip of paper from one of my notebooks and scribble down a note.

Archie, I love you. These weeks have been the best of my life. Thank you for showing me what’s possible. Xoxo, Carly

My tears stain the paper as I fold it up and write his name on the front. Pulling my suitcase behind me, I head toward the backdoor. There’s a back gate that leads to the parking area. I can get out undetected.

I glance out of the front window to see if the commotion has settled. When I do, my jaw falls open. Archie is standing in front of my door.

Knock. Knock.

I open the door and look up at him, his face is bruised and swollen. It’s heartbreaking to see him like this.

“Oh, Archie, your eye. Are you okay?” I move forward and run a tentative hand across the swelling.

“I’m fine. You should see him.” He huffs.

“Waylin and I have known each other all our lives. We dated in the years after high school when I was lost, displaced, and willing to do anything for stability. He took advantage of me, controlled me, and made me feel even worse about myself than I already did. I haven’t talked to him in years, but he follows me online and asks around about me all the time. He must have heard I was here. Or maybe it was just an unlucky happenstance. I’m sorry.”

Archie looks at me, his appraising eyes softening ever so slightly.

“Don’t worry, I’m packed. I’ll be out of here in the next few minutes. But for what it’s worth, I want you to know I’ll miss you.”

He tilts his head. “What do you mean out of here?”

“I mean, I know that I broke your trust and I don’t expect you to just forgive and forget. I will go and let you move on with your life.” I swallow back my tears.

He shakes his head. “I’m not going to give up on you. When I told you you were mine, I meant forever.”

The tension in my stomach eases and I look up at him. “You don’t want me to get out of your life?” I can’t help but ask. I need to make sure I understand before I let myself believe it.

“Sweetheart, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I need to hear some details that I don’t think I’m going to like, but I trust you, and more than that, I love you. Now put that suitcase away, you are already home.” He steps into the cottage past me and pulls my bag away from the door.

Without another word, Archie walks to the couch and sits. He puts a hand on the cushion next to him and I sit beside him. Archie and I talk, its a beautiful, honest conversation and I’m overwhelmed by first encounter with real love. Somehow I know, we’re only getting started.

EPILOGUE: CARLY

“Get Hagrid, his bandana is crooked.” Archie holds up a hand, halting the photographer in her tracks.

“What a mess,” Olivia laughs and puts a hand on her swollen belly.

Hagrid is on his third bandana of the day. Our photo shoot is way out by the longhorns and he is determined to slip and slide in every pocket of mud along the way.

“One sec, I’ll get it.” I step forward, pulling Hagrid toward me as he covers my face with wet, sloppy kisses. I untie and then straighten the mess of white fabric around his neck until he looks like a proper gentleman. Then I step back to my place in the formation.

The entire Findlay family is gathered for a promotional photo shoot for the farms. They’re all wearing denim and white, and unbelievably, I am too. Standing by Archie’s side, it’s impossible not to feel the warmth of this family.

We stand with frozen smiles taking direction from the photographer who snaps away. From Jameson’s groan, I gather that participating in this photo shoot may be harder for some of us than others, but for me, this is pure joy. I may not officially be a Findlay, but this is the closest I’ve ever come to being a part of a family and it feels incredible. I know they are meant to be purely promotional, but these photos will be hanging over my mantel in my inn. Not that I spend any time there, I’m with Archie nearly every night. But still, they are the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

“Okay, let's do one more.” Let's have Carly and Archie step out front.”

“Of course,” Jameson mutters. “What would a photo shoot be without Archie at the helm.”

---