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“There you are, Mollie-bear.”
“Here I am,” I said.
“It’s nice to see you catching up with everyone. I bet you miss them out in Strawberry Springs.”
I actually didn’t. I barely thought about these people. “Yeah, kinda.”
“Come outside with me, Mollie. We need to talk.”
A pinprick of nervousness made its way back into my stomach, but I followed him to the backyard. It was a cool night. Cars rushed by on the nearby road, creating a white noise that Strawberry Springs didn’t have.
“It’s been a few months now,” Dad started. “Longer than we expected.”
“I know, but I’ve been working hard.”
“You have. But it’s not the same as being in the office. You’re missing out on a lot.”
I crossed my arms. “Is this where you tell me to come back?”
“You need to,” he said. “I don’t know everything that happened with you and Trevor other than what he’s told me?—”
“He’s told you things?”
“Yes. And I want you to know that I understand how scary it is to commit.”
I blinked. “He said I left because I wasn’t ready to commit?”
“Yes. And what you two had was real. And you’re scared.”
“I . . . I didn’t?—”
“Fear can take on many forms, Mollie. But you two have been together so long.” Dad patted his pocket and pulled out something shiny.
“Is that Trevor’s ring?”
“It’syourring.” He grabbed my palm and turned it over. “He and I have talked long and hard about this. Despiteeverything,he would be willing to take you back and pick up where you left off.”
“I’m seeing someone else,” I said, shaking my head.
“Even so. Hang on to that. You need a reminder of the life you have here. You’ve basically moved there while telling us this is temporary.”
I looked at my feet. Was that what I was doing? Even Cain had asked me when I was going back. And I never had an answer.
“But still?—”
“Mollie,” Dad said, “it’s time to choose.”
“Choose between what?”
“The farm or here. I didn’t want to do this, but Trevor thinks it’ll work. And I’m inclined to believe him.”
“Are you giving me an ultimatum?”
“Yes. Come back to work. To Nashville.Now.You can keep your job and get your fiancé back. Or, you can return to fields and an old house.”
“Dad, come on.”
“We’ve tried being nice. You’re trying to balance two lives here, Mollie. Pick one and stick with it. If you walk out that door and go back to the farm, I’ll have my answer. Then you can mail that ring back to Trevor. I just hope you’re happy with whatever you choose.”