right person, wrong time.

yours, jo.

Chapter Seventeen

Laurie

I found her in the barn between our childhood homes.

As ever, she looked infuriating beautiful. My mood settled for a moment before the piece of parchment between my fingers reminded me of my task at hand.

I walked closer to her, in attempts to be quiet before a crunch sound broke the silence surrounding us. I looked down beneath my feet.

A leaf.

Brilliant, so much for being inconspicuous.

A shuffle sounded from above, and I shifted my gaze upwards once more to the girl who was now looking up at me.

Her lips broke into a smile, the sight caused my breath to hitch and my temper immediately softened. It suddenly felt incredibly difficult to be angry at her.

"Teddy," she breathed, rising slowly to her feet. She was crouching low looking at something on the barn floor.

I shook my head, Focus Theodore.

"Teddy?" She reiterated. I could sense the hesitation in her voice at my silence.

I pressed my mouth together, frowning.

I needed to contain myself before I said something I'd regret but the words tumbled out before I could really register them.

"Save it Jo."

Her face pulled into startled expression.

"Excuse me?" She says, her voice elevating ever so slightly as if in disbelief of the words that just escaped my lips.

I let out a huff, exasperated. "I said save it, Jo. You always seem to think you know what's best for everyone, don't you?" I snap, my anger rising.

Her eyes narrow, infinitesimally.

"Care to explain Teddy? You're making zero sense right now with very bold claims."

"Really Jo? Really?"

I begin to pace, my hands shaking from the sudden surge of rage coursing through me.

"You're going to play the innocent act? If anyone needs an explanation Jo, it's me!"

I glower at her, waving my hand around, clutching the proof in my palms. Her eyes caught on the piece of parchment, a moment of confusion flittered in her gaze before they widened in shock and realisation.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times, unable to speak. If it weren't for our current predicament, I'd have found her reaction sweet, endearing even but now, it only confirmed what I feared I already knew.

She had kept this from me.

"How- Where- Is that what I think it is?" She says, scarcely breathing. Her fingers clenching besides her waist.

"And what would 'it' be Josephine?" I demand.

She scowls but I could detect the wariness in her gaze. In spite of this, her stubbornness triumphed over her uncertainty and she lifted her chin up, refusing to answer.

Her reaction only fuelled my resolve. I cleared my throat, giving her a heartfelt, menacing glare before procuring the letter in front of both of our eyes.

I began reading the words on the page.

"My dear Teddy, I miss you more than I can express. I used to think the worst fate was to be a wife, I was young and stupid. Now I have changed. The worst fate is to live my life without you in it. I was wrong to turn you down and to run away to New York. I was afraid—"