Do you remember what you said to me the first time I came back to the farm?” “To leave and never come back?” “Probably. But you also said I wasn’t happy. And you were right. I didn’t even realize how unhappy I was. But I was miserable. It wasn’t just because I’d let greed drive me for so long, although that was part of it. I was miserable because I didn’t have you.” “Don’t,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “Don’t do this unless you mean it. My heart can’t take it.” I leaned closer and pressed my palm against her cheek. “I mean it. I love you, Belle.”
