Maybe I would’ve had this eventually once I worked up my nerve to tell Forrest how I felt about his brother. But then again, maybe I never would because the ache I felt at knowing Forrest was still upset with me was a lot to bear.
“Well, I’m glad she did,” he said when I didn’t answer right away. His hand cupped my chin as he tilted my face toward his. “It’s okay to admit you needed the push. Hell, I probably needed it too. We were scared of what might happen if we did this, and then we did. And now? Maybe it’s not as bad as we think it was going to be.”
“Forrest is still hurt, and that’s not fair to him. We can’t be okay with being happy while he’s upset and feeling betrayed.”
Deacon frowned as he considered what I was saying, and then he nodded his head, kissing my nose.
“I’ll talk to him. I’ll make this right tonight before he even gets the chance to leave.” He nudged his nose against mine, staring into my eyes with nothing but love. “I’ll fix anything for you.”
deacon
After helpingDakota bring the mugs of tea and coffee back into the dining room, I found Forrest in the garage, showing Beau his latest batch of brew.
“This is great, but are you still thinking about pursuing this instead of the farm? I mean, Colt’s pulled back now to focus more on wedding stuff with Wren. I’m too busy with Sheriff stuff. Deacon’s got his career in the fire station. That leaves you and Evan to take over the farm.”
“I know, and I’m not going to abandon it—”
“Are you sure? Because you are working a lot on this, and then you have your part-time gig at the bar. You fill your time outside of the farm with a lot of things that aren’t—”
“Beau, it’s the slow season. I’m filling my time now because Ihavethe time. I know you guys think I'm not serious because I’m always screwing around. But when it comes to our family, I’m committed. I promise, and if you would stop talking for a moment, you’d hear what I was going to tell you. This beer you just drank was made using hops I grew on the farm last summer and some of the flowers. Maybe if I can get this going, we can expand the farm. I mean, Colt is already kind of doing that, and I could work with Evan to expand it. I have a lot of ideas.”
“Alright, alright,” Beau clapped him on the shoulder, “it sounds great, Forrest. I want to hear all these ideas. Everyone does. Just don’t forget, this is on you. Whatever you want the farm to become, it’s yours and Evan’s project. We’re all counting on you.” Beau took another sip of the beer and nodded approvingly. I stepped forward, making my presence known to both of them as they turned to look at me.
“Can I try?” Forrest started to open his mouth, likely to say no, but Beau already held the bottle out to me, and I took it. Swigging a sip of the beer, I let the flavors swirl on my tongue for a moment before nodding as well. “This is great, Forrest. You’re really onto something. What if you did beers and wines? I think I could get—”
“I don’t need anything else from you, thanks.”
Beau turned to look at Forrest, then to me, and he cleared his throat, “what’s that, Rose? You need me? Coming!” And he hustled out of there faster than I’d seen him move in years.
“Charming. You’d think he’s the youngest, and you’re the oldest.” I turned back to Forrest, who began to walk toward me, intending to leave the room. I stepped in front of him, crossing my arms over my chest to block his way. He wasn’t in bad shape, but he wasn’t in as good of shape as I was, considering how active I needed to be for my job.
I was a stone wall compared to him.
“Not so fast. We need to talk.”
“Yourgirlfriendcornered me a few days ago and said the same thing. I’m done talking.”
I sighed, reaching out to grab him and slow his pace. “Seriously, Fore, let’s talk for a moment. Grab a beer.” I nodded at the crate he’d taken the first bottle out of.
“I’m fine.” He snapped his hand out of my grip and stepped away from me, mirroring my stance as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“What’s your biggest worry about this? Why can’t you be happy for us? You don’t want her—do you?”
“No!” He said with indignation, huffing after a moment and then glancing away, letting his eyes rove around the garage. “I don’t want to lose her. It’s not a joke when I say she’s like a sister. She is. And her getting involved with you has more bad endings than good ones.”
“But why do you assume it’s going to be a bad ending? When have I ever given you the impression I’m only capable of bad endings?”
I wasn’t a saint, and I’d dated a bit since high school, but no one serious. Only because I wasn’t serious about them. There was only ever one girl I wanted, and it took me long enough to get to this point and go for it. Hell, it tookhergoing for it for me to see we could be together.
“Because—when do relationships ever work out?”
Then it dawned on me. This wasn’t about Dakota and me. This was abouthim.
“You’re acting this way because of Tori?”
Forrest took a long time, staring at me like he was trying to work toward admitting this was a him-issue, not an us-issue.
Tired of waiting, I spoke again, “I’m sorry whatever you thought you had with Tori wasn’t the real deal, and she hurt you. But I’m telling you what Dakota and I have is very different from that because we’re very different people. And if for some reason, it didn’t work out between us, I’m sure we can be mature enough to not let the ending of our relationship affect how the rest of our relationships pan out.”