Page 68 of Reclaimed Roots

Remember, my little cricket, you are stronger than you know. Trust your heart; it will always guide you home.

All my love,

Dad

I looked up at Jasper. "Come in," I choked out, stepping aside to let him enter.

Jasper hesitated briefly before crossing the threshold. His familiar scent wrapped around me, stirring up a maelstrom of emotions.

He closed the door behind him. We stood there in awkward silence. I clutched my father's letter to my chestuntil I registered the paper crumpling between my fingers. Then I smoothed out the creases and carefully tucked it into my pocket. This was the kind of letter you kept for a lifetime.

"Nat," Jasper started, pushing a hand through his hair. "When your mom told me you left... Christ, it felt like seven years ago all over again."

His words unlocked everything I'd been holding back since I fled Sable Point. "I'm so sorry," I sobbed. "I thought I was protecting you, but I see now how wrong that was. I just wanted to prove I could fix things." It was only after I'd stopped speaking and saw the smirk on Jasper's face that I realized I'd slipped into Korean for my rant. "Oh, shit. Sorry. I said?—"

"I know what you said. And you have nothing to prove," Jasper said in flawless Korean.

I blinked, my mouth hanging open in shock. My heart stuttered, and I struggled to find words.

"How do you—you don't speak Korean." The words tumbled out, more accusation than question.

"Oh, but I do."

Chapter Twenty-Nine

JASPER

"Your dad taught me.When you moved away, he missed having someone he could speak Korean with. So I asked him to teach me, and he did."

The look of love and awe on Natalie's face nearly brought me to my knees. Her shimmering brown eyes locked onto mine, sending a pang straight through me that made my stomach flip and my legs tremble. My eyes were drawn to the soft curve of her lips. I could almost taste the sweetness of her breath. My fingertips tingled. I longed to trace the delicate line of her jaw, to feel the warmth of her skin beneath my hands.

"I can't believe you did that for him."

I shrugged a shoulder. "He was like a father to me. You know that. We spent a lot of time together while you were gone. He's the one who taught me how to manage all the books. Guess I did a shit job, though, since I missed the problems we're dealing with now."

The words evoked a bitter mixture of grief and self-loathing that threatened to choke me. I couldn't bring myself to look at Natalie. Instead, I focused on the worn floorboards beneath my feet, tracing the patterns in the wood grain.

Natalie's tremulous reply was barely audible. "Jasper, it's not your fault. You did everything right. Everything you sent over to him was perfect. But..."

"But what?"

I watched as her brow wrinkled. She looked like she was struggling with herself, fighting to get the words out.

"When I went through everything, I noticed that he started making errors when he got sick. They were small, but over time, they added up. It's not just the Ever Eden account either. I've been going through all his files. They're a mess."

I sucked in a sharp breath. "Shit, Nat. I'm sorry. I should've given you a chance to explain. I know you're carrying a lot. I should've been there for you."

I wanted to comfort her, but I didn't know how anymore. All I could do was stare at her helplessly. The gulf between us, carved by seven bitter years apart, felt wider than ever.

But I'd be damned if I let her go again.

Get her back.

"Natalie, I don't wanna go another seven years without you. Fuck, I don't wanna go another seven minutes. If you wanna stay here in the city, then I'll stay. I'll follow you anywhere. I should've come for you then. I won't leave you now."

Her eyes widened, and her face crumpled. For a moment,I thought she might cry, but then a slow smile spread across her face, lighting up the room. "You'd really do that? Leave Sable Point? The orchard?"

"In a heartbeat. You're worth more to me than any piece of land or family legacy."

---