My Greatest Joy (Maplewood Falls #2)

Chapter Twenty-Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

LEVI

DAY 27

It’s the day I’ve been dreading, but it’s unavoidable.

For the past week, we’ve spent as much time together as we could, baking cookies, drinking hard cider, snuggling by the fire, and making love. It’s been a perfect bubble that’s about to burst.

Fallon stirs next to me as I hold her against my chest. My palm rubs over her back, wandering down her spine to her ass. Everything about her is perfect, and I hate that I have to let her leave today.

I’d get on my knees and beg her to stay if I thought she would. She has to return to her life and job in Seattle, and although we could try a long-distance relationship, neither of us has mentioned it. We both know it probably wouldn’t work given that she travels, and I can’t leave Dasher or be away from the farm for weeks at a time. It’s my life, and leaving my family would be impossible.

This is what we agreed to, and I have to respect it, even if I’m dying inside.

“I never wanna get out of this bed,” she murmurs as she inches closer.

I smile at her words, nodding in agreement.

“Me neither, but we have to.”

“Just five more minutes,” she pleads, squeezing her arm tighter around me.

I can’t deny her that, so I stay put.

“Do you think Dasher will wonder where I am?” she asks moments later, sadness coating her voice.

“Probably. He got used to your shit-talking.”

She chuckles. “My clothes are gonna be full of his hair forever.”

“Welcome to being a dog parent where you vacuum three times a week.”

“I wish I was home enough to have a pet.”

“What about a fish?”

She snorts. “They still have to be fed. But I’d probably find a way to kill it, trust me.”

“You could get a cat. They have automatic litter boxes, along with food and water wells. That way you wouldn’t have to worry about it for like ten days.”

“I’d feel guilty leaving it alone that long.”

“That’s how I feel about Dasher when I have to work long days and can’t bring him with me. I just imagine him having the best naps and not giving a shit I’m gone.”

She laughs, then leans up to look at me. “Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m gonna miss that fur ball. And his hot owner, too.”

I wrap a piece of hair around her ear and rub the pad of my thumb over her cheek. “His owner is gonna miss you as well.”

Tears swell in the corner of her eyes, and I catch one before it falls. “Let me make you some coffee and breakfast before you leave.”

“I’d like that. I have to finish packing and take a shower.”

I kiss her forehead. “Perfect, I’ll have it ready by the time you’re out.”

I’m tempted to roll her over and devour her one last time, but we spent yesterday evening saying goodbye for hours. There were so many times I wanted to tell her how my heart was aching, and that my house would forever feel empty with her gone.

But that wouldn’t help either of us.

We’re both already sad as hell that this is ending, so I don’t need to drive the knife deeper.

Just as we crawl out of bed, Dasher comes in and jumps on the mattress. “C’mon, let’s go outside,” I tell him, and he sprints downstairs. I quickly put on some joggers and grab a T-shirt, but then notice which one it is.

“Fallon.” I turn around and show her the same T-shirt she wore the day I caught her in my bathtub. “You should keep this.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. It looks better on you anyway.” I shoot her a wink. “Plus, I have an endless supply.”

She grabs it and presses it to her nose. “It smells like you.”

“My entire house smells like you .” I smirk.

Dasher barks from downstairs, and I groan. “Meet you in the kitchen,” I tell her, then press my lips to hers.

As soon as my foot hits the bottom step, Dasher runs in circles. “Go take your zoomies outside.” I open the door, and he flies off the deck. I leave it cracked so he can come back in when he’s ready. I want to make sure I have enough time to cook Fallon something to eat before she has to make her long journey home.

We went grocery shopping a few days ago, but I still have some of the weird foods she hasn’t eaten, so I’ll have to see if my sister wants it. It’ll only be a reminder that she’s gone.

I start her coffee and get her favorite mug ready. Once she’s done with it today, I plan to clean it and give it to her because I know how much she likes the farm logo on it.

“Something smells good.” She comes down, looking pretty as always in black leggings, boots, and a sweater. Her long locks are pulled up in a messy bun, and her face is freshly cleaned from her shower. Fallon’s gorgeous whether she’s dressed up or down, but I especially love this look on her. Casual and cute.

“Come eat while it’s hot,” I say.

She drinks her coffee and eats her turkey bacon. Dasher sits next to her, begging for some. I refill his water and food quickly so he stops slobbering on her.

“Got everything packed?” I ask, wiping off the counters.

“Yep. Not looking forward to unpacking or doing laundry, though.”

“Yeah, that’s always the downside to traveling.”

“Luckily, I did a couple of loads here, so I won’t have as much to do when I get home. I’m gonna need a couple of days to adjust to the time difference before I have to repack for my next assignment.”

At the mention of where she’s going next, I frown. She’s told me about it, and I’m happy she’s getting to do something she’ll enjoy, but she’ll be three thousand miles away from me.

“At least you’ll get to drink lots of coffee,” I remind her.

She laughs softly. “That’s true. I’ll probably be wired the whole time.”

“I’m sure the article will turn out great.”

“That reminds me. Do you want to give me your email so I can send you the final article before it goes to publication? It’ll be a few weeks until it’s ready.”

“You’re gonna let me read it?” I arch a brow, and she rolls her eyes.

“Of course. I want you to like it.”

I smile and then give her my work email.

“Okay, perfect, I’ll put that in my phone so I don’t forget. My boss is already begging to read the final, but I still need to finish polishing it.”

“Everyone in town is looking forward to it, too.”

“Lovely.” She sighs. “No pressure.”

I spin her chair until she faces me, and I can stand between her legs. “They wouldn’t have sent you here if they didn’t think you could do it justice. I have full confidence in your ability to make this article the absolute best that it can be.”

“You have too much faith in me.”

“None of that self-doubt, my love.” I lift her chin and press my lips to hers. “Finish your coffee, and I’ll load up your bags in your sweet minivan and get it started for ya.”

She laughs, pushing me away. “That beast got me here in one piece, so be nice.”

Dasher follows me around as I grab her bags and carry them outside. It’s cold and sunny, the complete opposite of the day she arrived, so she should have no problem getting to the airport today. I would’ve loved to have driven her there myself.

Once I’m inside, I clean out her mug and dry it off. “I want you to have this,” I tell her. “Take a piece of Vermont back with you.”

“Why are you trying to make me cry? I hate crying.” She sniffs, grabbing it from my hand.

I pull her into my chest, holding her tight as she forces back tears. She’s not the only one, though. My emotions are about to spill over.

“Before you go, I need to say something.”

She leans back and meets my eyes.

“Finding you in my house has been the greatest thing to ever happen to me. You will forever have a piece of my heart, Fallon Joy. Regardless of where our lives take us, I’ll never forget our time together. I want the best for you and hope all your dreams come true. You deserve it and so much more.”

My own tears fall, blurring my vision as I feel her moist cheeks against my fingers.

“You suck, and I hate you for making me cry.” She choke-laughs as she tries to compose herself.

“It’s okay to show emotion, sweetheart. It’s not a weakness.” I kiss her again. “Just don’t tell my sister I cried.”

“I’m going to miss her and your family, too. Finn and Oakley. Everyone. Even the mayor who dresses like Santa.”

“It took a while, but I think we got you hooked on our little town,” I muse.

“It’s the community. You were right from the beginning. It’s the people who make this place so special and magical.”

“It’s going to be a little less special without you here,” I tell her honestly.

“Thank you for… everything . You helped give me holiday memories I can cherish forever. When sadness takes over, I’ll have them to hold onto.”

“I’m happy to hear that.” I take her hand and walk her outside. If she doesn’t leave soon, she’ll miss her flight.

Dasher wags his tail, and she kneels to give him a hug. “I’m gonna miss you, buddy, even though you suck at listening to me. You were a good snuggler.”

I beam, watching Dasher lick her face.

Once she stands, I take her into my arms one final time.

“My house is always open to you, Fallon.”

She nods as she fights back tears.

Then I open her van door, and she gets in, sets her phone in the middle, and buckles. It’s nice and warm for her, too.

Leaning against the frame, I dip down and capture her mouth. Our tongues tangle in a heated war of all the words we can’t say. Cupping her face, I deepen our kiss and moan. She does the same, and I hate that I’ll never hear it again.

When we’re breathless, I pull back. “Drive safe, okay?”

“I will. Thank you again for letting me crash here.”

“Don’t mention it.” I shoot her a wink.

“Bye, Levi.” The sadness in her voice is a punch to the gut.

“See ya, Fallon Joy.”

Dasher and I watch as she rolls down the driveway, and I wave one last time before she’s completely out of view.

“She’s gone now, buddy. Come inside,” I tell him as I walk up the steps, but he’s frozen in place. “Dasher! Inside.”

He keeps watching as if he’s waiting for her to come back. My heart was already breaking, but now it’s shattered, knowing he got attached, too.

When I reach the door, I whistle, and he finally listens.

As soon as I walk into the living room, I feel her loss.

It’s empty and cold.

The farm is closed for New Year’s Day, so I can’t even work to keep my mind busy. Instead, I’ll lie in bed and soak up the last remaining memories we made together.