Page 52 of Heart of Mystic Valley
“That’s all I can ask. Take all the time you need.”
With a final nod, he stepped out of the office, leaving Faith alone with her thoughts and the gentle ticking of the clock.
Her gaze lingered on the door long after Joshua departed, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Turning her attention inward, she allowed herself to confront the feelings she’d been trying to suppress.
Joshua’s words had indeed been at the forefront of her mind, playing on repeat like a melody she couldn’t shake. His confession of love had stirred something deep within her, a longing she’d scarcely dared to acknowledge.
She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply before releasing it in a slow breath. When she opened them again, her gaze fell on a framed photograph on her desk. It was a picture of her and Joshua at last year’s Founders’ Day picnic. Their easy smiles and relaxed postures spoke volumes about their friendship.
Picking up the photograph, her fingers traced the edge of the frame, her touch gentle, as if caressing a precious memory. She hadn’t realized how much she’d been holding back until this moment, when the floodgates of her emotions threatened to burst open.
Taking a slow breath, she stood up and paced the length of her office, her footsteps muffled by the worn carpet.
“I love him,” she admitted aloud, her voice stronger now. The words hung in the air, both terrifying and exhilarating. “I love Joshua Beckett.”
A mix of joy and fear coursed through her veins as the full weight of her realization settled upon her. She loved him, had loved him for longer than she cared to admit.
Stopping at the window, she gazed out at the main street of Mystic. Her reflection stared back at her, eyes clouded with apprehension.
“What if it doesn’t work out? What if we lose everything we’ve built?”
The thought of losing Joshua’s friendship, of awkward encounters and strained conversations, made her heart constrict. Their bond had been a constant in her life for as long as she could remember. Could she risk their bond for the promise of something more?
She turned back toward the desk, her gaze once again falling on the photograph. The easy companionship it captured seemed to mock her current turmoil.
“What if it does work?” she mused, a glimmer of hope breaking through her fears. “What if this is the start of something wonderful?”
The conflicting emotions warred within her, each vying for dominance. Faith sank back into her chair, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her decision.
“I need to tell him. He deserves to know the truth, even if I’m scared.”
With trembling hands, Faith reached for a piece of paper and her favorite fountain pen. She would pour her heart out in ink, giving voice to the love and fear tangled within her. Perhaps in writing, she could find the courage to face Joshua and speak her truth.
Faith didn’t have to wait long. An hour after leaving, Joshua returned, determined to get an answer out of her. He found no words were necessary. The instant he sat down, Faith began pouring her heart out.
His eyes softened as he listened to Faith’s confession. The weight of her words hung in the air between them.
“Faith,” he began when she finished, “I understand your fears. Believe me, I’ve wrestled with them, too. I also believe in us. In our ability to face whatever comes our way.”
Her gaze met his, searching for reassurance. “How can you be so sure, Joshua? We’ve been friends for so long. What if… what if we lose that?”
Joshua’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “Because I know you, Faith Goodell. I know your strength, your determination. And I know myself. We’ve weathered storms before, haven’t we?”
She nodded. A memory of one particular disagreement, which almost tore them apart, flashed through her mind. “We have,” she admitted.
“Then we can weather this, too,” he continued, his voice gaining confidence. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy. But nothing worth having ever is.”
“What about the town? The gossip?”
He couldn’t stop a chuckle. “Since when has Faith Goodell, intrepid editor of the Mystic Gazette, cared about gossip?”
A reluctant smile tugged at Faith’s lips. “Fair point.”
“I’d rather face their whispers with you by my side than wonder what might have been.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “All right, let’s talk about this. What are your expectations?”
He rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful. “Honestly? I want to court you properly, Faith. To show you, and everyone else, how much you mean to me. But I also want us to take it slow, to give ourselves time to adjust to being a couple.”
