It had rained all the way through North Carolina and most of Georgia. For the first leg of the trip, Harrison had been excited to help navigate and watch the sights. Then he’d alternated between sleeping and playing video games. Finally, ever since they’d crossed the state border, there had been a symphony of “Are we there yet?” playing every few minutes.
Josh grew restless and impatient as well, the closer they got to his grandmother’s old property. He hadn’t been in ages…but now Rose was there.
From the backseat, Harrison kicked the back of Josh’s seat. “Think Rose has any tortoises? What about dogs? Will she let me play with the pig?”
So many questions. “I don’t even know if she’s going to be there when we show up. But if she’s home, I bet she will.”
“She’ll be there.” Harrison sounded convinced. Josh almost wanted to ask the kid what he knew.
His stomach clenched and knotted every few miles, wondering for the hundred-millionth time if it had been a mistake to surprise her. She’d seemed sad and distant when they last spoke, and the risk of coming here was huge.
She could have moved on already. Clearly, she had a much different life. Now that she had her sister, and her animals, her priorities had changed. The idea of showing up there, of moving his whole life to be with her…
The risk floated a wave of nausea through his gut. What if she didn’t want to see him?
He gritted his teeth and pressed through the deluge, because every time he went over this, the answer remained the same.
He loved Rose. He didn’t want to let her go again. In the battle between driving all this way and risking that she might have moved on, or returning to Colorado and knowing she would definitely move on, there was no contest. And she’d be a lot less likely to reject him to his face. Hopefully.
Besides, he’d promised Harrison a vacation. A real one, not the kind where he was stuck watching lots of movies while everyone fawned over his aunt and uncle’s new baby. Worse-case, they’d hit all the theme parks together, and then find a nice place near the beach to settle, where Harris could make new friends and Josh could lick his wounds.
The sun broke through and the rain cleared as they approached the farm. If that wasn’t a good omen, he didn’t know what was. Not that he’d ever been an omen type of guy, but one took what one got.
He’d barely brought the car to a stop when Harrison undid his belt and ran from the car, shouting, “Pig!”
“Harris don’t— Ah, fuck.” Josh fumbled with his buckle and exited his SUV. Slowly, because unlike his child, he was stiff from the drive.
His grandmother’s farm, which had been empty and dark last he’d seen it, teemed with life. Wildflowers bloomed in boxes on the porch, a duck, some chickens, and a pig roamed in the yard.
Then Rose emerged from the barn carrying a bucket of something. Looking very different than Josh was used to, in her jeans and tank top and with her hair back in a ponytail. She looked beautiful. Amazing, actually. Her shoulders were relaxed and there was a smile on her face.
Rose was happy. Whatever came next, to see the people he loved happy was all he really needed.
He wanted to run and put his arms around her, but he couldn’t yet. She was so busy tending to the chattering animals she hadn’t even noticed their arrival.
Harris handled the announcement for him. “Rose!”
Josh clenched his fists as he watched his little boy run toward what they both hoped was their future. Squeezed them tighter when Rose dropped the bucket of feed in her hand, and every animal in the vicinity crowded around for a taste while Rose put her arms around Harrison.
She turned toward him with a stunned expression. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
He looked around, breathing in the warm, clean air. “I heard there was a great farmers’ market tomorrow morning. Coffee and baked goods. I had to come.”
She laughed. “I’m really glad to see you.”
Harrison escaped from the adult mushiness, running off to pet a baby goat. Josh took the opportunity to wrap his arms around Rose the way he’d been needing to for months. He squeezed her as hard as he dared and breathed in the smell of her.
“I’m so fucking glad you are,” he whispered in her ear. “I thought I was losing you.”
“Didn’t want to get my hopes up. My history with people sticking around isn’t great.”
“That is definitely going to change. I’m sorry for fading out a little lately. We had so much to do to get ready. Had to get Harris finished up at school and put the house in Boulder on the market. And I wanted this to be a surprise.”
“I’m definitely surprised. So…” She pulled back with her lip caught between her teeth. “I’m wondering…uh… You put your house on the market? How long are you staying?”
He nodded to the house. “I seem to recall this place has five bedrooms. Wondered if there might be space for the kid and I? He’d sure love to hang out with the pigs and whatnot. And I’d sure love to hang out with you.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“Or,” he took a step back, “if that’s too soon, Harris and I can rent a place. Our stuff is in a storage facility and won’t get delivered until I give them word, one way or another. Saw some nice beach condos on our way in. Or there’s that little shopping center with the nice apartments, that’s got a drycleaner and a smoothie bar and—”
She silenced him with her lips. And then her tongue, which tasted warm and sweet and a little like coffee.
“No.”
Josh’s heart beat faster. “No to which part?”
“No, you’re not renting an overpriced apartment in town. Not when you already own this place.”
“Oh, so we’re being practical?”
She kicked him gently in the shin. And then kissed him again. He liked the second thing better. “I want you to stay here. If you’re sure. What about, you know, work? And school for Harrison? I’ve been talking to a local rescue about partnering to help fund the animals, but it’s not enough income for a family. We’ve mostly been relying on the kindness of people in the area. Your realtor guy, Gene, he’s been a huge help. I think he might have a little crush on Lily. Either that, or he’s decided hauling straw bedding and animal feed in his expensive car is his new favorite hobby.”
Josh laughed. “Funny, he didn’t mention that when he volunteered to stop by and check in on you guys from time to time. I thought he was just being really nice.” He coughed. “As far as work goes, I had a long talk with Michael. Agreed to take on a role in the company if I could do it remotely. He’s good with that, so long as I fly up once a month or so to check in and meet with people onsite. I managed to quit MetroMedia without using the word ‘douche’ in my resignation letter, so that’s huge.”
Rose raised her eyebrows, looking impressed.
“In exchange for theme park passes, Harrison promised minimal grumbling about the fact that he gets a short summer. School starts earlier here than it would in Colorado. For my part, there’s a ton of paperwork, but I’ve promised to ride some rollercoasters with him once we get settled. He’s excited about a new school, so I think he’ll be okay.”
He smiled, loving the afternoon light shining on Rose’s hair. “You’re welcome to join us, if you like.”
She smiled back. “I do love a good roller coaster. If I can get Lily to watch the animals, I’m in.” She leaned close to whisper, “She’s got an issue with the duck. She accidentally scared him when they first met, and now he follows her around making noises that she’s convinced are threatening.”
The laugh that burst from his chest loosened all the tense places Josh hadn’t realized he was holding stiff. He pulled her into his arms once again. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“Me too. But what made you come now? We talked about a year.”
I couldn’t wait that long. Couldn’t imagine losing you again. I had to come. “I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t take things for granted. I wanted to be with you. Once Harris finished school for the year, there was no reason to wait. He didn’t like his old school anyway, and he loved the idea of living someplace where he could swim year-round. So why not? Most importantly, though, you’re here.”
“Most importantly, huh?”
He needed to kiss her again. “One thousand fucking percent. I wasn’t about to let the day that crazy asshole banged on your door be my last chance to see you. I don’t want just a fling with you, Rose. I never did. I want forever.”
She buried her face in his neck. “If we’re being honest, I kind of wanted forever, too.”
Josh couldn’t think of anything better. “I’m here to give it to you. As much as I can.”
“Dad!” Harrison came running from the house. “There’s a dog with three legs in here and he’s super friendly! You gotta come check it out!”
She smiled up at him. “Sounds like he met our new resident. Tippi. Got here last night and she’s already commandeered my favorite spot on the couch. You coming?”
Something told Josh that years from now, that beaming grin of hers would give him the same buzz it did at that moment. “You bet your ass I am.”
He threaded his fingers through hers as they walked toward the front door.
“You call the dog Tippi because it’s missing a leg? Seems a little insensitive.”
“No, silly.” She nudged him with her shoulder. “She likes to chase birds. I named her after the actress in that Alfred Hitchcock movie.”
“Don’t the birds chase her?”
Rose rolled her eyes. “How about you stop splitting hairs and kiss me?”
He did. And then he laughed. Life would never be lonely or boring again. He could take that to the bank.
He stopped to kiss her again in front of the door to the house. Their house, now. “I love you, Rose.”
“You’re okay, too.” She smiled. “I guess I’ll keep you.”
“Damn right you will.”
She chuckled and squeezed his arm. “I’ve been in love with you for ten years, silly. Now. Come inside and meet everyone.”
Thank you for reading LAST CHANCE FLING! I hope you enjoyed Rose and Josh’s story. And if you could possibly find time to leave a quckie review, I would be ever so grateful.
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