Chapter 20
Freya leaned back in her chair and watched as her latest video downloaded. She stretched her arms behind her. Sleep had been evading her most of the week. It was at night when memories of Justin came back to taunt her. She would toss and turn, trying to push him from her mind. But he was always there.
She turned her attention back to Facebook, where a video of yesterday's busload of schoolchildren was uploading. Their happy laughter and enthusiastic questions had helped to brighten her mood, at least for the morning. She had interviewed a few of the more charismatic six-year-olds, asking what part of the tour they’d liked the most, and what flavour yogurt they’d enjoyed. Then she had edited it into a movie.
Greer had watched the children with longing in her eyes. Her sister wanted nothing more than to be a mother; it was why she had moved back to Maleny. She would be an amazing parent, and her children would be so loved and well-treated. They'd be surrounded by family and friends, in this community that she invested in every day.
While the video downloaded, Freya scrolled down the screen before stopping abruptly on the photo of her and Justin. Her stomach clenched, but she refused to look away. She would have to overcome this sooner or later.
She had snapped the selfie during the factory tour. He looked so content and happy. Just like she had been—the perfect couple.
Her finger hovered over the delete button. If only she could delete him from her life as easily as she could delete him from her Facebook page.
The comments below drew her attention.
What a beautiful couple you make.
Thrilled to see you so happy.
Can't wait to meet him.
There were lots of emojis and love hearts too. She considered posting a comment, letting people know that they had broken up. She didn't want to hear or read his name mentioned ever again.
She appreciated that people wanted her to be happy.
She wanted to be happy.
She had been happy. So blissfully happy.
The computer pinged with a new notification.
Justin Wheeler is live now.
Damn . She knew she should have unfriended him. But he hadn't posted anything all week, and she hadn't been brave enough to look at his profile.
Another notification appeared on the screen letting her know that he had tagged both her and Emerald Hills in his live stream.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she clicked on the link. Facebook took a few seconds to load before it brought up the stream.
As the video caught up to the audio, all she could see was a frozen image of him. His chin was clean-shaven, and his short hair slightly damp.
He had dark circles under his eyes; he hadn't been sleeping either.
Finally, the audio caught up, and she played it from the beginning.
"Hi. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Justin Wheeler. I'm Boyd Wheeler's son, and when he passed away a couple of weeks ago, I found out that I'd inherited this dairy farm. I came to Maleny to put the farm up for sale, but I didn't count on meeting so many new friends and joining such a vibrant community.
While I was there, I met a girl named Freya Montgomery. And if you know Freya, you know that she is an incredible, passionate woman. If I had grown up in Maleny, she would have been the girl next door. We would have played together and gone to school together. But we didn't get that opportunity because I grew up in Brisbane. But from the moment I met Freya, I felt like we were always destined to be together. It took a little bit longer than it could have, but I know in my heart that she is my soul mate and the only woman for me."
He paused, and Freya let the words sink in. His declaration of love made her heart pound.
"Freya, if you feel the same way, please come and find me."
She frowned and looked at the screen as he panned the camera slightly until she saw a familiar view. He was outside, sitting at the employee table where they had first had lunch together.
Right here at Emerald Hills.
She pushed her chair back, and threw open the door, running straight into Greer.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?"
"He's here. Justin's here." Freya took off down the hallway, barely registering that her sister was following, calling out for their parents to follow.
Freya made her way outside and paused as she took in the scene in front of her. A small crowd had gathered to watch. Justin's mobile was set up on a tripod and he stood in front of it.
Their eyes met. A hint of stubble flecked his jaw, tense with nerves, while his hazel eyes, surrounded by those gorgeously long lashes, were fixed intently on her.
She stepped cautiously closer. He had already hurt her twice—could she face a third time? Then again, neither hurt had been his fault. He had only ever been honest with her.
"What's going on?"
She turned at the sound of her father's voice. Greer hushed him and waved her parents to join the other curious onlookers.
Freya stepped past the camera. "Is it still recording?"
He nodded. "Is that okay? I can turn it off."
She shook her head. He was within touching distance now. "I don't care who sees."
She leaned forward to kiss him, but his soft words stopped her. "I didn't take the deal. I'm not selling the farm."
She blinked and gave a little shake of her head, as though she’d been far away and needed to bring herself back to Earth. "You're not?"
"No. Boyd wouldn't want me to sell to a developer. It's a dairy farm, and it'll stay that way as long as I have anything to say about it."
Their gazes remained locked, unable to break it. A gaze of yearning, of love, of hope.
Justin was back; that would have been enough for her. She reached up her arms and looped them behind his neck. "I missed you so much. Nothing felt right without you."
He buried his face in her neck, holding her with the same intensity as she held him. "I love you, Freya."
She pulled back, needing to see him when he said the words, needing to make sure she didn't imagine them. "What did you say?"
A smile spread across his face. "I said, I love you, Freya Montgomery." His voice was loud enough for everyone to hear his declaration.
She grinned. "I love you too, Justin Wheeler."
He brought his mouth to hers, and kissed her.
God, she had missed his kisses. How had she ever thought she could live without them? Without him?
Doubt and fear bubbled up in her throat. "How we going to make this work? You live in Brisbane."
"I can work from anywhere. You mean more to me than anything else. Besides who wants to live in the city when they can live here, in the heart of the Hinterland?"
She kissed him again, her heart overfilling with joy.
They broke their embrace and her family surrounded them, slapping Justin on the back and hugging her, all celebrating together.
"The farm is yours to lease if you still want it," Justin said to her father as they shook hands.
"I do. We'll take good care of it." Mark looked at him with pride in his eyes. "Your father would have been proud of you. I sure am."
"Thank you," Justin said, his voice was filled with emotion.
Freya squeezed his hand, hoping to remind him she was right beside him, and always would be.
"Look at you two, so in love." Greer wiped her eyes. She always was a sucker for romance.
Freya hugged her sister. "Your turn will come. I know it."
Greer pulled back and hugged Justin. "I don't suppose you know any single, straight men, do you?"
"Let me think about it." Justin grinned. "It'd have to be someone worthy of you."
Greer screwed up her nose. "My standards aren't that high."
Freya turned and spotted the phone. She had forgotten it was still live-streaming. “We should turn that off.”
Justin nodded. “Show’s over now."
She walked behind the tripod and looked at the screen. Her mouth dropped when she saw the number of viewers. "Oh my gosh, Justin, we've gone viral."
He chuckled and tugged her hand until she was back in his arms. Back where she belonged.
"With you as the star? What did you expect?" He lowered his mouth and kissed her again.
His lips were strong and true against hers and seemed to promise a life together filled with love.
A promise of forever…
Want Greer to get her happily ever after too?