Page 116 of Falling For You

Just as we settled again, my phone buzzed on the counter. I walked over to check it, seeing Beck’s name flash on the screen.

“Hey, Beck,” I answered, balancing the phone on my shoulder.

“Vi, I need some help,” Beck said, slightly breathless. “One of the animals got out again. It’s that goat—you know, the escape artist. Can you come over and give me a hand?”

I groaned inwardly. “The goat again? Beck, you need to get better fences.”

“I know, I know,” he said, sounding exasperated. “But for now, can you just help me catch him before he gets too far?”

I was about to say yes when Owen stood up, grabbing his coat. “I’ll help him out. You stay here and catch up with Liam.”

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You sure?”

Owen grinned, already halfway to the door. “Yeah, I’ve meant to meet the infamous escape artist goat, anyway. I’ll be back soon.”

I watched him go, feeling a little flutter in my chest as he disappeared out the door. He was always willing to help, always stepping in when someone needed him. It was one of the things I loved most about him.

Liam watched him go, too, then returned to me with a smirk. “Well, he’s a keeper, isn’t he?”

I smiled, sitting back down at the table. “Yeah, he is.”

Liam leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “So… you really think he’s the one?”

I hesitated momentarily but then nodded, feeling a sense of certainty wash over me. “Yeah. I do.”

Liam raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my confidence. “You sound sure about that.”

“I am,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “I wasn’t sure at first. We had a lot to figure out, and there was so much going on with the lodge, the land… everything. But through it all, Owen’s been there. And not just for me, but for all of us. He didn’t have to stick around, but he did.”

Liam nodded thoughtfully, clearly processing what I’d said. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. I like the guy. And I don’t say that about just anyone.”

I laughed, knowing Liam’s approval wasn’t something that came easily. “I know. That’s why it means a lot to me.”

He gave me a serious look, his voice softening. “I’m happy for you, Vi. You deserve someone like Owen. Someone who sees how amazing you are and will do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

I felt a lump form in my throat, touched by my brother’s words. Liam might tease me a lot, but when it came down to it, he was always there for me—always rooting for me.

“Thanks, Liam,” I said, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. “That means a lot.”

He smiled, squeezing my hand back. “Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Promise me that when you and Owen get settled in your happily-ever-after, you won’t forget about your poor, single brother.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “I could never forget about you. Besides, by then, you and Evie will probably be together, and you’ll be the one with the happily-ever-after.”

Liam chuckled, though there was a touch of hopefulness in his voice. “Yeah, maybe. We’ll see.”

We sat there a little longer, talking about everything from the blog to the lodge to Liam’s hopeless crush on Evie. It was easy and comfortable, the kind of conversation you could only have with someone who’d known you your whole life.

Eventually, Owen returned, his cheeks red from the cold and a grin on his face. “The goat’s back in the pen,” he announced, taking off his coat. “I have no idea how he keeps getting out, though.”

Liam and I both laughed, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me as we all settled into the easy rhythm of the conversation again.

This was it—this was the life I’d always wanted. A family that I loved, a partner who understood me, and a future that felt bright and full of possibility.

And as I sat there, sipping my coffee and listening to the sound of Owen and Liam bantering back and forth, I realized I wasn’t just happy.

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