29. Home

29

Home

Ivy

Can heartbreak dull your senses? Because nothing tastes the same since I’ve come home. All my senses were heightened in Winter Heights, and here, everything is bland.

I’ve been dragging myself to work like a zombie these past few days, and I’m glad that my colleagues are tiptoeing around me, acting like I’m a ticking time bomb. That way, I don’t have to talk to them. I’m turning into Zane, and the weird thing is, I kind of like it.

On top of losing my senses, I think I’m also in need of a mental checkup.

Today is my day off, and I’m content to spend it on my couch with a carton of ice cream, watching yet another romcom. I wish I could be as brave as the heroines on my TV screen. They go after what they want, even if it means they’ll get their heart broken.

The truth is, I’ve been debating going back to Winter Heights and telling Zane I love him, that I could move there so we could give our relationship a try. But I’m just not strong enough. Besides, I don’t think I could recover from a third heartbreak if I get there only to find him with Sofia.

He was still nursing his breakup when I met him. Of course he took her back. Why wouldn’t he? Because of a girl he met ten days ago?

I dig my spoon into the vanilla-pecan ice cream and close my eyes as it melts on my tongue. But the usual crackling of my taste buds doesn’t come. It never does anymore.

With a sigh, I try to focus on the movie again. The hero is getting ready to perform the grand gesture to get the heroine back.

But because the Universe hates me, someone knocks at my door at the exact same moment. Can’t I enjoy anything ?

I drag myself to the door, telling myself to be nice to whoever it is even if I want to make them disappear.

But when I swing the door open, it feels as if all the blood drains from my body. I take a step back, widening my eyes further to make sure I’m seeing this right. Zane Harden. On my front porch.

“Ivy,” he breathes out, and I have to blink twice to make sure I’m not having some kind of hallucination. He takes my hand, and a tingle courses through me, confirming that he’s really here. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t feel that spark of electricity if it wasn’t real.

“I’m so happy I found you,” he says. “I’m sorry about everything. About Sofia. I should have gone after you right away. I came the next day, and you were already gone. But Ivy, I love you. I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone in my life. I promise you, there is nothing between Sofia and me anymore. From the moment I met you, you were the only girl I could think about.”

I suck in a breath, trying to make sense of everything he’s saying.

“We haven’t known each other for long, and it’s weird that I just jumped on a plane for the first time ever to come here, but there's something between us, Ivy. It was more than just a vacation fling or a rebound.”

He wipes the back of his hand on his cheek, and I realize he’s sweating. Like, a lot. How is it possible that even sweat looks sexy on him?

My eyes trail down his body, and I notice he’s majorly overdressed for the weather. He’s wearing a flannel shirt that looks way too thick for the Florida heat, a thick pair of jeans, and the same boots he wore in Winter Heights when we went wine tasting.

“I—you’re not with Sofia?” I stammer, unable to form something more coherent.

He squeezes my hand. “No. Going back to Sofia never even crossed my mind. I haven’t thought of her in that way since the moment I met you.”

My heart leaps, and I have to blink again to make sure I’m not dreaming.

“If you feel the same,” he says, swallowing hard before gazing at me with those intense gray eyes, “if you’ll have me, I’ll move here, and we can give our relationship a try.”

My chest tightens. “What? But what about the farm?”

“Seth can take over,” he says simply. “He’s a fast learner, and the transition won’t take too long.”

I bite my lip, my mind reeling. He’s ready to give up his farm, his dogs, his house, just for me? The thought makes me dizzy, and I lean on the door for support. Maybe I was wrong about being second choice. For once, I’m not just the consolation prize. I’m the real deal. And if Zane is ready to take such a giant leap, I can take a small one. Me moving to Colorado makes way more sense. It’s not like I have anything holding me back here. But knowing that Zane would give it all up for me sends shivers through my entire body.

“Or I could come?” I suggest, tilting my head.

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“I could come back to Winter Heights with you. I have nothing here, and you have everything there. I don’t want you to give up Bruce’s legacy for me. Besides, I love the dogs and the town. I’ll be happy there.”

“Ivy,” he says, wiping the perspiration from his forehead before pressing it against mine. I smile at the gesture. I would have taken his sweaty brow, but it’s so thoughtful of him. Funny how the grump I met ten days ago has turned into the perfect gentleman.

His chest is heaving up and down. “Are you sure?”

“I am, because I feel the same about you.”

With a huge grin, he pulls me into a tight embrace. Like he’s making sure I’ll never leave again. As if I wanted to. Our lips touch, and with every brush of his lips against mine, he tells me how much he wants me. That I’m his first and only choice .

He breaks our kiss, caressing my cheek and looking into my eyes.

“Are you sure you want to move in with me?” he exhales. “Because my offer still stands.”

“One hundred percent,” I say, leaning into his hand. “Everything that happened between us, and the circumstances that led me to Winter Heights, it’s all fate. I’m sure of it. We found each other there, and it was the best time of my life. I don’t want that to end. Plus, what’s a Siberian husky like you going to do here in sunny Florida?” I joke.

“I’d turn into a summer dog if I needed to.” He chuckles, taking my hands in his to bring me closer before placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

I intertwine our fingers. “No need. I just have to find myself a job, but in the meantime, I can help around the farm. Maybe you can even turn me into a musher.” I say, waggling my eyebrows. I would actually enjoy that a lot.

“Or you could still be a nurse?” he says, cocking his head. “You saw how slammed Claire was at the clinic. There used to be two, but Anita retired last summer, and Claire needs the extra pair of hands. I know the mayor’s been trying to fill that position for months, but applicants don’t come easy in Winter Heights.”

The moment he suggests it, I can immediately picture myself working there with Claire, coming home to dinner with Zane, helping with the dogs around the farm—and, of course, sneaking tons of puppy cuddles. Maybe there really is something about us Clark sisters only meeting our matches on vacation and moving away to start a new life. Maybe I’ll have my happy ending after all. This is all so new, but the way Zane is looking at me right now holds a promise of forever, just like my heart pounding in my chest. “That would be perfect.”

“It will be perfect either way,” he says, placing a sweet kiss on my lips. “Because you’re coming home with me.”