All of Me (Men of the Midwest #2)

Prologue

prologue

PHOTOGRAPH - ED SHEERAN

OWEN - JULY 26, 2014

I’m standing in the middle of Darling Ridge Farms, the sun low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the fields. As I step outside, the air envelops me with its thick and heavy texture, making it feel as though I’m wading through a dense fog. The scent of fresh hay and rich earth fills my nostrils, a powerful aroma that reaches deep into my chest, leaving a lingering presence that clings to my every breath. The late afternoon seems like it could last forever, with time slowing down to appreciate every detail.

It’s been over a year since he died, but here I am, back at the farm, like no time has passed at all. Except… it’s different. There’s a stillness, an emptiness that feels wrong. It’s the kind of quiet that makes you think something is watching. Waiting.

This place looks the same—fields stretching as far as the eye can see, the big oak tree standing sentinel by the house, the barn doors slightly ajar—but the air carries weight, a sense of something unfinished.

The gravel crunches under my boots as I walk toward the barn, every step slower than the last. My heart pounds in my chest, but I don’t know why. I’ve walked this path a hundred times before, with Uncle Teddy beside me, his laughter booming across the fields, always ready with some story or lesson.

This time, it’s just me.

As I near the barn, I hear it—a voice. Low, steady, familiar. I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. I tell myself it’s just the wind, or maybe my memory playing tricks, but deep down, I know. It can’t be. My feet move on their own, pulling me closer to the open barn doors. The inside is dim, shadows playing tricks on my eyes. As I step inside, the voice becomes clearer.

“About time you showed up, kid.”

The hair on the back of my neck stands at attention, and I stop dead in my tracks. I know that voice. I’d know it anywhere. I turn, and there he is—Uncle Teddy. Sitting on the old wooden bench by the wall, just like he always did after a long day’s work. His hands rest on his knees, weathered and strong, his face lined with the same calm smile I remember. He looks exactly as he did the last time I saw him—alive, full of life. But I know better. He’s gone. He’s been gone.

“Teddy?” I manage to choke out, my voice barely a whisper.

He grins, shaking his head. “Who else would it be?”

I take a step toward him, my chest tight with disbelief, with a sense of grief that never really went away. “You’re… you’re here?”

He leans back, crossing his arms over his chest, his blue eyes sparkling with that same mischievous look he always had when he was about to give me hell. “Where else would I be? This is my place, Owen. This is home. But it can be your home too… You know that.”

His words linger, hanging in the still air like a challenge. My throat tightens. I blink hard, trying to wrap my head around what’s happening. I take another step forward, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“I miss you, man,” I finally say, my voice breaking.

Teddy’s smile softens, he nods, as if he’s been expecting those words. “I know, kid. I miss you too.”

“I’ve been trying to figure it all out,” I say, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “I’m making progress, but there are days when I feel lost.”

Teddy tilts his head, his expression thoughtful. “That’s life, kid. You never figure it all out. But you’re doing good. Better than you think.”

I laugh, a short, bitter sound. “Am I? Sometimes I feel like I’m barely holding it together.”

Teddy stands then, walking toward me, his boots scuffing against the dirt floor of the barn. He places a hand on my shoulder, and it’s warm—solid. The touch grounds me, makes me feel like I’m not dreaming, even though I know I am.

“You’ve got a good woman, Owen,” he says, his voice soft but firm. “And you’ve got those kids of yours. You think I don’t see how far you’ve come? You’ve built something here. Don’t forget that.”

I swallow hard, nodding. “I know. I just… I wish you were here to see it. To be a part of it.”

He squeezes my shoulder, locking his eyes with mine. “I am, kid. I’ll always be here. In this place. In you. You carry me with you, whether you realize it or not.”

I close my eyes, trying to hold onto his words, to the feeling of his hand on my shoulder. When I open them again, he’s gone. The barn is empty. Quiet. The weight of the silence presses down on me again, and I know it’s over. The dream is slipping away, the colors fading, the sounds muffling into nothing.

Just like that, the moment is gone.

The room is quiet, the soft morning light filters through the curtains, casting a pale glow across the bed. I’m left with the weight of the dream–Teddy’s voice, his words echoing in my head, that strange mix of comfort and longing clings to me like a second skin. For a moment, I lay staring at the ceiling, trying to shake the lingering feeling of the weight of his hand on my shoulder. It felt so real. Too real. But now, the farm is gone, and I’m in the bed alone because Callie’s already left.

I turn, reaching for the spot where she sleeps, but the sheets are cold, her side neatly made. I run a hand over the fabric, feeling the emptiness settle into my chest again. I knew she’d be gone when I woke up—she left early to get to the Van Damme Hawkridge Estate to prepare for the ceremony—but that doesn’t make it any easier. It’s not just that I miss her; it’s that I wish I could share this moment with her, tell her about the dream, about Teddy, about how strange it all feels.

Then I see it—a small note folded neatly on the nightstand beside my phone. I smile, reaching for it, already knowing it’s from Callie. Even before I read her words, I can feel her–the way she always finds a way to anchor me, even when she’s not here.

Owen,

By the time you read this, I’ll already be at the estate. I know you’ll tease me later for being superstitious, but it’s our wedding day!

I’ve waited for this moment, dreamed about it more times than I can count. But no dream could ever compare to the reality of us. Today, I get to walk toward you, toward the life we’ve built and the future we’re creating together. I still can’t believe how lucky I am to love you and to be loved by you.

So, you know the deal—don’t come looking for me until I’m walking down that aisle. Stay out of trouble and save some of those nerves for me, because I’m feeling them too. It’s going to be perfect, not because everything will go off without a hitch, but because at the end of the day, I’ll finally be your wife.

I love you more than words could ever say. You will forever be my always.

Always,

Callie

P.S. Thank you for last night. It was incredible.

My wife. Almost.

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. Even now, she knows exactly what I need to hear. The way she anticipates my every thought, my every doubt, it’s like she’s in my head. I carefully fold the note, running my thumb over the words, trying to absorb them. She’s always had this way of grounding me, even in moments like this—when everything feels too big, too overwhelming. I place the note back down on the nightstand, a small smile tugging at my lips. The weight in my chest lifts, replaced by something warmer, steadier.

It’s crazy how much I miss her already, and she’s only been gone a few hours. That’s the thing about Callie—her presence fills every room, every space. Without her here now, the emptiness feels more pronounced, like part of me is missing. But she’s right—it’s going to be perfect. Today is going to be everything we’ve waited for, everything we’ve worked toward. All the late nights, the long talks, the moments when we didn’t know if we’d make it this far. They lead us here, to this day.

The door creaks open, breaking through my thoughts. I turn to see Barrett standing in the doorway, his pajamas wrinkled, his brown hair a mess. He’s rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep. Without saying a word, he toddles over to the bed and climbs in beside me. Instinctively, I pull him close, wrapping my arm around him. He snuggles into my side, warm and solid, his small body fitting perfectly against mine.

“Is today the day?” he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep.

“Yeah, buddy. Today’s the day,” I reply, brushing a hand through his tousled hair.

He sighs, content, and burrows deeper into the blankets, his little hands gripping the edge of my shirt. For a moment, everything else fades away—the anticipation, the nerves, the enormity of what’s to come. Right now, it’s just me and my son, sharing this quiet moment before the world shifts around us.

I glance down at him, taking in the peaceful rise and fall of his chest. My thoughts drift back to everything we’ve been through in the last year or so, everything that’s happened since Callie and I decided to build this life together. The ups and downs, the challenges we’ve faced, and the joy that’s come with it has been a whirlwind. Through it all, we’ve found this rhythm, this sense of family that feels so right.

I think about Callie’s girls Sara and Ruby—how much they’ve changed me, how much I’ve come to love them. It feels like they were destined to be in my life. The thought fills me with a kind of pride I can’t put into words. Those two beautiful girls have shown me what it means to love unconditionally. After today, I will officially be their bonus dad.

Today isn’t just about me and Callie. It’s about all five of us. Our family. I never thought I’d get to this point, where I’d feel so sure, and so excited about the future. But here we are, on the edge of something incredible. Something that will change our lives forever.

Barrett shifts beside me, his little face pressed against my chest, and I hold him a little tighter. Today is going to be a big day.

As I bask in this tranquil state, I am overcome with a newfound clarity. The remnants of doubt and uncertainty dissipate, replaced by a profound sense of purpose. I realize that my dream was not merely a figment of my imagination, but rather a guiding light, illuminating the path ahead.

With every breath I take, I am reminded that I am not alone on this journey. My uncle’s presence, though physically absent, resonates within me, urging me to embrace every opportunity, to chase my dreams with unwavering determination. This sense of tranquility becomes my anchor, grounding me amidst the turbulence of life’s challenges. I find solace in the knowledge that I am exactly where I am meant to be, on the precipice of greatness, ready to unfold the chapters of my destiny.