Page 71 of Forbidden Love

“They’ll understand.” But would I? I’d gotten used to spending most of my free time with her, but the fact was, she had family here too. And if I wanted to be part of whatever she was building with hers, I needed to come clean to her brothers.

“Should we tell them?”

Her brow furrowed. “Tell who what?”

“Tell your brothers that we’re seeing each other.” Then I held my breath for her answer.

Kylie sighed. “I’m not ready for that yet. Let me feel out tonight, see how things are first.”

“I can wait,” I said, even though I wasn’t so sure.

“I don’t know what I want to do. Shouldn’t I know by now?”

I could tell she was conflicted by this, and I wanted to soothe her. So I drew her into my body and kissed the top of her head. “I think it will come to you when the time is right.”

“I love fundraising and building the dugouts. I feel great when I’m doing anything in relation to it. I felt the same about raising money for the ski equipment. Maybe that’s what I’m supposed to do.”

“Fundraise?”

“Yeah, but not for other people, for my own foundation. I keep getting this idea in my head. Kylie’s Kids.”

A tingle ran through my body as she continued. “I could raise money for sports equipment, leave boxes around town for people to drop their lightly used things into, and we could distribute them throughout the community.”

I held her tighter, so proud of her. “I love it.”

“It would be mine. Separate from Dugouts for Kids and Fields for Kids. It would just be equipment.”

“Yes.” I turned her so she was facing me. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. You took something that meant something to you, and you’re making it a reality. You’re helping the community and the kids.”

“I finally scheduled another meeting with the mayor and his event coordinator, Scarlett. I met her at the baseball game fundraiser. I’ll talk to them about a booth at the local festivals and events. I love the idea of these boxes being placed in the library or the grocery store.”

“Is this what you’re going to talk to your family about tonight?”

“I don’t think they’ll be that impressed. It’s not a thousand-dollar dinner or anything like that.”

“I think you underestimate them. They’ll think it’s as cool as I do.”

She rested her head against my shoulder. “I hope so. I saw more of them when I planned the ski equipment fundraiser but not much since. I think it’s time for me to reconnect with them. To see if there’s a place for me here.”

My heart hurt because I wished it was a foregone conclusion that she’d fit in with her family, that she knew there was a place for her in her hometown. “I’ll miss you, but you need to do this.” It was a necessary step for us to move forward in our relationship. She needed to make a decision about where she’d live.

“It’s past time for me to figure a few things out.”

We watched TV for a bit and then finally got up to get dressed and go our separate ways. I wanted to tell her all the things I was thinking: I love you. I’ll always be here for you. But I didn’t want to influence her decision beyond showing her how I felt. So when I walked her to her rental car, I kissed her, pouring everything I couldn’t say into it.

I just hoped I’d get a chance to tell her how I felt.

CHAPTER 20

KYLIE

When I’d texted earlier to say I’d be joining my family, Mom said everyone would be there. That was usual, as far as I could tell. None of the boys were dating anyone, so they were expected to be there every Sunday for dinner.

When I returned home, no one had pushed me to join them. I wasn’t sure if it was because I didn’t fit in or if they didn’t want to push me for fear I’d leave again.

I was starting to see I didn’t know my family that well. As soon as I was in high school, my brothers were already in college, and one by one, they returned home to take over the lodge. Then I went to college, studied overseas, and fell in love with Europe. I didn’t return home much, other than the occasional visit.

The last few years, I’d rarely returned at all. I said it was the expensive and long flight home, but it was more than that. The longer I stayed away, the harder it was to come home. I had to admit that I might be the reason for the rift between us. I’d blamed my family my entire life without seeing how I was also part of the equation.

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