25. WREN

25

WREN

It's been two weeks since I said goodbye to Wyatt's family. Being back on campus feels wrong. I spent the first few days cleaning out my closet. None of my old clothes felt right after wearing jean shorts and sundresses.

I've taken on more tutoring jobs and buried myself in schoolwork. Anything to keep my mind occupied. If not, I'm constantly thinking about kidnapping Wyatt and driving us back to Rivers Bend.

How about that for something wild and spontaneous?

After a lot of contemplation, internal debating, and lack of communication on Daniel's end, I decided I needed to go to Georgia and handle the situation with him. I don't have the time in my schedule for this trip but it needs to be done.

I also don't have the emotional bandwidth to continue to question and guess what will happen. With graduation looming, my time with Wyatt is coming closer to an end unless I do something about it.

I told Wyatt I was going home for a few days, but I didn't tell him why. Just that I wanted to see my family. I purposefully picked a weekend he would be out of town playing so he couldn't come with me. I know he would have tried.

Honesty, I don't know what to tell him. Until I know how this is going to play out, I don't want to get his hopes up. Assuming he has hopes of us staying together and making something out of what we've started.

We aren't in a real relationship. He isn't my boyfriend. Our agreement ends at graduation or before, if one of us wants out. Even if he decides he doesn't want a relationship with me. If he decides he wants out, I can't get married.

I pull into my parents' driveway and take a deep breath. They were surprised to hear I was going to drive home for a visit. I didn't tell them I was here to speak to Daniel either. That would give my mom the wrong idea.

I find my mom in the living room reading a book. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun, and she is lounging in a blouse and dress slacks. It looks uncomfortable and overdressed for lounging around the house after being surrounded by jeans and cotton shirts at Wyatt's house.

"Hi, Mom," I say.

"Wren, you look great." She takes in my air-dried hair and casual attire of jeans and button up shirt. Not quite what I was wearing on the farm, but more relaxed than I was dressing before. "How was your drive?" She greets me with a hug.

"Uneventful." And it was. Without Wyatt singing off tune or asking me a million questions, it was boring. I missed his enthusiasm for the alphabet game and spotting road signs. Riding in a car will never be the same after having him drive me around for hours with his hand on my thigh.

"Sometimes that is a good thing. I'm so glad you're here. Did you have a nice spring break?" My mom takes my hands and urges me to sit on the couch with her.

"I did. I went with my friend to his family's farm for a few days."

"How was that? It doesn't sound like something you would volunteer to do," she says with a knowing smile.

"It was actually really nice. His family was very welcoming. I was mainly there to help them with resurrecting their farm and business. They were spinning their wheels trying to keep it afloat."

"Let me guess. You showed up with your brilliant mind and came up with a plan to turn things around." Her lips tilt in amusement.

"Something like that," I mumble.

"And your friend?"

"What about him?" I ask, avoiding eye contact.

"Your dad had led me to believe that the two of you were growing closer. He mentioned there might be more to your friendship than casually spending time together."

"I'm not sure how he came to that conclusion by the information I've given him. I only asked him for advice on how to handle some of the hurdles they are facing in their business," I explain.

"He knows his daughter well. So do I. There is something different about you and I have a feeling he has something to do with it. Will you tell me about him?"

I settle myself deeper into the couch cushions. "There isn't much to say about Wyatt. He's the most infuriating man I've ever met. He's messy and loud. He's impulsive. He takes one second to think about the consequences before taking action. He eats entirely too fast."

She is grinning ear to ear. "He's made quite the impression on you. You like him. Do you love him?"

"I'm not sure if that's something I'm capable of doing. But I care about him a lot. It won't matter if I can't figure out a way to get out of this situation with Daniel."

"Wren," she says with a thread of sadness. "You are capable of loving another person. I don't know why you would think you aren't. And if you do love him, which I suspect you do, there isn't a situation with Daniel to worry about."

"What about Mr. Abbott? Dad would lose a lot of business." Not that I think he will continue to work with him once I tell him what Abbott is going to do to Wyatt's family.

Mom takes my hands in hers and squeezes. "Your dad loves two things more than anything in the world. You and me. That has always been the case with him. Losing business will not faze him. If you want to be with Wyatt, then that's what you should do."

"I'm not sure how Wyatt feels about me. I'm not an easy person to love."

"What are you talking about? Why would you say that? "

"It's something I've always thought. I'm so much like dad and you said he was hard to love. I put two and two together." I shrug.

"Wren, honey, I fell in love with your father within days of meeting him. He was so smart and steady. He made me feel safe." She smiles to herself as if she just remembered a private joke between the two of them.

"I lived my life high in the sky. I was like a hot air balloon floating aimlessly until your dad came along and anchored me. If you overheard me saying he was hard to love, it was a comment to a friend in jest or annoyance. He probably abandoned another cup of coffee randomly around the house." That is something he does often. "Loving him is the easiest thing I've ever done."

"I always thought…" I shake my head. "I'm glad that is the case for you and Dad. I'm not sure it's the same for me and Wyatt."

"Have you told him how you feel about him?"

"No. I'm not sure I could."

"Sometimes it's hard to put love into words."

"It doesn't matter. My life is in Georgia."

"Yes, but your heart is in Alabama. You can't live without your heart, Wren."

"What do you suggest I do?"

"First we're going to talk to your dad about this engagement. I don't know the details of their business arrangement. What I do know is that your father will stand by his family. If this relationship needs to be severed then that's what needs to happen."

"Okay. And then?" I question.

"That's up to you. You'll need to figure out what it is that you want and how you plan on getting it. If there's one thing I know about you, it's that when you decide what you want, you don't stop until you get it."

Dad sits in a leather wingback chair behind his large oak desk. For the last hour we have been discussing my future with Daniel, or lack thereof, and his relationship with Mr. Abbott.

I let him know everything Daniel told me about his dad's intentions to get more involved in our company by marrying me off to his son, the fact he is blackmailing his own child, and potentially threatening Wyatt's family.

"He responded to my request to come over for a drink and discuss business. He should be here shortly. Remember to stay calm and don't let him get under your skin. Let him think he has the upper hand. We need to let him talk. Make him believe he is running the show."

"And if he doesn't like that we're calling everything off and severing our relationship with him?"

"Too bad. I've always known Fred was ruthless. It's part of what's made him good at what he does. I won't work with a man who thinks he can come after my family, let alone stoop low enough to target his own child to get what he wants."

"I'm sorry this isn't working out how you wanted." I look down at my hands in my lap.

"I'm not. My gut was telling me something was off with him. It has been for a while which is why I haven't been letting him in on any of my projects. Have you decided what you are going to do after graduation?"

"I'm not sure," I say. My heart is pulling me in one direction, but the idea feels as unpredictable as the wind. Wyatt hasn't asked me to stay. I feel like I'm building my future on sand during the high tide.

Dad opens his mouth to say something but decides otherwise. Instead, he clicks around on his computer pulling up the email I sent him last week. With permission from Jack and Faith, I've given my dad more details about the farm and the future plans. "Tell me more about the business."

"Like I mentioned, according to all the legal documents I've read, once the land is free and clear, the property will be divided equally between the five children."

"Will they want to sell their shares at some point?"

"No. They want to expand and build out the land with other businesses. Willow wants a bakery, and Colt has plans for a brewery."

"I see." He continues to read over the different business plans I composed with what little direction I had to go on.

Faith asked me if I could put together what I would for any other client that was looking for an investor. Then said, " Tell your dad thank you." I don't know if that was her way of asking for help without actually asking or if she knew I was going to ask him to help regardless of a formal request.

"Do you think we should invest in them?" he asks. It's something I've mulled over since I first learned of their situation. I always knew our firm could step in and help because we have the resources, financially and otherwise.

"No," I answer honestly. If he's surprised, he doesn't show it. "If the company helps, they will lose a large percentage of what they have worked so hard to keep. I don't want to do that to them. They need to retain all interest in their business."

"What do you want to do? While your starter plan is brilliant, it's a Band-Aid when what they need is surgery."

While the fact that Fred Abbott is digging for information about the farm behind the scenes escalates the situation, it was my heart that decided this was the right thing to do—not my head.

I readjust myself in my seat. I don't know how he will react to what I'm about to suggest. "I want to be the sole investor. My trust will cover the debt and leave enough to foot the bill for some of the smaller construction projects. It will be enough to get them off the ground and generating revenue again."

"You want to invest?" His eyebrows furrow. "I thought you didn't want to take away a percentage of the company with an investment. "

"I wouldn't be. They would retain complete ownership according to the original agreement of the land when they purchased."

"Wren, I have to advise you against handing over hundreds of thousands of dollars for nothing in return." He pauses. Leaning back in his chair. "It wouldn't be, would it?" he asks, putting together what I knew after one night with Wyatt. "That money is meant for your future and your future is there with Wyatt."

Emotions begin to bubble out of nowhere. I do my best to rein them in. I don't mind crying in front of my dad, but I don't want to look like I just had an emotional breakdown before Abbott gets here.

"He hasn't asked me to stay. However, I wasn't planning on giving him much of a choice." We promised each other before we started our friends with benefits situation that we would remain friends. Even if he rejects me, I will still be there for my best friend.

"This feels like the right thing to do. It wouldn't be without any stipulations. I've thought about it." Using my trust fund and savings isn't what Jack and Faith had in mind when they asked for my help. They were entertaining a partnership. I can't do that to them. "Will you help me with the paperwork?"

"Of course," he answers. There's a loud knock on his door. "We'll talk more about the details later. Remember, give nothing away." I nod. "Come in," he calls out.

I steel my spine and wait for Fred to enter the room. My dad stands to greet him. The energy in the room shifts immediately. For someone who is so eager to be associated with my family, you would think he could hide his disdain a little better.

"Wren, how nice to see you," he says, greeting me.

"Hello." I don't bother getting up.

Fred takes the seat beside me while my dad fetches them both drinks. It's tempting to have one myself but I prefer to have all my wits about me for this conversation.

"If we are discussing wedding plans, shouldn't Daniel be here as well for this conversation?" Fred asks.

"That won't be necessary. Wren and I have been talking. There isn't going to be a wedding," Dad says. He's relaxed in his chair with his scotch while Fred looks ready to erupt.

"It is happening. We decided years ago."

"Years ago when they were teenagers, it was idle chatter. It had no weight to it. You were the one who presented the idea again a few years ago. Why?" Dad's tone is casual. He is doing his best to be amicable. Friendly fire still has a twenty percent death rate. The question is, who's going to shoot first?

Fred's eyes narrow slightly. "They would be a power couple. Together they would run both companies. They make sense together." His hand grips tighter on his scotch. "Daniel cares about Wren. He will be devastated."

I scoff. Dad's eyes dart to me with a warning to stay calm.

"I agree both of our children will make great assets to each of our firms, but they are on different paths. I've gone over the logistics and it's no longer beneficial for us to partner up, personally or professionally. "

Fred's face flushes and his eyes narrow on my dad. "What are you saying exactly?"

"I'm saying that we will no longer be doing business with you. I am severing this connection." My dad leans forward onto his desk.

"You may want to rethink that," Fred warns.

"Are you threatening me? Remember, I have just as many connections in this city as you do. You do not want to mess with me or my family."

Fred stares at my dad silently for a moment. Then he turns his attention to me. "Did you have a nice spring break, Wren?"

"It was fine." I refuse to elaborate or offer him a modicum of ammunition to use on me later. He doesn't know I'm already aware of everything he is about to say to me thanks to Daniel's warning.

"I never thought you would be one to go on vacation in Rivers Bend. There isn't much to that town anymore." He pauses for me to respond. I stare at him waiting for him to continue until it gets awkward. It is an interview tactic I've picked up from watching murder documentaries with Wyatt. Fred will have to fold or reveal his cards. I'm not saying anything.

"Except for your friend. The farmer." His stare is cold and calculating. "It is quite the predicament they have themselves in. I would hate to see them lose everything."

Dad stands and leans on his desk. "Is that a threat? "

"Take it for what you will. I've done my research. That land they are sitting on will make a pretty penny parceled off and developed."

It takes all my strength to keep my mouth closed and to stay seated in my chair. I know that what I want to say will only infuriate him further and push him even more over the edge. I can't do anything that will make him take action against Wyatt's family.

There is only one thing I can say that will stop him but I'm not willing to do that either. We will have to call his bluff another way. I will have to beat him to the punch.

Fred stands and pulls something out of his pocket. He places a small box on the edge of dad's desk. "I'll leave this here. I trust you to make the right choice. If not for you, then for your friend. I'll be watching," he says, before heading toward the door.

"Oh, and Wren, you may want to end your little fling sooner than later. It will be easier. If not, I'll send Daniel up one weekend to take care of it for you. I'll see myself out."

Once he clears the room, I feel like I can breathe again.

"Bastard." My dad curses which is something he never does. It makes me laugh. I'm sure I look psychotic. My dad joins me. It feels good to laugh. It's as cathartic as crying.

It might even be better. Laughing feels like winning. Crying feels like defeat. I won't let that man win this battle. It isn't about me anymore.

Wyatt and I are partners. Maybe not in an official capacity. And it may only ever be friends. I can accept that. What I can't accept is delivering the enemy to his door. He has fought too hard to lose everything because of me.

"I'm not going to let him ruin Wyatt's family," I say, once I get my emotions under control. I stare at the ring box. "If this is what it takes, then I'll do it. I just need to hold him off long enough to get the property free and clear and in their names. Can you start the paperwork with getting the money out of my trust and paying off the debt?"

"It could take a while."

"I know. This is the only way. Otherwise Abbott will call in favors and try to get to them before we do."

"I think it might be best if I handle the correspondence with the Rivers family. I don't want there to be a connection to you until it's necessary. If he's been watching you at school, who knows where else he has eyes. We have to be careful. I can cover all our interactions under a different project name."

"Okay. That sounds smart."

"Can you give me the list of stipulations you have? I will get the papers drawn up for the family to sign when it's time."

"I can do that."

"And Wren. I think you should limit your interaction with Wyatt as much as possible. You don't want to give Fred any reason to make him act before we're ready."

I agree. It would be smart to keep a safe distance. Make it appear that we aren't seeing each other. Considering all I want to do right now is crawl into Wyatt's arms and seek the comfort I know only he can give me, limiting our interactions won't be happening.

When did the guy who only offered a good time start feeling like forever?