Page 63 of Call It Love

“She was pregnant?”

“We’re not sure. It could have been her sister’s, I guess. There’s no record of her sister after they arrive. We think she died and was buried at sea.”

Anna’s smile fell. “That’s heartbreaking.”

“It was. But the point of my story is this. Even knowing the child wasn’t his, he married her anyway. He was their only child, and he became the next generation to live here. To work the land. And eventually, so did his children.”

Her eyes were locked with mine, full of emotion. I hope she saw where I was going.

I turned to face her and gathered her hands in mine, squeezing them. “I’m sorry you can’t have children. I can only imagine how much that hurts. But it’s not a deal-breaker for me. Not even close. I wantyou. I always have. I’m sorry we lost our way all those years ago, but we’ve found our way back together again. I’m not sure what the future holds. But don’t let that be the reason you don’t come on this crazy, beautiful journey with me.”

My voice grew rougher, thick with emotion. “I wantyou. Not for what could have been. Not some version of thefuture we once imagined. I want you, just as you are. You’re stronger than you know. And I’m in awe of you.”

A beat passed as she stared at me, a glimmer of hope deepening the blue of her eyes.

“The history of this land is something I’m proud of, sure. But it’s not the soil or the barns or the trees that make it what it is. Legacy isn’t about bloodlines. It’s about the people. The hands that build it and pour love into every corner. It’s about hearts that persevere even when it’s hard. Legacy is about what you build, and who you choose to build it with.”

For several painstaking seconds, she didn’t say anything. Her eyes were glassy as she looked at me, really looked. Like she was reading everything my eyes could say, but the words weren’t ready.

“I chooseyou,Blossom. The future will work itself out.”

Then, in a flash, her hands threaded in my hair, and her lips met mine. It was urgent, like something snapped free inside of her. Like all the doubts gave way.

I didn’t hesitate. I kissed her back like it was the most natural thing in the world. Because it was.

Chapter 21

Anna

His words shatteredthe last wall I’d built around my heart.

Legacy. Family. Love.

All things I convinced myself I’d never have were suddenly right in front of me, offered by the only man who ever saw me clearly. He wasn’t just offering me a future. He was rewriting the rules I’d been living by. I might have arrived at Silver Creek Farm in the middle of a storm, but Chase was the one who cleared the clouds.

My vision blurred. My heart cracked wide open. Before I could even think about what I was doing, I moved. My hands found his hair. My mouth found his. And all the emotions I’d buried—grief, fear, longing—poured into the kiss.

He didn’t hesitate. His hands came up to frame my face, anchoring me. His lips moved against mine with a softness that made my knees go weak. But then he let out a low groan and deepened the kiss.

His tongue played with mine, teasing, but with a hungerthat built an incredible friction inside me, which I was certain might consume me. But the burn was so good.

His fingers left my face to trail down my waist. Strong hands lifted me onto his lap. My knees straddled his hips as he pulled me tight against him, as if he couldn’t get close enough. And I didn’t want the space either. Every inch of him felt familiar, yet new. This was no longer the boy I’d left behind. Years of working outside, hauling trees and lifting heavy loads, had honed his body better than any gym.

His lips left mine to skim across my collarbone, and my head fell backward, my back arched in the safety of his embrace, to give him more space.

“So beautiful,” he murmured. “So perfect.”

One hand coasted up my back, then glided over the curve of my ribs to capture one of my breasts. His fingers pulled on the nipple, the lacy material of my bra adding to the roughness of the moment. I gasped, and he rocked his hips upward, and I felt his hardness between my legs.

Both of his hands then slid under my shirt, pulling it up. He broke the kiss. “Is this okay?”

For an answer, I grinned and pulled it over my head myself, then unhooked my bra and dropped it to the ground. His eyes immediately fixated on my breasts, causing my nipples to react instantly and tighten into dark buds.

“Blossom,” he breathed.

The gold flecks in his eyes darkened with desire. His hands went back to my hips, rocking me against his.

“Do you feel how much I want you?” he asked, his voice sounding barely controlled. “This is allyou. The beautiful, courageous, compassionate woman in my arms is not broken. She’s perfect. And now she’s mine.”

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