Page 165 of Forever To Me

I look out into a sea of people—some faces I know, some faces I don’t, but all of them here for something bigger than me. Bridger Falls has transformed for the country fair, located just outside of town. People have come from all over for the fair, andnormally this would be my favorite thing. But not now, not when my heart is hurting.

I’m here for Cami and forWilder Ranch. For the place she’s poured her heart into, the land she’s spent sleepless nights trying to save.

I grip the microphone, clearing my throat, trying to push through the weight in my chest.

“Wow,” I say, scanning the crowd, my voice shaky but strong. “This… this is incredible. First, I want to say thank you for coming. For showing up for this community. For proving, yet again, how special Bridger Falls is.”

A murmur of cheers and applause ripples through the audience.

I glance over at Cami, standing off to the side, arms crossed, blinking way too fast like she’s trying not to cry.

“Wilder Ranch isn’t just a ranch,” I continue. “It’s a place of history. Of memories. Of dreams. And Cami has big ones—big, beautiful dreams for turning it into a place that serves this community. A place where kids can ride, families can gather, and life slows down just enough to remind you of what matters.”

More cheers.

Cami sniffs loudly, flipping me off from the side of the stage, and I laugh. “She’s gonna kill me for getting all sentimental up here, so I’ll shut up now and sing.”

I take a deep breath before launching into my first song. And for a while—just a little while—it feels good. I tell stories about the songs, making the crowd laugh and watching their faces as they connect with the lyrics. I forget, just for a second, that my heart feels like it’s been ripped in two.

But then?—

Then, it’s time for the last one.

I take a breath. My throat tightens. I already know how this is gonna go. I should’ve cut it from the set list. I should’vechosen something else. But this is the song we wrote together, and even if it breaks me, I need to sing it.

"Alright, this next one is a special one. You might have seen a video where this one was performed. Anyway, I hope you like it. It means a lot to me," I say, pretending to be able to breathe. Because right now, I'm struggling not to cry.

The first few chords hit, and I physically feel it in my chest. The crowd hushes, the weight of the moment settling over all of us. I start to sing. And it’s like ripping open a wound in front of everyone.

Every word, every note, it’s all him. Even though he’s not here, I feel him. His voice in my ear that night, his fingers brushing mine on the guitar, his whiskey-colored eyes watching me like I was something precious.

By the last line, my voice cracks. Tears burn my eyes, spilling over before I can stop them. I let the last note ring out, my chest heaving, hands trembling.

I wipe my face, laughing weakly into the mic. “Well. That was embarrassing.”

The crowd erupts, but it’s all a blur. I sniff, swallowing down the ache in my throat. “Thank you for supporting Wilder Ranch.”

I step off the stage, my legs wobbly and my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

And then—then I see them.

Standing backstage, waiting for me. My parents.

Maggie steps forward first, smiling through watery eyes. “Surprise, baby girl.”

I freeze. Then I’m in their arms, sobbing into my mom’s shoulder, my dad rubbing my back, whispering, “We’re so proud of you, Vi.”

Later that night, we gather around the kitchen at Cami's farmhouse, eating leftovers and laughing, the weight of the night finally settling.

I feel lighter, even with the ache in my chest.

Mack bursts through the door, grabbing a handful of fries from Cami’s plate before even saying hello. “How much money did you raise? Did you save the ranch?”

“We haven’t officially got the numbers yet, but it was awesome!” Cami smiles at her and pulls her in for a hug. “How did you get here?”

Mack grins and says,“Dad dropped me off.”

Silence.

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