Page 62 of Fight for Me
“Which is what you should do,” Milo says. “I assure you that no family is going to come in and buy your land at that price. A developer like Dovetail will see a greater profit and pay your asking price.”
It all makes sense, but it feels wrong.
A sympathetic sigh comes through the line. “I understand your hesitancy.” Danielle’s voice is soft. “I know you want to move quickly.”
“I need to move. I need to be settled. I can’t stay here.”
It’s best to sell the house, move, and let Declan know about the baby.
“Then give me another few days,” Milo suggests. “Let me look into this company a bit deeper. I’ll see if I can figure out a way to make this all work out the way you’re hoping it will.”
“I appreciate this. I really do. This farm has been in my family for almost a century, it’s just ... difficult.”
I keep trying to picture life not in Sugarloaf, and I fail each time. My sister left and never looked back. My mother said she was completely fine deeding the farm to me when she left and she’s fine with me selling it now.
Milo clears his throat. “Give us some time, the one thing I’ve learned in my pathetic life is that there’s always another way. Until then, be sure to drive Declan fucking miserable for ever letting you go. Us brooding, stupid types can’t seem to resist a woman who doesn’t want us.”
Danielle bursts out laughing. “And trust me, he would know.”
* * *
“Running away again?” Sierra asks before drinking her coffee.
After spending the morning looking at houses, I landed in the coffee shop in her town and called her, hoping for some sisterly advice. Now, I regret my line of thinking.
“No, I came to make sure I was doing the right thing and find somewhere to live.”
Sierra places her cup down and then shrugs. “And have you figured out if it is the right thing? Did you tell Declan about the baby yet?”
I shake my head. “I plan to as soon as the house is sold and I know I’m leaving. If I do it before then and he offers me some grand life, I’ll back out, I know I will.”
“I think that’s a smart plan. Declan’s sense of right and wrong will win out.”
And that’s the exact issue. “He’ll offer to marry me because he wants to do what he thinks is the honorable thing, not because he loves me.”
Her hand touches mine. “I’m sorry.”
I sniff and then pull back. “That’s the saddest part, Sierra, he does love me. I know he does. He just doesn’t think he deserves to be happy.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because he’s admitted it. He’s told me he wants me, he kisses me like a man who is desperate, but he’s so headstrong and won’t budge. I don’t get it. Why does he think pushing me away is better for me instead of loving me and letting us just be together? I feel like I could accept everything if Itrulyknew he didn’t love me.”
Sierra leans back in her chair and rubs her bottom lip. “You guys always seemed so steadfast, you know? I think I was more surprised by him leaving than I was when Dad left. It was almost as if nothing made sense.”
“No shit.”
“Have you asked him?”
“Of course I’ve asked him.”
Sierra smiles softly. “No, I mean point-blank. Why did you end things?”
I sigh heavily, feeling like the weight of the world is on me. “I think I have. I mean...maybe.” I think about it, slowly realizing that we really haven’t gotten anywhere. I’ve asked and he’s evaded or when he’s wanted to talk, I couldn’t handle it. “He told me when we broke up that he didn’t love me.”
“And we all know that’s not true.”
“Okay.” I can concede on that. I don’t believe it either. “He said he was doing what he had to in order to protect me.”
