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He laughs, setting me on my feet and pulling me into a tight embrace. “You belong here with me. And I won’t let a bear or anything else get to you.”

His words set my heart soaring, and I wonder if he means permanently. And if he asked me to stay, would I actually do it? Considering someone just tried to kill me when they thought I was asleep, it doesn’t seem like the most prudent decision.

But if he wants to be with me, how can I walk away from him – again?

As a teenager, I was certain that he was my forever. I had hearts in my eyes and absolutely no real-world experience. When a heavy dose of it hit me like a ton of bricks, I stopped believing in fairytales and picture-perfect futures.

I was all set to marry a man who I was compatible enough with, but who never set my heart racing like Gavin does, even after all these years. Settling is just something I assumed adults did, or you could spend your whole life chasing the possibility of better.

Sometimes,good enoughis what you need to move forward.

But then our first hard challenge threw us for a loop. Instead of looking into our relationship to find peace, I focused on wanting a baby at all costs while he shopped for his next partner. We weren’t committed enough to try and overcome obstacles together.

Gavin is different.

My heart is screaming at me that he isitand I’d be crazy not to try again if he’s willing. But our whole lives together would be one obstacle after another. From everyone hating me to leftover resentment from the past to having to rebuild broken trust – it’s overwhelming.

It’s too much.

Sometimes, clean breaks are best for everyone. But this time, I’m not going to hurt him. I’m going to continue being open and honest about my plans, even if they no longer include him.

Gavin takes my hand and leads me over to the guys, who are holding the brightest flashlights I’ve ever seen.

And guns.

They have lots of those, too.

“What’s going on?” Gavin asks.

Cameron shrugs. “The hounds were howling like mad and woke us up. We came to check it out, but can’t find anything wrong.”

“They smell and hear something we don’t,” Gavin replies. “Where are the guardian dogs?”

“Still with the cattle,” Cameron replies. “None of them came to alert me, so the livestock must be fine.”

“Alright,” Gavin says. “Get the hounds and they can show us what’s up. I’ll grab a rifle from my truck, and we’ll do a full sweep of the property with the dogs leading the way. Ashley, go inside the cottage, please.”

It’s the last thing that I want to do, but I’m useless with a gun and would only get in their way. If there’s a real threat, I appreciate that armed men are going to look for it. But I also hate being left alone when I’m scared, and whether the threat is a bear or a man, it’s terrifying.

This is just another reason why I’m not tough enough to live here full time.

Victory goes hunting, fishing, and camping with Cade – she always has. They’re a perfect pair whereas Gavin and I have very different interests.

But sometimes that’s okay, too. You don’t have to do everything together to be a good couple. There are lots of paths to happiness.

I just don’t know if he wants to walk down the same one as me.

Gavin leans down and kisses me again, and it fills my heart with joy that he’s so willing to show affection in front of his friends and employees.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he murmurs.

At least that answers my question. I’m not sleeping alone, and it almost makes up for him sending me away now.

“I’ll just grab some stuff from my cottage and we’ll meet at your house?” I ask.

“Sounds good, babe. The door isn’t locked.”

Gavin gives me a final kiss before jogging back to his truck to get a gun. I wish that I also had one, even though I’d be just as likely to accidentally shoot myself as I would be to hit a threat.