Last Day #2

“A true father,” I continue, speaking with so much emotion I can’t stop a few tears from escaping, “doesn’t clip his child’s wings—he encourages him to use them.

My father was incredibly protective of me after my mother’s death because he was afraid of losing me too, but he never held me back when I chose my path.

He never made excuses to keep me by his side—he just caught me when I made mistakes and cheered me on when I reached my goals.

He was there for me when I needed him. We may sometimes go a while without seeing each other, but I know I can always count on him.

That in his arms, I’ll always find home.

Because that’s what love and family are about, Mr. Odell—opening your hands and letting your children fly.

If you’ve done it right, you’ll know they’ll come back to the nest; if not, you’ll lose them forever.

But it won’t be the children’s fault. If I work for my father now, it’s because I chose to, not because he demanded it.

I already told you that. And if you can’t see it that way, then I’m wasting my time with you.

” I pause to try to calm down—I think I’ve gotten more worked up than I intended.

“First thing tomorrow morning I’ll present my proposal—my father’s proposal.

Take whatever time you need to review it, and when you’ve made a decision, call me.

I have nothing left to discuss with you, Mr. Odell. Have a good day.”

I turn to leave, prepared not to see him again until he hands me back the signed papers, because as I feared, all of this has become far too personal for me and if I don’t pull away now, I’ll end up saying or doing something that will derail the entire project.

And while I want to help Haven, I don’t intend to let my father down.

“Miss Hardwick,” he calls. I stop but I can’t look him in the eye yet. “Bring those papers to my house this afternoon. Don’t say anything to my son—this is between you and me. And stop calling me Mr. Odell. I’m Barnaby.”

A hopeful smile crosses my face, but I don’t let him see it.

I nod to let him know I’ve heard and leave the cemetery, heading straight to the inn.

He’s given me an opportunity and I can’t waste it.

I spend what’s left of the morning going over every point of the contract until I’m satisfied with the proposal.

He can’t say no. He mustn’t say no, or I’ll have failed.

I ignore every call from Haven because I don’t want to lie to him and because I know I mustn’t be a hypocrite.

If I told his father that love is freedom, I need to practice what I preach.

I’m not going to give him the power to choose his future only to tell him afterward to stay by my side.

That’s not how it works—I won’t influence his decisions.

Whether he stays or goes, it will be because he wants to.

And although I’ve always known this, I can’t deny it hurts now.

He crept into my life almost without me noticing and changed it forever.

“Well, girl, it’s time to negotiate.”

That’s how the man greets me when he opens his front door to let me in.

And for three long hours we don’t stop talking until we reach an agreement.

I think it’s the first time since I’ve been working for my father that I’ve ended up this physically and mentally drained.

But for the first time as well, I feel proud of what Barnaby and I achieved together.

His contributions are as surprising as they are beneficial for both sides.

As I store the original in my briefcase, it sinks in that my work here is done and I don’t know how to feel about it.

“Will you be leaving now?” His question brings me back to reality.

To a reality where I must make a decision.

If I stay, I risk running into Haven and having to tell him the deal is done.

And that would mean discussing a future for us—something I’m not ready for.

Besides, Haven needs to choose freely what to do with his life, now that nothing ties him to his mother’s company.

But if I leave, I’ll never see him again, and I don’t think I like that either. However, I know it’s what I must do. It seems the weekend at his house was our goodbye, though neither of us knew it at the time.

“Would you give something to Haven for me?” I ask.

“He won’t like that you didn’t say goodbye in person.”

“I know, but I can’t do it. What would happen if I saw him… What kind of person would I be if I did to him what I’ve been trying to stop you from doing?”

“A person in love.” His answer surprises me, not for what he said, but for how true it might be if I let it.

“Love is freedom,” I tell him, before picking up pen and paper, resolute.

The letter—perhaps too short for what Haven deserves—doesn’t take me long.

I know exactly what I need to say to him, even if it doesn’t match what I truly want.

He deserves to have control of his life and I’m giving it to him.

With the contract and with the letter. “Please give it to him tomorrow. There’s no need to mention I need that head start to leave.

” He nods and, to my astonishment, hugs me and kisses my cheek the way a father would, with affection. With pride.

“I hope that someday my son’s path will cross yours again,” he murmurs before letting me go.

That’s what I fear, because the way we’re going to part isn’t ideal. I’m a coward who’s running away and there’s no way that looks right no matter how many times I turn it over or try to justify it by saying he deserves to choose. I’m not giving him any options when it comes to us.

I leave the inn a couple of hours later with a suitcase heavier than when I arrived.

And I’m not talking about clothes, but about the kisses and caresses I’ll never be able to forget.

I’m taking passionate sex, laughter, smiles, tears, and frustration.

I’m taking self-improvement and, above all, experience.

When I arrived in this town, I didn’t think my stay would change me, but it has, and in so little time that it surprises me.

I came as a lawyer devoted to her work and I’m leaving as a woman with new priorities in life.

And I owe that to Haven. Yet another reason to let him soar high without me.

He has the right to be whoever he wants and do what his heart tells him, without conditions.

I step on the gas and don’t look back. If I do, I’ll probably end up turning around to go back to him for one last night together.

But that’s precisely what I must avoid because I doubt I could leave afterward.

When I know I’m far enough away, I use the hands-free to call my father and occupy my mind with something other than Haven.

Even though it’s past ten at night, he answers on the second ring.

Corbin Hardwick is the man who never stops working.

“It’s done, Dad,” I state.

“I knew you’d pull it off, sweetheart.” I hear pride in his voice. “Everything okay? Any problems?”

“Everything’s perfect. He was resistant at first, but we’ve reached an agreement that will benefit everyone.”

“Good.” I can almost see him nodding, satisfied.

“Dad,” I say on impulse, “I never thanked you for letting me make my own mistakes. I don’t think I appreciated it until now, and I feel I owe you a lot.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Debra.” A short silence settles between us. “Are you sure everything’s all right?”

“Yes.”

“Then why doesn’t it sound like it?”

“Don’t worry, Dad,” I sigh before continuing. “I just need those vacations you keep insisting I take.”

“Fair enough, but we’ll talk when you’re back.” And from the way he says it, it’s not a suggestion. “We’ll have breakfast together,” I promise. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, Debra.”

And that’s how life goes on, inexorable.