Page 84 of Forever in the Country

Ella hadn’t even gotten to greet them before I’d practically launched myself over the counter, dough still covering my hands. I’d refused them service and told them they weren’t welcome in my bakery.

I’ll reassess if Sorren wants to rekindle a relationship with them, but in the meantime, I’ll protect him the only way I can. Hannah had heard the commotion and walked through the door connecting the bakery to the bookstore Case had built for her. She hadn’t needed any details outside of the ones raging through the group text to inform Vivian and Michael Mackay that they were not welcome in her shop either.

Vivian had made a show of turning on her heel and stalking out of the bakery, but I’d seen the way Michael’s eyes widened as if he was just understanding the lengths we’d go to in order to protect our family.

Another knock on the door sounds and I brace myself for the inevitable.

“It’s open,” I call and there’s a moment of hesitation before the knob turns. Sorren’s eyes are haunted when they meet mine.

“I’m mad at you.”

“Sunshine, I’m—”

“Don’t,” I say, taking a step back.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what, Sorren?”

“For not being able to do this right. To do this like you deserve.” The words are quiet but firm.

“You think that’s why I’m mad?”

“I was really hoping we hadn’t gotten to mad yet.”

“Hmm.” He takes another step toward me, his hands flexing at his sides. He’s trying so hard not to reach for me and there’s a little crack in my resolve. “I’m not mad.”

“Disappointed is worse,” he murmurs and I tilt my head up to meet his gaze.

“I need you to talk to me.”

“I’m trying,” he says, and I know he is, but I need it and not just on his timeline.

“Don’t make me worry if you’re all right.”

“It won’t happen again.” His voice is low and holds so much pain. We face off in my living room for several moments before I finally relent. I hold my hand out to him, and he closes the distance between us before scooping me into his arms and dropping onto the couch.

His arms wrap around me, and he buries his face in the crook of my neck. I hate that he’s hurting, his heart pounding in his chest as I hold him tighter against me.

“I just needed to know I could still come home.”

His eyes search mine, and I know he’s not talking about the walls around us.

“You can always come home.” His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat as his arms tighten around my waist. “But you have to let me love you. All of you.”

“I love you so damn much it’s hard to breathe,” he whispers, and my heart breaks for the little boy who never truly believed he’d get here—that he could be loved to the moon and back and love in return.

Taking his face in my hands, I force him to hold my gaze. “We are better together than we ever are apart. Stop tryin’ to do this by yourself.”

“I never want to do this with anyone else.” His lips curve up ever so slightly. “So let’s do this—together.”

“Together.” The word was barely out before his mouth slams against mine in a kiss that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. It’s the kind they write about in books that are timeless because the love inside is relevant and classic and embodies the feeling of two souls forever intertwined.

Our love isn’t a fairytale, it’s so much more.

It’s real.

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