Chapter 29 #2
“The market will be open to everyone,” Chris continued.
“People can come in, buy produce directly from the farmers. The kitchen can be rented out for food prep or small events. We’re even working with the local school district to develop an educational program, teaching kids about farming and food sustainability. ”
I felt tears sting the back of my eyes as I realized just how far he had gone with this.
It was bigger than anything I could have ever done on my own.
And yet, the core of it was still there, the heart of what I wanted from the beginning.
“Did you come up with that school program?” I asked, already suspecting the answer.
Chris shrugged. “It seemed like the next logical step. You always talked about how food connects people. And education is just part of that.”
I stared down at the piece of banana bread in my hand.
My fingers tightened slightly around the crust as a wave of gratitude and regret swept over me.
Chris had always been a man of action. I had known that since the day I met him.
But this, this was more. And to hear him say these things, to see him care about something that was once so important to me... It was hard to take in.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Chris didn’t say anything for a moment. He just looked at me, his eyes softer than they had been in months. “You don’t have to thank me, Beth. I’ve always wanted to make something that mattered, and you were the one who showed me what that could look like.”
It was in that moment, sitting between Lisa and the life growing inside me, that something clicked into place.
We were both still figuring it out, still trying to navigate this complicated path, but we had found a common ground, something real and solid.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, I truly believed we were moving forward, together.
“And just to make it clear, it’s all built on a non-profit model. I don’t retain rights or ownership. This place will belong to the community. I don’t want my name anywhere near it.”
My eyes went wide. “Why would you give that up?” I knew that I was the one who had walked away and left everything behind, but it hadn’t occurred to me that Chris would actually give away all rights and future profit of something as valuable as this.
“What would your business associates think if they found out about your philanthropy?”
“It’s not about them. It’s not even about me.
” Chris smiled sadly. “It’s for you, Beth.
If you don’t want any association with me in this town or through this venture, then I needed to make that clear.
The board is being set up and they’ll be working through some grant applications in the coming days.
Once I’m certain of all the kinks, I’ll give you a full report.
But the truth is, I plan to seed it with enough money that it can last through multiple lean years if it needs to. ”
Tears ran down my cheeks and I didn’t have it in me to stop them.
He had built something I thought would only ever exist on the page and in my imagination.
And now I would never have to worry about funding.
It could help this community forever. That was a gift more precious than any bank account or luxury penthouse.
“I’m speechless,” I finally said. “This is more than I could have ever imagined. And you did it because...” I couldn’t even say it.
This was the act of love. And it wasn’t the grand gesture that would suddenly change things and make us better people.
This was Chris acknowledging that what was important was never in the bank account.
It was in our relationship. And for that, I was grateful and so moved I couldn’t stop the flow of tears.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he said as he moved around the coffee table, kneeling beside me.
“I just need you to know that I’m committed.
I’ll do whatever you need to make this work.
I want our family together. And I want you to be healthy and happy.
But the success of the food hub is also separate.
It’s protected. I can’t go in and make demands. It’s not mine.”
I set my tea cup down on the tray as Chris took my hand.
I turned in my seat to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck as we held onto each other.
He wasn’t afraid to show his vulnerability around me or my sister.
This was so different than I ever could have dreamed of, but it was exactly what I needed, maybe more than that even.
“I love you,” I whispered into his ear. “I don’t want to do any of this without you.”
“We’ll get through the rest together, I promise.” He pressed his lips against my hair as we clung to each other.
There was a weight that was being lifted, even though so many uncertainties remained.
Chris was different. I had changed as well.
And I was still trying to sort through all the changes.
But one thing was sure, I hadn’t ever stopped loving Chris.
And if that was all we had for right now, then we would build up the rest together.
All this time apart hadn’t been easy, but we were finally getting to the place we needed to be to work on ourselves and our marriage.
I pulled back and looked at him. “What now?”
“Let’s just get you settled in. Lisa can handle anything you need.
And when the doctors say it’s okay, we’ll take it one step at a time.
We’ll go over to the building. And we’ll get ready for the baby.
” He looked at my belly with such care and reverence.
There were no more words needed. It would take some time to feel like ourselves again, to adjust to the pregnancy and the new dynamic of our lives.
But as I held Chris’s hands in mine, I knew it was going to work out somehow.
And if I knew anything about my husband, he would do everything to make sure we succeeded.