Page 62 of Falling Back to You

“At the rate they’re going, it probably will.”

“Then I’ll pull the fire alarm or cut the electricity at the chapel.”

“Everyone thinks they have all the time in the world until they don’t.”

“I’m working on working things out.”

Dial’s thoughts at our impromptu movie night had been enlightening. Just saying you loved someone wasn’t enough. Going forward, everything I did would be with intention. I didn’t want to spend another year apart, and when I thought about all the time we’d wasted, it made my stomach turn. If she wanted to be pursued, I’d start chasing. Not in a creepy way, in a…

I actually don’t know how to make that sound less creepy, but you get my drift.

“The Birch kids are good stock. Polite, career-driven, overachievers. If you don’t make that girl my daughter-in-law, I will adopt a son who will.”

“Could we change the subject, please?”

“You always wanna change the subject when it comes to Dial.”

Because the subject of Dial was sensitive. We’d failed at love. Dial was my forever—I just hadn’t thought it would be forever annoying, forever avoiding, forever pushing me away. Love is easy to fall into and a son of a bitch to get out of. Try as I might, Dial was always on my mind. Sometimes it was a fleeting flash from years ago, of our families going apple picking when I was thirteen. Other times it stopped me in my tracks as I recalled her laughing into my chest, or morning showers together to conserve the limited supply of hot water.

“Any word on the Texas property?” If I could get my mother to align with me, we might be able to tag-team my dad into changing his mind.

“I’ve never seen your father so stressed out. There’s a lot to be done overseeing the construction, lining up vendors, staff interviews, and making sure we stay on budget. He keeps saying things have changed since we built our ranch from the ground up all those years ago.”

“If we hired a project manager, that would alleviate a ton of his stress, and mine.”

“This is a family business, and who better to care for that business than us?”

“So you’re with Dad—you think I should move to Texas?”

“Sweetie, of course I’d miss you, but it would be excellent leadership training for the future.”

“One minute you’re encouraging me to get my family back, and in the next breath you’re suggesting I leave them all behind. Make it make sense.”

“It’s a year. And Dial’s better now. She can handle Maple for a few months, and when she needs a break, Fancy, Reese, or I can step up.”

“Dial shouldn’t have to parent alone.”

My mother’s voice dropped to a whisper as she leaned in. “Is there a concern? Are we concerned? Her mother told me she’s doing much better.”

“This isn’t about Dial. It’s about me wanting to be present for my child.”

“Your father is adamant it be you. And, frankly, I don’t think you’re considering the long-term impact. Texas will solidify a legacy for Maple. The revenue we make will ensure that she gets to do what she loves for a living, not what she has to do for survival. Plus, she and Dial can come visit on weekends and holidays. You don’t give up one to accomplish the other.”

I was always expected to suck shit up, blindly follow orders without any consideration for the effect it would have on me. My parents were hardcore, which was why Fancy was a famous country star. Fancy liked to sing, and my mother had dragged her to every fair, mall grand opening, and ribbon-cutting ceremony to perform. It was like free will didn’t exist in this family. And I was the male child. Sure, I had dreams separate and apart from working on the ranch, but none of it mattered because my life was predetermined.

“Whatever you decide, it needs to happen quickly, because plans have to be put in place.”

“And if I say no?”

My mother fidgeted with her chunky necklace. “I imagine your father would be disappointed.”

“We wouldn’t want that,” I muttered.

After pulling up to Birch Farm, I hadn’t even stepped out of my truck before Cyrus was on my ass. “Where are the materials? They should’ve been here a week ago.”

“How would I know? Did you ask Dial?”

“I already told him the same thing,” Dial called from the porch. “The order was placed, but the tracking stalled in Gainsborough.”