Chapter 22 Olivia
“I really could have driven myself here,” I murmur.
“Humor an old man,” Cross laughs.
“Okay, well, you, I get—but is there a reason that Sasa, Money, Blade, and Arwen are following us?”
“You’re just lucky Hangman, Viper, and all the others didn’t come too. We all love you. You get that, right?”
“I get it, and I’m thankful. I just don’t want to be treated like I’m broken. I mean, I know I have issues, but I survived. I’ll be fine—especially now that Douglas is dead.”
“I think you proved you’re a badass when you killed Ayita. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, Ollie-girl. Bear would be prouder than hell of you.”
I smile because I think he’s right. I don’t have to tell Cross that I was a basket case when I took Ayita out. He was there with me. The point is that I did it and I would have faced my brother once more, too. I wasn’t going to let them get away with killing Bear.
“I hope I like it here,” I murmur, mostly to myself.
“At Black Stone?” Cross asks.
“Yeah. I mean, it was nice. I felt comfortable there, but what if I’m making a huge mistake?”
“You’re not. It’s just scary starting over. I happen to think you will thrive here. Although I wouldn’t mind if you took Blade up on his offer and became part of the club.”
I look down at Bear’s cut he had made for me. It took some work, but I got the bloodstains completely out. The guys told me they’d buy me a new one, but I didn’t want that. Bear gave me this one, and I’m keeping it.
“I needed to start over with a clean slate. Do you really think Bear would be proud of me?” I ask, looking up at his profile.
He turns to smile at me before turning his attention back to the road. “I definitely do. I also agree with you, even though I wish you’d stay close. You need a new beginning, and this is it.”
“I wish Bear was with me,” I whisper, mostly to myself.
Cross keeps his eyes on the road, but his hand finds mine and he squeezes.
“Ollie-girl, Bear is always with you. That man loved you for years. He died loving you, and I can guarantee you that wherever he is, that love is still there. Something that strong? That doesn’t end with death, sweetheart.
It lives. Bear would want you to embrace every day and feel his love.
He’d want you to be happy and cared for, because that’s what he wanted most out of life. ”
“How do you know that?” I ask.
“Because I got my own letter from Bear. Trust me when I tell you that man loved you more than anyone has ever been loved in their life.”
“I know that already. You may not believe me, Cross, but I loved him the same way.”
“I believe you,” he says gently, still squeezing my hand. I look up and realize we’re parking at the ranch. I look outside and see Carson and his wife Lisa, Cooper, and several others all standing around—waiting. Waiting for me. “Are you ready?” Cross asks, and I nod.
“As I’ll ever be,” I joke.
I get out on shaky legs, and the first thing that happens is Lisa and Carson envelope me in a group hug. Lisa leans down and whispers in my ear. “Welcome home, Olivia.”
Tears sting my eyes as I turn around and take everyone in.
For a second my gaze lands on Cross, Sasa, Money, Blade, and Winnie, all of whom are out now and gathered around us.
I smile. Bear would love this. Blade’s gaze catches mine and he nods.
I don’t know if he’s thinking the same thing, but I choose to believe he is.
I smile at him and then I go and hug him and Winnie together.
Then, I hug the rest of Bear’s men. As I do it, it hits me.
The past is truly behind me now. I am beginning a new life, at a new home surrounded by love that Bear built around me.
Cross is right. It doesn’t matter where I am.
Bear will always be with me. His love will never leave me.
“Are you ready to check out your new cabin, Olivia?” Lisa asks.
“Definitely,” I say. “Which one is mine?” I look out toward the campground, but Lisa pulls me in another direction.
“You’re down below the bunkhouse. It was the foreman’s cabin, but he got married and when she got pregnant, he built her a huge house on the hill.”
I laugh because she’s talking about her and Carson. “Surely Cooper or one of the other men would rather have that cabin? I can just take a rental. It’s just me. I don’t need much.”
“It’s been empty a while. Stop worrying. You aren’t taking it from anyone. We all want you to have it.”
I blush despite myself, looking at everyone. “Thank you all. I’m so glad that each of you are in my life.” I feel kind of awkward, but Cooper cracks a joke—and I can’t even tell you what it is—but everyone groans as we head off to my new home.
My new beginning.