Chapter 14

14

Chloe

Sitting at the small table in the cottage’s kitchenette, I clutched the worn photograph, my vision blurred by a fresh wave of tears. The smiling faces of my mom and siblings stared back at me, forever frozen in a moment of joy that now felt like a lifetime ago.

A sharp knock at the door jolted me from my memories. I hastily wiped at my damp cheeks and took a shaky breath, trying to compose myself.

“Come in,” I called, my voice betraying the emotions I was desperately trying to hide.

The door creaked open and Mason stepped inside, his handsome face bright and cheerful, until he saw my own. Immediately, his features became etched with concern. His gray eyes met mine and I looked away, not wanting him to see the pain I knew was written all over my face.

“Hey,” he said softly, taking a step closer. “What’s wrong, Chlo?”

I forced a smile, but even I could tell it was unconvincing. “I’m fine. Just . . . thinking about some things.”

Mason’s gaze drifted to the photograph still clutched in my hands. Understanding dawned in his eyes.

I couldn’t bring myself to say anything more. The lump in my throat made it hard to breathe, let alone speak. Mason seemed to sense my inner turmoil. He crossed the room in two long strides and gently took the photo from my trembling fingers.

“This your family?” he asked, studying the image.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Mason looked up at me, his expression soft with empathy.

“They look like good people.” He handed the photo back to me. “I can see where you get your smile from.”

Despite myself, I felt the corners of my mouth lift ever so slightly. Mason always seemed to know just what to say.

He rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes never leaving mine. “Listen, Chloe, I know we haven’t known each other that long. But I want you to know that . . . if you ever need someone to talk to, about anything . . . I’m here.”

His words were like a balm to my aching heart. I blinked back fresh tears, overwhelmed by his kindness.

“Thanks, Mason,” I whispered. “That . . . that means a lot.”

He nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. For a moment we just looked at each other, an unspoken understanding passing between us.

But then I shook my head, and tried to downplay the whole thing. “It’s nothing, really.”

He took a step closer, his gray eyes searching mine. “It doesn’t look like nothing.”

I hesitated, my heart pounding. Could I trust him with the truth? With the memories that haunted me?

Mason reached out, gently placing a hand on my shoulder.

Something about his touch, his sincerity, made me want to open up. I took a shaky breath. “I . . . I had a flashback earlier. At Sunshine Acres.”

He nodded, encouraging me to continue.

“It brought back memories of my family. Of how much I miss them. They’re . . . they’re not around anymore.” My voice trembled, and I looked away, blinking back fresh tears.

Mason’s eyes darted back to the photo and his hand tightened on my shoulder, a silent show of support. “I’m so sorry, Chloe. I can’t even imagine how hard that must be.”

I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to spill out my entire tragic history. “It’s just . . . some days are harder than others, you know?”

“I get it,” he said softly. “Grief isn’t a straight line. It’s okay to have bad days.”

His words were like a balm to my battered soul. I looked up at him, seeing the genuine care and understanding in his eyes. He smiled, and despite the heaviness in my heart, I felt a tiny spark of warmth.

We simply existed there for a moment, the silence between us comfortable rather than awkward. I realized then how much I’d come to rely on Mason’s steady presence in my life.

Maybe I wasn’t ready to share everything with him yet. But for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had someone I could truly trust. Someone who would be there for me, no matter what.

And that thought gave me the strength to keep going, even on the hardest days.

I cleared my throat, breaking eye contact as I struggled to find the right words. I couldn’t tell him everything. Not yet. But I could share something. A step, even if it was a small one.

“It’s not just the flashback, though.” My voice wavered slightly. “I thought I was doing better, you know? Moving forward. But then something as simple as a stuck door sends me spiraling again.”

Mason’s brow furrowed with concern. “Chloe, I’ll say it again. Grief isn’t a straight path, and healing ain’t either, for that matter. They’re full of twists and turns, ups and downs. You can’t beat yourself up over the bad days.”

A choked laugh escaped my lips. “Easier said than done, Mase.”

He smiled ruefully. “Ain’t that the truth.” His expression softened. “But I mean it, Chlo. You’re one of the strongest people I know. I don’t pretend to know all you’ve been through, but I can tell it was a lot. I can tell it would have taken out plenty of others. But you survived. The fact that you keep pushing forward, even when it feels impossible? That you smile and shine brighter than the sun, even when your heart hurts you so? That takes real courage.”

Tears blurred my vision, and I ducked my head, trying to hide them. But Mason wasn’t fooled. He gently tugged me into his arms, enveloping me in a warm embrace.

I stiffened for a moment, unused to the comfort. But as Mason held me, murmuring soothing words, I felt myself relax, the tension draining from my body.

“It’s okay to let it out,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

And with those simple words, the dam inside me broke. I clung to Mason, sobs wracking my frame as years of pent-up grief and pain poured out of me.

Through it all, Mason held me steady, a solid anchor in the storm of my emotions. His hand rubbed gentle circles on my back, a comforting rhythm that slowly calmed my racing heart.

As my tears subsided, I pulled back slightly, sniffling. “Sorry,” I mumbled, swiping at my damp cheeks. “I didn’t mean to fall apart on you like that. ”

Mason shook his head. “You don’t ever have to apologize for showing your feelings, Chloe. I’m here for you, in whatever way you need me to be.” He hesitated for a moment. “I know there’s more to your story than you’re letting on. And that’s okay. You don’t have to tell me everything right now.”

I swallowed hard, my eyes searching his. “Mason, I . . .”

But the words died in my throat, the weight of my past still too heavy to bear. Images flashed through my mind—the blood, the screams, the shattered remnants of my once-happy family. How could I burden him with such darkness?

“I want to. I really do. It’s just . . . it’s not easy for me to talk about.”

He nodded, his expression full of understanding. “I get that. Believe me, I do. But whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here to listen. No judgment, no pressure. Just an open ear and a shoulder to lean on.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes once more, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. Gratitude for the incredible man standing before me, offering me his unwavering support and acceptance.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

Mason’s lips curved into a gentle smile, his thumb tracing the outline of my jaw. “You’re not alone anymore, Chloe. I promise you that.”

I leaned into his hand, savoring the warmth of his skin against mine. In that moment, I felt a connection forming between us, a bond that went beyond mere friendship.

But even as my heart swelled with affection for this kind, compassionate man, I couldn’t shake the fear that lingered in the depths of my soul. The fear of revealing too much, of exposing the scars that I’d worked so hard to keep hidden .

Still, there wasn’t a single part of Mason that made me feel like I couldn’t trust him.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “You know, you really are the best man I’ve ever met,” I said softly, my eyes locked on his.

Mason’s lips quirked into a half-smile, but there was a flicker of sadness in his gaze. “I don’t know about that,” he murmured, shaking his head. “I’m far from perfect, Chloe.”

“Nobody’s perfect,” I countered, my hand finding his. “But you . . . you’re kind and caring and honest. And you’ve been there for me, even when I’ve tried to push you away.”

He squeezed my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I’ll always be here for you, Chloe. No matter what.”

We stood in silence for a moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air between us. Then, Mason cleared his throat, his gaze turning distant.

“I know what it’s like to feel broken,” he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion. “When Abby’s mother left . . . it shattered me. I felt alone, worthless, like I wasn’t enough for her to stay.”

My heart ached for him, for the pain he’d endured. “Mason . . .”

He shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. “But then I realized that I had to be strong for Abby. She needed me, and I needed her. And the ranch . . . it became my solace. A place where I could forget the hurt and just focus on the present.”

I nodded, understanding all too well the need for a sanctuary. A place to escape the ghosts of the past.

“Abby’s lucky to have you,” I said softly, my fingers intertwining with his. “And so am I, even if it’s just as a friend.”

Mason’s eyes met mine, and in that moment, I saw a glimmer of hope in their depths. I let myself feel it too. I could say we were friends all I wanted, but lord almighty, I wanted Mason Bridges in every way I could have him.

The timing just wasn’t right.

Mason cleared his throat, a hint of nervousness creeping into his expression. “Actually, there was another reason I stopped by today.”

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Oh?”

“Yeah, I wanted to invite you to the Fall Festival tomorrow. It’s kind of a big deal around here. The whole town comes out for it. Abby’s been chompin’ at the bit to ride the rides and win some carnival prizes.”

My heart skipped a beat at the thought of spending more time with both of them. “That sounds like fun. I’d love to go.”

His face lit up, a boyish grin spreading across his features. “Great! It starts at five, but I figure we can head over at a quarter of because Abby will just bounce off the walls till I take her over anyway.”

I laughed, already excited for it. “Perfect.”

With a final smile, he squeezed my hand and made his way towards the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Chloe. And remember, I’m just a phone call away if you need anything.”

As the door closed softly behind him, I sat down at the table, leaning back in the chair. In the span of a single conversation, Mason had managed to break through walls I’d spent years constructing. And while the thought of letting someone in still terrified me, I couldn’t deny the warmth that blossomed in my chest at the memory of his touch, his words.

For the first time in longer than I could remember, I allowed myself to hope. To believe that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as broken as I’d once thought.

My gaze drifted back to the photo, the smiling faces of my family staring up at me. The weight of their loss still hung heavy on my heart, but the sharpness of the pain had dulled, ever so slightly.

I traced a finger over my mother’s face, remembering the way her eyes would crinkle at the corners when she laughed. She’d always been the strong one, the glue that held our family together. And now, sitting in the silence of my cottage, I could almost hear her voice whispering in my ear.

“You’re stronger than you know, Chloe,” she’d say, her hand resting on my shoulder. “Don’t let the past define you.”

A single tear slipped down my cheek, but this time, I didn’t brush it away. Instead, I let it fall, a silent tribute to the love I’d lost and the strength I was slowly reclaiming.

Outside, the black night was broken by the moon, a reminder that there was always light, even in the darkest places.

And as I sat there, surrounded by the quiet of my cottage, I felt a flicker of something I hadn’t experienced in years: peace. It was tentative, fragile, but it was there, a tiny flame in the darkness of my past.

I knew I still had a long way to go, that the road to healing was never a straight line. But for the first time in longer than I could remember, I didn’t feel quite so alone.

Mason’s words echoed in my mind, a promise of understanding and support. And though the thought of opening up to him still sent a spike of fear through my chest, I couldn’t ignore the part of me that longed for that connection, that craved the comfort of his presence.

I took a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs, and with it, a sense of determination. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, that there would be setbacks and moments of doubt. But I also knew that I couldn’t let my past define me forever.

I stood up, the photo of my family still clutched in my hand. I traced my fingers over their faces, a bittersweet smile tugging at my lips. They would always be a part of me, but I had to find a way to honor their memory while still moving forward.

I thought of Mason, of the way his laugh was infectious, of the gentleness in his touch. He had his own scars, his own demons to battle, but somehow, that only made me feel more connected to him.

I knew I wasn’t ready to share everything, not yet. But I also knew that when the time came, when I was ready to face the darkness of my past, Mason would be there, a steady presence by my side.

I took one last look at the photo, then carefully placed it back on the shelf. I couldn’t change what had happened, but I could choose how I moved forward. And with a heart full of hope and a mind set on healing, I knew I was ready to take that next step.