Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
My anger flares up instantly, boiling just beneath the surface. “What do you mean?” My voice is tight, barely above a whisper.
Joey swallows hard, but before I can lash out, he continues. “Your father wasn’t just my boss, Violet. He was my best friend. We talked about everything, and this…this was one of the things he confided in me about. He didn’t put that in his will to hurt you, or to make you feel like you’d lose everything. He did it because he was scared.”
“Scared?” I snap, incredulous. “Of what?”
“He was afraid you’d never find love off this ranch. He knew how much you loved this place—how much it meant to you—but he also knew that once he was gone, you’d throw yourself into the work and forget about the rest of your life. He didn’t want that for you.”
I blink back the tears that are threatening to fall, but I don’t say anything, letting Joey’s words sink in.
“He made that will after he found out he was sick,” Joey continues, his voice softening. “He didn’t think he had long, and he figured it’d be enough time for you to fall in love naturally. He didn’t plan to die right before your birthday, Violet. He thought he’d have more time to explain it all to you.”
The tears I’ve been holding back spill over, and I turn away, wiping my face furiously. I feel like I’m being torn apart—grieving my father all over again, feeling the weight of Callum’s absence, and now, understanding why my dad did what he did. I’d asked for answers, begged for them in the silence of my room, and now that I’m getting them, I don’t know what to do with the pain.
“I’m sorry I lied to you before,” Joey says, stepping closer. “I didn’t want to break your father’s trust, but seeing you this way, seeing Callum not around… I felt like maybe you deserved to know why he did it. Your father loved you more than anything in this world, Violet. He just wanted to make sure you’d find someone to love you the way you deserve.”
I close my eyes, feeling the weight of everything crash down on me. I thought my father had forced me into this marriage to protect the ranch, but the truth is, he was trying to protect me too. He wanted me to have both—a life on the ranch and someone to share it with. And now, as I stand here with Joey’s words ringing in my ears, I realize how terrified I am that I’ve already lost the latter.
“I’m here if you need someone to talk to,” Joey says, his hand gently resting on my arm, offering comfort. “Your father was an amazing man. I don’t know what’s going on with you and Callum, but I know he’d be beaming with pride at what you two have found.”
Before I can reply, my phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out quickly, my heart skipping a beat when I see the name.
Callum.
With a mix of hope and dread swirling inside me, I open the text.
Hubby: Come to Atta Boy. I need to show you something.
That’s it. No explanation, just a simple message. My heart races, and I can’t shake the uneasy feeling that’s settled in my gut. What if this is it? What if he’s going to show me something I don’t want to see… like divorce papers? My mind spins with the worst possible outcomes, but at the same time, I can't deny him. I love him, deeply. And whatever this is, I have to face it head-on.
I turn to Joey, my voice tight. “Handle the ranch for me today, Joey.”
He nods, concern still etched on his face as I head back to the house. I take the quickest shower of my life, the hot water doing little to wash away my nerves. I throw my hair up into a ponytail, keep my makeup simple with a touch of mascara and lip gloss, and pull on my favorite pink and black plaid shirt with my best-fitting jeans. As I glance in the mirror, the familiar look gives me a little surge of confidence.
I need it.
The drive to Atta Boy feels longer than usual, every minute stretching out as my heart beats wildly in my chest. Joey’s words echo in my mind, bringing a bittersweet mix of comfort and guilt. I had been so wrapped up in my confusion and hurt, thinking my father had forced me into this marriage out of control. But Joey’s revelation brought clarity. My father loved me enough to want me to find love—and now I fear that love is slipping away.
When I step into the brewery, Anya’s smiling face greets me. But something about her catches me off guard—she looks stunning, as if she’s dressed for some formal event. Her hair is styled perfectly, her makeup flawless.