“What?” I wheeze, the words knocking the breath out of me.
“You said it to me out in the hallway, and I didn’t get a chance to respond, but it seems like now is the perfect time.”
My eyes flit about the room, taking everyone in. They’re all smiling, likely swooning from Kellen’s words and from his commitment to be a part of this conversation.
“I love you, and you love me, right?” he asks, garnering my attention.
“Yes… right.” I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience.
“Two people who love each other trust each other too.”
That right there makes things very clear. “Yes. I trust you implicitly.”
Kellen’s hands come to my face, and he peers down at me. It’s just me and him at this moment. “Then trust me when I tell you, I hear what your family is saying, and I don’t think there are any expectations you’re not meeting. More than anything, they miss you. They’re proud of you and the decisions you’ve made. And if I’m reading the room right, and I think I am, they admire and respect what you’ve done with your life.”
I’m so lost in his eyes, but his words wash over me with the sting of truth. It stings because I realize I’ve not been able to see this for myself. I’ve been so mired in my guilt.
Guilt over Molly’s death.
Guilt over the death of my show career.
Guilt over not being able to win one more championship with Lunar, which would have meant a lot to our family business.
And… guilt for not listening to what everyone was really trying to tell me.
I blow out a quavering breath, put my hands on his wrists, and draw him to me for a soft kiss. “I love you. Thank you for being real with me.”
“Anytime,” he replies and then presses his lips to my forehead.
Releasing him, I turn to my parents. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t,” my dad says and pulls me into his side. My mom’s arms come around me, and next thing I know, lots of arms are around me. I look up through the throng of siblings and parents, and my eyes lock with Kellen’s.
He grins and looks satisfied with himself. He solved the estrangement in our family, just by being my rock. And I hope he trusts that this reunion will not lead me away from Pennsylvania. I’m staying wherever he is, and if he leaves Pennsylvania for some reason, I’ll follow.
But as I snuggle into my family, I vow I will come back and visit Blackburn Farms often.
EPILOGUE
Kellen
A lot has happened in the last seven months. Hellman took a plea deal, giving up the names of those higher up in the sex trafficking syndicate, and was sentenced to six years.
I hired an attorney to deal with Adriana, and we finally ironed out the paperwork. She paid me for my initial investment in the business and is now completely gone from my life.
With a lot of hard work, Abby secured medical treatment for every single dog from Hellman’s kennel operation and helped coordinate successful adoptions for each dog. This included us bringing home one more puppy that she simply fell in love with. Abby named him Spud, and he and Roscoe are as thick as thieves. They’re also rotten and mischievous and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Princess and Bubba, though, still rule the roost.
Speaking of roosts… Abby has moved into my place. More room and all. She’s now full owner of the veterinary clinic and has hired one other vet to help with the ever-growing practice. She’s been featured in a lot of news stories as the angel who rescued all the mill dogs, so business is booming. The barn has been rebuilt, and Abby paid for it since arson was the determining cause and insurance wouldn’t cover.
Ethan fronted her the money as a loan against her trust, but with an initial funding of five million upon her birth, the barn repair won’t set her back.
Not that the money matters. Abby is content exactly where we are, doing exactly what we do. I’m more in love with my job at Jameson than ever, and I think it’s safe to say that we’re settled in to stay. Best of all, Abby repaired the relationship with her family, and we’ve been back to visit a few times.
Our current visit is particularly special because Abby is doing something no one thought she’d ever do again.
She’s back in the show ring.
We’re at the Shelby County Fairgrounds for the start of the show season, and Abby is riding one of Blackburn Farms’ horses. I’m not even sure how it came about, but one day as she was riding Lunar and I was watching—because I’ve decided I’m better at watching than riding those huge things—she announced that she wanted to show again.