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“I was talking to Leon today, and he said something. It kind of stuck with me.”

Not what I was expecting. “Leon?”

He exhales a chuckle at the surprise in my tone. The song ends, and he takes my hand again, threading my fingers and leading me toward the door.

Outside, the air is warm and humid, and a group of smokers is congregated a few feet away. He changes directions, walking us toward the Chevy.

When we get there, he rotates me so my back is against the door, his arms caging me. “I couldn’t say this before… I didn’t think it was fair to say it and leave, not knowing how long I’ll be gone, what might happen—”

“Stop.” I reach up, putting my fingers lightly against his lips, my thumb touching his cheek.

He catches my wrist, kissing my hand briefly. “It’s so beautiful here, so much more than I expected.” Exhaling, he looks down. “I fell in love with this place, the work, the good times, even the heat. It’s a simple life, but it’s rich.”

Listening to him, I can’t hold back anymore. I blink, and a tear falls. He scoops it away with his thumb. “I fell in love with you. I love you, Noel Aveline LaGrange.”

My throat hurts, and I’m ready to say the words that have been burning in my chest. “I love you.”

It seems to settle him, like he decides in that moment. “I have to leave you tomorrow, but I’m coming back… for you—if that’s something you want.”

I turn his hand in mine, lifting it to my lips this time, kissing each knuckle.

Promises. If we’re making promises, I’ll start with the one I made our first night together.

“I’ll wait for you.” My voice is soft, but determined just like his. I’ve decided, too. “I’ve waited for you my whole life. I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.”

Cupping my face, he covers my mouth with his. We seal our words with a kiss. Our lips part, and his arms move to circle me, drawing my body close against his. Our warmth flows together. Our hearts beat together. Our words are real and true.

“You look so beautiful… your hair, this dress.” He looks down, our love glowing in his pretty eyes. “Do you mind if we call it a night?”

Smiling, I shake my head no. “I only want to be with you.”

We drive home, my head on his shoulder the whole way, and he takes me to my bed. We make love in a way that’s different from the other times. It’s deliberate and slow, worshipful, underscoring the words we’ve spoken with a union so elemental, so human.

He holds me all night, and when I wake the next morning, he’s gone.

Sawyer’s presence keeps me from falling apart the next few days—as do Taron’s constant texts and calls. We Facetime every night at the same time as when we used to sit in my room and talk, his knee against mine, watching me work on my dream.

He looks so good, but I just want to touch his face once more. I just want to feel the warmth of his skin. It gives me strength, but even still, I’m so lonely for him it aches deep in my bones.

The day Sawyer has to leave is almost more than I can bear.

After losing our parents, the three of us formed a bond so tight, I thought we’d never be apart. Of course, we’d get married and have our families, but I always believed we’d be in the same place, nearby each other. We’d bonded through a trauma so intense, how could we be apart?

He tosses his pack in the back of his Silverado and gives Leon a hug. My little brother doesn’t want to cry in front of us. He wants to be a strong man. He tells Sawyer goodbye and takes off, jogging up the hill into the grove.

My brother understands.

“I’ll take care of him.” I blink away the tears, giving him a brave smile.

Sawyer looks really good going off to serve and protect our country. He’s a handsome man. He has our daddy’s dark hair, square jaw, and strong build, and our mother’s full lips and hazel eyes.

Girls in town swoon over him, but he only ever dated Tatum Ray, Mindy’s older sister. When she left to follow her dream of becoming an actress, he put his head down and focused on the orchard.

Now he’s leaving.

He clears his throat and looks over his shoulder toward the groves. “I told Dutch I was leaving the place in your hands.”

His tone is even, decided, but you could knock me over with a feather.