Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Graham
I stand at the back of the crowd gathered for the opening ceremony, my heart hammering against my ribs. The morning sun bathes everything in golden light—the flowerbeds we planted together, the future community center, the rows of vendor booths already busy with festival-goers.
Lila stands on the small stage with Mayor Thompson, looking perfectly composed in a dress patterned with spring flowers. If last night's argument left any marks, they're hidden behind her professional smile as she discusses the festival's importance to our community.
My father catches my eye from his seat in the front row, gives me an encouraging nod. Beside him, Hazel smiles knowingly. They're the only ones who know what I'm about to do.
"And now," Mayor Thompson's voice carries over the crowd, "we'll hear from some of our other organizers?—"
"Actually." I step forward, my voice stronger than I feel. "I'd like to say something first."
Whispers ripple through the crowd as I make my way to the stage. Lila's eyes widen, then narrow. I catch fragments of conversation: "...leaving town..." "...just like before..." "...poor Lila..."
I take the microphone, turning to face my hometown. "There've been some rumors going around about me lately. About why I'm back in Juniper Falls. About whether I'm planning to leave again." I meet Lila's gaze. "I think it's time to set the record straight."
The crowd goes quiet. Even the birds seem to pause their morning songs.
"Twenty-nine years ago, I left this town chasing what I thought was my dream. I wanted to play baseball, to see the world, to be something more than Joe Hart's son from Juniper Falls." My voice catches. "What I didn't realize was that sometimes our dreams change. Sometimes what we're really looking for has been here all along."
I gesture to the garden around us. "Look at this place. A month ago, it was overgrown, forgotten. But with care, with patience, with the right person believing in its potential..." I swallow hard. "Every flower here tells a story. The azaleas Lila insisted we save. The coral bells that remind me of her grandmother. The dogwood tree where I carved our initials, probably breaking about twelve town ordinances."
A ripple of laughter runs through the crowd. I see Hale grinning from behind his store's booth, Tessa beside him looking suspiciously misty-eyed.
"Yesterday, I was seen meeting with a realtor. And yes, I was looking at property." I turn fully to Lila now. "A few miles down the road in Elk Ridge. Because I'm expanding Mountain Green Landscaping. Creating something permanent. Something with roots."
Understanding dawns on her face, followed quickly by confusion.
"Li," my voice softens. "Twenty-nine years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life. I left without giving us a real chance. I was young and scared and stupid. But standing here now, I know exactly what I want." I take a deep breath. "I want to build gardens that make people smile. I want to have coffee with my dad every morning and listen to his terrible jokes. I want to be part of this community that's somehow found room in its heart to give me a second chance."
Sarah Miller sniffles loudly from somewhere in the crowd.
"But most of all, I want you. Not as a safety net or a temporary anchor. Forever." My hands shake slightly on the microphone. "I love you, Lila Bloom. I loved you when we were seventeen, and I love you now. More, because now I know exactly what I'd be losing if I ever let you go again."
The morning air hangs still and expectant. I can hear someone's wind chimes in the distance, the soft buzz of early bees in the flowerbeds.
"I can't promise I'll never make mistakes. But I can promise I'll never stop trying to be worthy of a second chance. Of our second chance." I gesture to the garden we created together. "These flowers will bloom again next spring, and the spring after that. I plan to be here to see it happen. The only question is..." I meet her eyes, putting everything I feel into my next words. "Will you be here with me?"
The silence stretches for a heartbeat. Two. Three.
Then someone in the crowd starts clapping.
The applause fades into expectant silence. My heart pounds so loud I'm sure everyone can hear it. Lila stands perfectly still, one hand pressed to her lips, and for a terrible moment I think I've misread everything.
Then she moves. One step. Two. Her eyes never leave mine as she crosses the stage.
"You're really staying?" Her voice is barely above a whisper.
"Try getting rid of me."
"In Elk Ridge?"
"Twenty minutes away. Close enough to have coffee every morning, far enough that the whole town won't know what time I leave the house."
A smile tugs at her lips. "You bought property?"
"Signed the papers yesterday. A little shop with good bones and enough rooms to have my kids come to visit. Needs some work, but..." I shrug. "I know a good gardener."
"Graham Hart." She takes another step closer. "You are the most infuriating man I've ever known."
"Is that a no?"
"I let my fears get the better of me." Her hand comes up to rest against my cheek. "I was so scared of losing you again that I almost pushed you away."
"Li—"
"I'm not finished." Her eyes shine with unshed tears. "You're not the only one who's been in love for twenty-nine years. Even when I was angry, even when I tried to move on, it was always you."
Someone in the crowd—it sounds suspiciously like Betty Watson—lets out a happy sob.
"So yes," Lila continues. "Yes to coffee every morning. Yes to building something permanent. Yes to blooming together, season after season."
I pull her close, not caring that we have an audience. "I love you," I whisper against her hair.
"Show me," she challenges, eyes sparkling.
So I do. Right there under the flower arch we built together, with the morning sun warming our shoulders and the scent of spring blooms in the air, I kiss Lila Bloom like I should have twenty-nine years ago. Like I plan to do for all the years to come.
The crowd erupts in cheers and whistles. I hear my father's gruff "About time," and Hazel's delighted laugh. Through my peripheral vision, I see her dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, looking entirely too pleased with herself.
Lila pulls back just enough to meet my gaze. "You know this means you'll have to help with the festival every year now."
"Looking forward to it." I trace the curve of her smile with my thumb. "Though next year, maybe we plant fewer azaleas."
"Not a chance." She grins. "But I might let you add some of those practical shrubs you love so much."
"Compromise. I like it."
"You better." She links her fingers with mine. "Because you're stuck with me now, Graham Hart."
Mayor Thompson clears his throat behind us. "As touching as this is, we do have a festival to open..."
Laughing, we step apart. I keep hold of Lila's hand. The crowd gradually returns their attention to the ceremony, but I notice Sarah and Betty wiping their eyes, and Hale giving me a thumbs up from his booth.
Later, there will be time for details. For combining our lives and planning our future. For all the everyday moments that make up a life together. But right now, standing beside the woman I love in the garden we created, I know one thing for certain.
I'm finally home.