Page 102 of Call It Love

“I still can’t believe he did that.”

“I want to kill him.”

“I hope he rots in jail.”

“I’m never leaving your side again.”

“Me, either.”

Anna groaned affectionately. “Guess I’ve got two bodyguards now. Not sure how you’ll ever get work done following me around all day.”

“Watch us,” I challenged, but I finally relaxed and sat back down. Jordan followed suit.

“Seriously,” she said, looking between us. “I appreciate you both wanting to take care of me.” Jack whined beside her and placed a paw on her lap. She leaned down and nuzzled him. “And you, too, of course.” She looked back up. “I love you both.”

Her words were simple, but they still hit me square inthe chest every time. She’d said them before, but always in quiet moments between us. Here, in the middle of the kitchen with Jordan, it was different. It was bigger. It felt like family.Myfamily.

I’d told Anna that legacy was about the people, not the land. But until now, I’d still been measuring it against the farm. Now I knew the truth. The farm could burn to the ground, and I’d still have everything that mattered. They were sitting right here. Anna was my future. And maybe, if he let us, Jordan was as well.

I glanced at him just in time to see her words land with him. He blinked hard, then sniffed, like he was trying to cover it. Then he gave up all pretense as a tear slid down his cheek. He stood without a word, crossed the small space between them, and wrapped his arms carefully around her. He buried his face in her shoulder. She didn’t hesitate. She held him like it was the easiest thing in the world.

“I love you, too,” he whispered.

Her eyes welled, and I wasn’t doing much better. Two people who had been made to feel they were either too much or not enough had found each other. And I got to love them both.

Jordan pulled back with a quick sniff and wiped his face with the back of his hand. “So,” he said, clearing his throat. “Is cereal okay for people with concussions? Cause I don’t know how to cook.”

Anna laughed, her eyes still shining. “It’s perfect.”

So that’s what we ate. Nothing fancy, but it tasted like everything I ever wanted.

By midmorning, the barn was a flurryof activity.

Tables and chairs were folded and hauled away by the rental company. Lights were taken down and boxed, and Cam’s crew broke down the temporary sheds and the stage. What had taken weeks to put together was disassembled in a matter of hours.

I stopped to watch as the shed frame where Anna had been attacked came apart. With every board they removed, my tension eased. Funny how something so temporary could leave such a permanent mark.

From the porch, I could hear faint laughter. Anna’s, along with the familiar sound of my sisters’ and Emalee’s. They’d all shown up with their arms loaded with casseroles, snacks, and desserts to keep my entire crew—and us—fed for days. All so Anna could rest. She seemed distressed at first that they’d gone to so much trouble, but she was learning what I already knew. This is what family did. And it was my family’s way of saying she was one of us now.

By early afternoon, Silver Creek Farm looked like itself again. Everyone had returned home, and Jordan has disappeared into his room.

I joined Anna on the porch, where she was gently rocking on the swing with one leg tucked beneath her. She beamed up at me.

“The girls helped me tally up the grand total we raised.”

“Oh? How’d it go?”

She rattled off a number that made my eyes widen. “Seriously?”

“I know! I couldn’t believe it. Even after paying for the rentals and a few other things, we far exceeded our goal.”

I leaned in and kissed her, then settled my arm around her. “You did it. I don’t know for sure, but I’d guess that far beats any number that’s been raised in the past. Helluva lotbetter than a pancake breakfast. You may have even started a new tradition in Sterling Mill.”

She beamed. “I’m glad.”

“You know this means Beverly Seymour is going to be on our doorstep every month with a new activity she’ll want you to head up.”

She tilted her head thoughtfully. “You know, it’s something I love doing. Planning and organizing things, especially if it’s for a good cause. It’s the one good thing that came out of the past few years.”

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