“You should know, even though I found out the truth, I consider you my mom. Bethany is my aunt and a friend.”
Her mom squeezed tighter. “Thank you for saying that.”
She pulled away, her own eyes glistening.
“You should give Bethany another chance,” Gabby said. “She’s really nice.”
“I’ll—consider it. I assume you’ll let us know about the job interview?”
“I will.” Gabby gave them both a final hug. “I love you both.”
She stepped out into the early summer air and inhaled. It was the kind of day that seemed like the sun was shining just for her. It felt so good to get things out in the open, to make up with her parents, to be moving on. Now to get her bag and head for the airport.
She swiped her phone and looked at the selfie Adrian had taken of them during their disastrous bout of baking. His face beside hers, the smirk, the twinkle in his eyes, the swoop of his hair, they were all hardwired into her. The time she’d spent with him on his family’s ranch had been the best few days of her life.
The prospect of the interview was rattling enough, but seeing Adrian again? Gabby was downright punchy.
He might reject her, that much she knew.
But he might not, and she was banking on that option.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ADRIAN BOPPED HIS FISTS TOGETHER as a way to dispel the energy coursing through him. Rita offered him a Dr. Pepper, but he declined. He’d probably spill it all over the place with the way he was quaking. Rita blended in with the other men and women in suits in the board room. Some sat in the gathered swivel chairs, but most were standing and staring up at the screen the way Adrian was.
His whole company was based on the outcome of today. The market hadn’t yet rebounded. If the numbers didn’t show, he’d have to let off a hundred employees. He couldn’t do that to them.
Fists clenched, chest pinched, he stared at the large screen as numbers flickered in their columns. He’d reallocated funds. He’d made phone calls, adjusted investments, and made exorbitant promises he only hoped he could keep. Today was the day to see if his efforts would pan out the way he’d planned.
“It’ll happen, sir,” Rita said encouragingly, offering him the same can of Dr. Pepper. This time, Adrian took it and sipped gratefully, unable to take his eyes from the screen.
Ten more seconds. Eight. Five. Two. One.
The numbers shifted, and the margin flickered from red… to black.
The room exploded with cheers. Adrian’s chest soared. He’d done it. He’d gotten Bear Financial Investments back on its feet.
His associates clapped him on the back, passing from the room with congratulations and appreciative nods in his direction.
“Thanks for all the hard work,” Gerald from marketing called.
Adrian saluted him with his Dr. Pepper and then tipped it back for a much-needed gulp. He didn’t realize how thirsty he was. Not only that, he was suddenly exhausted. So much emotional and mental strain and tension trying to recuperate after the crash. It was definitely taking its toll.
Rita seemed to feel it too. She pushed a few of the wheeled chairs back toward the table. “Congratulations, sir.”
“Thanks, Rita.”
“Anything else you need from me? If not, I think I’ll head home for a soothing bath.”
He smirked, still trying to wrap his mind around this outcome. He’d been so stressed, so worried, unsure of what he would do if his efforts hadn’t worked. But they had. They had worked, and now it was time to breathe a little easier.
“We’ll need to alert the employees. Send out a notification that the crisis has been averted.”
“That can wait until tomorrow, can’t it?” Rita said. “Sounds to me like I’m not the only one who needs to take a little time to celebrate. Go home, sir. Kick back. Watch some TV, do whatever it is you do to celebrate.”
He blinked a few times. Celebrate? The only person he wanted to celebrate this victory with had remained silent for weeks. But he was on a high from his victory. He’d salvaged his company and saved hundreds of people from losing their jobs.
Was there a chance he could salvage things with Gabby too?
“Rita, there is one more thing I need before you go.”
She yawned behind her hand but pulled out her phone, ready to mark it in. “And that is?”
“A flight.”
If she was surprised, she didn’t show it. “Where to, sir?”
“Wisconsin.”
He’d told Gabby he wouldn’t initiate anything unless she wanted it. But he couldn’t keep that promise now. She’d been right about him. His life in Montana had been a good fit. He’d thought Chicago fit him like a fine suit, but now that he was back, the city was starting to feel a little too tight.
He stared out the window of his office high rise, getting the same sense he’d had since he came back here. Something was missing. For all its fast pace and grandeur, Chicago was lacking something. He was out of place here, like a chair he couldn’t completely sink into.
With Gabby’s help, he’d seen the cabin, the ranch, for what it really was. He’d appreciated the seclusion of it, the magic of nature enveloping the town and the home he’d once despised. The tranquility of the horses and the majesty of the mountains and fields. Opposite from his sense of feeling misplaced, it was like a chair made just for him.
He wanted that. He could make it work, living in Montana, flying out to Chicago when he needed to. What else was the Internet for?
In that moment, two things were suddenly absolutely certain in Adrian’s mind—
He wanted to go home.
And he didn’t want to go there alone.
***
Rita had his jet ready, and Adrian was packed within the hour.
Adrian stepped off the plane and straight to the rental car Rita had arranged. He followed the GPS to the
