My husband had spent years warning me never to set foot on that farm. So after he passed away and the lawyer handed me the key, saying that from now on the place belonged to me, I was ready to sell it right away and put everything behind me. But before making my final decision, I still wanted to see it once for myself. When the door opened, I finally understood why, all those years, he had never wanted me to set foot there.

His expression softened. “I suspect the letter may answer that better than I can.”

My fingers shook as I broke the seal.

My dearest Catherine,

If you are reading this, then I left too soon, and for that I am more sorry than these words will ever be able to say. There is more I should have told you. More I wanted to tell you. But some truths felt too heavy while I was still asking you to live beside them.

The farm is yours now.

I know I spent years making you promise never to go there. I am releasing you from that promise. More than that, I am asking you to go once before you decide what to do with it. Please do not sell it until you have seen it with your own eyes.

On the desk in the main house there is a laptop. The password is the date we met, followed by your maiden name.

I have spent the last three years turning that place from the broken ground of my childhood into something worthy of you. Whether you keep it or not is entirely your choice. But before you choose, let me show you what I was trying to build.

I love you, Cat. More than you know, more than I said well enough, more than I got the chance to prove in all the ways I should have.

Joshua