Page 42 of Charm Me

“I bought the Smith cabin years ago. I had it cleaned up and furnished. I intended on coming home a long time ago, but I couldn’t get myself to take the leap. I still ... it’s just I ... Wyatt—”

“Shh.” I brushed her hair behind her ear. Her eyes welled up with tears and I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing her cry. Not with everything that had happened over the past two weeks. She was alive and she agreed to come home. That was all I needed to know at this point. “You don’t have to tell me. All I need to know is you’re coming home.”

“I’ll come home.” She smiled, a tear escaping her eyes.

I stood and kissed her forehead, struggling to keep my own tears at bay. The pain and nervousness in my gut finally settled and relief washed over me. “Clint and Trend are ready to fly out and help pack up what you need from your brownstone. I’ll call Mom and have her alter the arrangements for you at your house. Good?”

She shook her head. “Elise has my keys if you want to get started now, rather than wait until I’m out.”

I smiled and nodded. “Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Thank you.” She squeezed my hand and tugged me toward her so she could kiss me on the cheek. “I’ve missed you. And everyone else. Be patient with me. Okay.”

“Of course.”

I’d do whatever she needed to make sure she was comfortable and safe. She didn’t need to ask. For the first time in two weeks, I relaxed. Abigail was going to be okay and she was coming home.

Now I needed to see Zoe. I’d been distant and quiet while I worked through this with Abigail, and I hoped I hadn’t ruined my chances with her. My guilt over Abigail kept me away, but now that Abigail was going to be fine, I could give Zoe the attention she deserved.

***

SO MUCH FOR BEING RELAXED.

There was so much we had to get done over the next week to move Abigail home. I’d already taken more time off work than I could afford to lose, and I still needed to take off more. Once my brothers, Clint and Trent, arrived, they’d be able to take over the logistics of moving Abigail home. That would free up more of my time to focus on the acquisitions that needed to be finalized. Thankfully, the ranches we were buying were understanding of the family emergency and agreed to wait for me to be able to focus on the transactions.

But before anything could move forward, I had to make sure everything was in order with Glen and see Zoe. This time away from her had been much harder than I’d expected.

I wanted to reach out to her so many times. But between my guilt over not being here for Abigail and my fear that I would chase her away if I dumped my family drama onto her, I’d remained silent.

Our relationship was too new for that kind of shit. If we’d been seeing each other for longer and were both more secure with where we stood, maybe. But I hadn’t been ready to talk about Abigail and how I’d almost lost her.

It was a little after ten in the morning on Friday when I stopped in front of the receptionist desk at One Financial ready to finalize the details for the acquisitions and see Zoe. I wanted to take her to lunch somewhere quiet and private if she’d still have me.

“Mr. Strong. It’s good to see you again. I’ll let Glen know you’re here.” The receptionist smiled and messaged Glen.

I didn’t have to wait long for Glen to come out and greet me. “Wyatt. How are you?”

I shook the hand he held out for me. “Good. Ready to get this over with so we can get back to the real work.”

He smiled and patted my shoulder. “Well, then. Come on back and we’ll get these papers signed.”

It didn’t take long to go over the contract changes and confirm the numbers. Everything had already been signed by the other parties and waiting for my final approval. These acquisitions had been months in the making, and it felt great to finally have it settled. There was still a lot of work in my immediate future, but if all went well, it’d be work that set my family up for generations to come.

“I think that’s it. I’ll send these to your lawyer. Congratulations.” Glen smiled.

“Appreciate that.” A little more of the stress I’d been hanging onto washed away. Strong Valley Ranch was officially the largest cattle ranch in all North America. The Strong legacy was cemented, and I was excited for what the future held for my family.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” Glen asked.

My heart rate increased just at the thought of my next statement. “I’d like to speak to Zoe about the vacation expansion before I head out.”

“Sorry, Wyatt. She’s not in.”

And just like that my heart dropped out of my chest. I needed to see her. “Will she be back soon?”

“Not until Monday. She headed out a few hours ago for her parents’ house.”

“In that case, I guess that’s it.” We shook hands one last time and said our goodbyes.