Page 83 of Falling For You

Owen’s face flashed in my mind again, and I didn’t try to push it away this time. The sadness was still there, but so was something else—a sense of closure.

He had made his choice, and now, I was making mine. I wouldn’t let him, or anyone else, take away the things I loved.

I watched as everyone disappeared into the night, leaving me to stand alone in the quiet. The air was cool, and the stars werejust starting to peek through the twilight sky.

I took a deep breath, letting the stillness wash over me.

Tomorrow would be a fight.

A fight for my family, town, and everything we stood for. And I wasn’t going to let anyone take that away from us.

Not even Owen.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Violet

It was early morning in Buttercup Lake, and the town was already buzzing with excitement. Standing outside the coffee shop with my piping hot latte, I stared at the growing crowd. I couldn’t even comprehend what was genuinely taking place.

We had done it.

Last night, I was so exhausted that I slept like a log, but I knew what I’d dreamt about.

And I didn’t understand any of it. Sure, Abby’s talk with me wedged its way into my psyche, but there was also a part of me that probably hoped he meant some of the things he did and said.

But this morning wasn’t about any of that. Today, we needed to create awareness about the impending mega-resort, a colossal structure that would dwarf our quaint town and threaten the very essence of Buttercup Lake, next tomy family’s lodge. We couldn’t let it get squashed like an ant in a few years.

When I lay in bed last night, I thought about the math. The resort would probably take a couple of years to build and then a year or two to gobble us up. So, realistically, we had four or five years before things looked bleak?

Was that the silver lining?

I shook my head and looked at the people from all over the town. We had shop owners, teachers, farmers, andeven a few kids skipping their early-morning classes to join in.

It was a powerful moment.

I spotted some clever slogans on signs and smiled.

Millie was standing across the street with a steaming thermos of coffee in one hand and a sign that readMega-Resort-Free Zone!in the other.

“Millie!” I called out, waving. “Thanks for getting so many people involved. I can’t believe they woke up early for this.”

Millie turned and flashed me a wide grin. “Ah, we wouldn’t miss this for the world, Violet.” She shook the thermos playfully. “Want some?”

I laughed. “No. I’ve got my latte for now!”

She patted my arm and winked. “Watch us go.”

Liam stood next to Evie and chatted as she held aSave Our Town!sign.

The sight warmed me up, and I smiled. I wondered if my brother had made any headway with her.

“Liam!” I shouted, making my way over. “I see you roped poor Evie into the cause.”

Evie chuckled. “Actually, it was Millie who called last night.”

I laughed. “Seriously? That woman is magical.”

“She might be,” Evie nodded, glancing at my brother. “I’m sorry about what happened with Owen.”

---