Page 64 of Reclaimed Roots

I know you and Natalie have a complicated history. I know she hurt you when she left. But I also know how much you two love each other. It's been written all over both your faces for years, even separated by hundreds of miles.

Don't let pride or fear keep you apart. Life's too damn short for that nonsense. Trust me, I know.

Natalie's stubborn as hell (wonder whereshe gets that from), but she's got a good heart. She's scared, Jasper. Scared of getting hurt again, scared of hurting you. But sometimes love means taking that risk.

I'm not saying it'll be easy. Nothing worth having ever is. But I've watched you two dance around each other for years, and it's time to stop the music and just hold each other close.

You're a good man, Jasper Everton. You deserve happiness. You both do.

So go get her, son. And take good care of each other.

Love,

Edward

I blinked hard, trying to clear the sudden blurriness from my eyes.Dammit, Edward. Even from the grave, you're meddling.

As I folded the letter, something fluttered to the floor. Another envelope, smaller this time, with Natalie's name written on it.

"There's one for Nat too," I said, showing it to Marie.

She looked at the envelope, a sad smile playing on her lips. "My Edward always did like to have the last word."

I tucked both letters into my jacket pocket. "I need to think."

Marie stretched up and pecked me on the cheek. "Take your time, honey. But don't take too long. Some things are worth fighting for."

The cool evening air hit my face as I stepped out onto the porch, clearing some of the fog from my head.

Get her back. But how? After everything that'd happened, was it even possible?

I pulled out my phone and navigated to Natalie's name. What would I even say?Hey, your dead dad told me to chase after you. Wanna grab coffee?

When I got home, I headed straight to the barn. I wanted to make sure I had a clear understanding of this financial shitstorm before I attempted to break it to Dad. I yanked the door open with more force than necessary and stormed inside, breathing like an angry bull. Chase emerged from the shadows, eyebrows raised.

"Woah, who pissed in your Cheerios?"

I shot him a withering glare. "Not now, Chase."

But my brother, never one to take a hint, fell into step beside me. "Trouble in paradise already? I thought you and Nat were?—"

"I said not now!" I rounded on him, fists clenched at my sides.

Chase took a step back, hands raised. "Jesus, Jas. What the hell happened?"

My anger deflated as quickly as it had appeared. For once, this mess wasn't Chase's fault. I closed my eyes and pressed the heel of my hand to my forehead. "She left. Went back to the city.

"Shit." Chase was momentarily lost for words. It was so unlike him it made me look up. His face was uncharacteristically serious. "That's... that sucks."

"Yeah, no kidding. Won't answer my calls, either." The rage that had been boiling beneath the surface since that morning finally erupted. "Fuck!"

With a roar, I spun and drove my fist straight through the weathered barn wall. Pain exploded across my knuckles as splinters of wood embedded themselves in my skin.

"What the fuck?!" Elliot's voice sliced through the red haze of my anger. I turned to see him rushing towards me, his eyes wide with shock.

"Jasper, what the hell?" He grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the barn. "Talk to me, man."

Words spilled out of me in a jumbled rush. "Everything's falling apart! Natalie's gone, she fucking left again. And the orchard—" I choked on a hysterical laugh. "We're going under. We're nearly bankrupt, and I didn't even fucking know!"

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