Chapter 55
The scent of flowers envelops my senses as I shuffle through the greenhouse. Every pot remains filled with angels. A kaleidoscope of colorful petals, gracing each and every bench. A secret garden created just for me by the person I love most in this world.
Rhett huffs as he drops two large bags of potting soil onto the floor, and I walk over to wrap my arms around him. His hug is warm and inviting as he pulls me closer to his chest and kisses my forehead.
Jelly Bean whinnies outside, weighing in on music this land always seems to have.
Birds chirp and the sound of cattle fill the air like background noise I never knew I needed, but now wish to never live without.
Holding my hand, Rhett pulls me out the door of the greenhouse, brushing the fall leaves off the iron bench just beneath the large willow that cascades around this place like it’s hiding this escape from the rest of the world.
The seat itself is made of wood, but, oddly enough, it doesn’t squeak beneath our weight.
We take a seat and I snuggle into his shoulder.
It’s crazy to me that when I first met him, I couldn’t hardly stand to look at him.
That all I saw beyond a perfect face were problems I wasn’t interested in having.
That I determined his worth based on a cowboy hat and boots, instead of the heart of gold he wears on his sleeve. The heart he chose to give to me.
I tilt my head to meet his full lips with a kiss, returning it to his chest and closing my eyes. A gentle breeze caresses my cheeks, and I feel a closeness with this place. Not only because of the company I share, but the peace it brings me. I think of one of our first interactions and laugh.
Rhett shifts, and I can feel the weight of his stare. “Inside joke?” he questions just as I lean away from him to meet his gaze.
“Remember when I said I’d only take your number for Daisy’s sake, and you said all I had to do was tell the police she found heaven on earth?”
“Sounds like somethin’ a witty, charmin’ guy like myself might say.” A smile tugs at his lips and I playfully bump my body into his.
"Well, I think you were right," I admit, looking up at him, reveling in the warmth of his chocolate brown eyes, his touch. "I don’t think there’s any place on earth closer to heaven than right here."
Lifting my chin upward, he kisses me again, this time lingering on my lips.
I breathe him---those familiar notes of sage and cedarwood.
Beyond the flowers and leaves, Rhett’s scent is now one that makes me feel at home.
I went through life thinking that I needed to fulfill some unattainable achievement to fill my cup, that once I accomplished something I would feel complete.
But when I discovered that wasn’t true, I thought that nothing and no one could ever make me feel whole.
That I was broken china that could never be repaired.
Rhett never set out to fix me. He taught me that I was never truly broken, that I was just trained to believe I was. That all I ever had to be was myself, and, in doing that, I would find not only the right path, but the right people to travel it with.
I’ve since found that happiness can be found in the smallest things.
That your successes don’t have to be big or grand to still be accomplishments.
And the shop is just that. It took me a while to be proud of what I created, but it’s nothing that a new sparkly sign couldn’t fix.
I finally realized that I didn’t need to fit myself into a box.
I didn’t need my life to look pretty, organized, or tidy.
Because life rarely is any of those. It’s wild and beautiful and bright.
And I was only doing myself a disservice by dimming my sparkle, as Rhett recently pointed out.
Now, the place is full of color and fun, a place that I truly am proud of because it finally reflects me.
My smiles are no longer forced. They’re just as warm as the coffee we serve, and since finding Ginny, I can also enjoy moments outside of the shop as well.
Daisy brought me friendship, and with that friendship, she reminded me that it’s okay to chase dreams that seem unattainable.
And even more so, that the people who matter won’t only be the people cheering you on, but also the people who help you along the way.
I now get to create clothes for her artists and live a life where my cup is always full, and it’s thanks to not only myself and all my hard work, but the friends who became family.
A leaf falls beside me and I reach to brush it away.
My fingers glaze over the seat, dipping into an indent carved within the wood.
My interest is piqued as I lean forward to examine what I’ve found.
Shock courses through my veins as my eyes trace over the engraving.
Deep within the surface of the seat are two simple letters.
G and W.
My brows knit together as I take a closer look at the seat. This may all be a coincidence, but I can’t help but think of the beautiful photo I found in my book at Molly Mae’s all those months ago.
I turn toward Rhett, my heart thudding against my chest. “Did Sawyer ever tell you his Grandpa’s name?”
His brows crinkle together, question and confusion looming in his eyes. “Uh, I think it was Walt… why?”
There’s no way. Could this be the Grace & Walter? Was this her secret garden?
My stomach drops as I explain what I found in my book before showing him the letters on the bench. His eyes fill with a softness he only ever has for me. He pulls me in again, sharing in my happiness, and kisses me.
And with that discovery, my heart fills with a bit more hope and contentment. Because while I dreamed of learning about their love story, I’m getting to live my version instead.
Who knew that I would find my happiness in a place I least expected. Within the arms of a man I swore I’d never fall for, but did. Just a reckless cowboy, finding a thrill on the back of beasts. One who saw my fire and wasn’t afraid to get burned.
So maybe it’s true. Love really can conquer all.