We sit at the dining table as Clem retells his story to Rebecca. I find myself holding her hand during the difficult part of losing Ellie. Tears stream down Rebecca's face. When Clem finishes, she throws herself into his arms, hugging him tightly without any restraint.
"You've always been special to me, and now I know why," she says between sniffles.
"And you're the reason I've stayed on for so long. It's been a joy to watch you become the beautiful woman you are now. Don't sell yourself short, Becky. You deserve happiness. I know all you've ever really wanted was to be loved." At that, she glances at me. "I believe you two have some things to discuss." Clem kisses the top of her head and pats me on the shoulder as he passes to go out the door. Then there is just Rebecca and me in the silence with the ticking of the wall clock counting out the seconds.
"Mason, I need to explain . . ." When I open my mouth to object, she cuts me off. "No, please, just let me do this. I want you to know the reason I left you in that hospital room. It wasn't because I was embarrassed of you. It was then that I knew I loved you. I couldn't let you risk your life for me. I don't deserve you, so out of love, I made the choice to end it."
I walk over to her, place my hands on her hips, and pull her up against me. Without a word, I kiss her deeply, hungrily. When I come up for air, I say in a voice rough with emotion,
"You walking away hurts the most. If you love me, don't ever do that to me again. I need you." I kiss her again. "I want only you." Another kiss. "I love you. Stay with me." She nods her head 'yes' and throws her arms around my neck, kissing me back in earnest.
YOU ARE READING
Harvest of Love
RomanceWhen Mason Harper decides it's time to find his place in life, he didn't expect it to be on a tobacco farm bunking with a meddling old man or falling for the farmer's daughter who seems to only want to play with his heart. But things aren't always w...
