Page 144 of Letters to Molly (Maysen Jar 2)

I’d even given him Bridget’s name. As angry as I was at how she’d treated Molly, I didn’t wish her bad fortune. I knew from the grapevine she didn’t have another job yet, so I’d tossed her name out there as a gesture of goodwill.

“He might destroy everything you built.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “He might. And I’m not going to say that won’t be hard to watch. But I’m not selling this place cheap. He’s coming to the table with a hell of a check. I’m thinking he’s plenty motivated to keep Alcott at the top of its game.”

“Oh my God. I can’t believe this is happening. I’m dreaming. This has to be a dream.”

I walked to my desk and picked up the contract I’d printed yesterday. “Here. Maybe this will make it more real.”

She eyed the papers for a few moments then gave in and took them from my hand. She plopped down into one of the chairs next to my desk, set the contract on top and started scanning. I knew right away when she read the purchase price.

“One point five million dollars. He’s buying Alcott for one and a half million dollars?”

I nodded. “We’ve had a good few years in business.”

“Understatement,” she mumbled.

“With that kind of money, we can pay off the house, set aside a good chunk for the kids and then get creative. Maybe start another business. Together.”

“I don’t want to quit my job at the restaurant.”

“Then don’t. The point is, this gives us the freedom to do whatever we want. And it gives me a chance to right some wrongs. I love Alcott. I always will. I’m proud of what we created here. But it’s time to say good-bye.”

“Are you sure? I mean, really sure? I don’t want you to resent me for this later.”

“This is my decision. And I know in my bones it’s the right one.”

She nodded hesitantly. I gave her time to think on it, to let the surprise of my announcement fade. Molly nodded again, this time with more confidence.

When she met my gaze, it was solid as a rock. “Okay. Then I’ll support you.”

“Good.” I picked up a pen and handed it over. “Then sign on the last page.”

Molly flipped to where my attorney had flagged the signature lines with yellow tags. The pen hovered over the paper as she sucked in a deep breath. Then, as she blew it out, her hand moved, signing her name.

With it done, she pushed the paper and pen my way.

I didn’t hesitate to scribble my name alongside hers, not even a second.

Alcott had been the dream. I’d achieved more success here than I ever could have imagined, but it had come at a price. Molly’s heart.

Somehow, I’d been lucky enough to win it back. And I wasn’t going to risk losing it ever again.

The room was quiet as I set the pen down. We sat there, listening as the air whirled.

“I feel lighter,” I confessed.

She met my gaze, her brown eyes swimming in tears. “So do I.”

We took one last moment to look around the room, then I stood and went to her chair. I took Molly’s hand and led us outside. We got into the Jeep, smiled at the kids and left Alcott behind.

The life I’d had was in the rearview mirror.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Pretty spot, isn’t it?” I asked Kali as we stood on top of the ridge we’d hiked. Beneath us the entire Gallatin Valley was spread out in a carpet of green fields and golden hills. The trees were a fall mix of deep green, lemon lime and cherry red.

“Have we ever been up here before?” Kali asked, leaning into my side.