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“Or …” I pause, taking a moment to catch my breath, “we give them a new president.”

David shakes his head. “We’re not going to let them push you out. This is your company. It wouldn’t be where it is today without you and your vision.”

“I’m not suggesting we let them push me out.” I eye him carefully as he takes a bite of his scone. We’ve never talked about what would happen to the company if I ever decided to step down. Up until this moment, I don’t think either of us ever thought that was an option. “I’m suggesting we give them a new president.”

He chokes on his food and hits his chest a few times before he looks at me. “Who?”

He barks out his question like I’ve just suggested we kill a puppy. I can’t help but laugh. “This isn’t funny, Jess. No one else is qualified to run this company. How could you even entertain such an idea?”

“Because that’s not true.You’requalified.”

“Me?” He furrows his brows and shakes his head.

“Yes, you.” I can’t help but laugh at his surprise. David has always been too modest about his contributions to this business. He’s just as invested in Flathead Apparel as I am. “You’ve been with me since the beginning. No one else knows this company better. It may havebeen my vision, but without you, it never would have become reality.”

“But … I can’t take this from you. It’s your dream.”

“You’re not taking it from me.” I reach across the counter and squeeze his hand. “I’m willingly giving it to you.”

He stares at me in silence, his eyes wide and his jaw tense. He’s more surprised by this suggestion than I expected. I knew it would throw him off a bit, but he has to know he’s the most logical choice.

“Are you sure about this?”

I smile. “I’m positive. I want to be in Watercress Falls. I want to run the vineyard and it needs some serious attention. I don’t want to completely walk away from Flathead Apparel, but I want to reduce my role. Ineedto reduce my role. You in?”

He eyes me like I’ve spoken a foreign language and he has no idea what I’ve said. “Only if you’re one hundred percent certain this is what you want.”

“I’m one thousand percent certain of it.”

He smiles for the first time since we started talking. “Well, all right. Let’s get it done so we can get you back to where you really belong.”

“That sounds perfect.” I pull him in for a hug. “Thank you, David. There’s no one else I’d rather hand the reins to.”

We spend the rest of the morning planning our transition and how best to sell it to the board Monday morning. Once we have our plan in place, we start working out the details of moving my life to Watercress Falls. Permanently.

CHAPTER 22

MATTHEW

Itake a long pull from my travel mug of coffee. It’s way too early to be up, and I haven’t slept worth shit since Jessica left two weeks ago. We’ve texted daily, and we’ve talked several times since she left.

I hate that she’s so far away. It feels like she’s slipping out of my grasp, and if I don’t latch on soon, I’ll lose her forever. I’ve asked her several times when she plans on returning. She’s not given me a clear answer. Only that she’s working on it but it could take up to three weeks.

I can’t imagine how much work it takes to transfer leadership roles of a company like hers. I’m sure it’s not easy. Plus, she’s packing up her life. That takes time.

I’m trying not to worry, but it’s hard.

Taking another sip of my coffee, I focus on the task at hand. I got an early call this morning from one of my clients that a pack of wolves attacked their herd. They lost one cow and have three others that are badly injured.

I finish loading up my medical supplies in the back of my truck when Joseph pulls in beside me. I called him right after I hung up with my client, asking if he could go with me. I’ll need another set of hands for this one, but I can’t call Naomi. She’s got young kids at home to care for and last-minute early morning calls aren’t easy forher. Joseph may not have medical training, but his instincts are spot on, and he's great with the animals.

“Hey, man. Thanks again for doing this,” I say as he steps out of his truck.

He grunts before he turns around and gathers his coffee and hat out of his truck.

“Too early for you little bro?” I laugh. “After all these years on the ranch, I’d think these early mornings would be easy for you.”

“It’s not that,” he mumbles. “Stayed out too late last night at Stocks and Stables.”