Cherry laughs.
“Tell me,” I say insistently, “where would you go if money and location were no object?”
“It’s not just money,” Cherry says. “Even if I let you pay for tuition, I’m going to have a baby to take care of as well.”
“Hello?” I tap on my chest. “Just what do you think I am, a caveman? I’ll take care of the baby so you can go to school.”
“How are you going to do that and run your business?”
“Forget that. Tell me where you’d want to go to school.”
“I don’t know. Ohio State and Purdue have great botany programs.”
“Purdue is in Indiana, right?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry to be so blunt, but are your grades good enough to get in?”
“I think so.”
“Apply. If you get in, we’ll move to Indiana.”
“How are you going to run your family businesses from Indiana?”
“I’m not,” I say. “I want to take you and our baby out of Ohio completely, and I’ll be the dutiful house-husband while you get your degree.”
“But, your family…”
“I’m leaving the family business. Nora will have to run it, if she’s willing. If not her, then Antony. Twos and Threes can have it for all I care. I’m taking my cut—which is more than enough to raise our children and their children—and getting out.”
“Are you serious?”
“Completely.” I smile, but Cherry looks away, her jaw tight. “What’s wrong? I thought you’d like that news.”
“I don’t want you to abandon your family because of me.”
“I’m not. I’m leaving the family business—not the family—and I’m doing it for myself, our baby, and you. Those are three very compelli
ng reasons in my book. Even without you and the baby, I’m starting to see all of this insanity I’ve endured for the past few months as a blessing.”
“A blessing?”
“I’m not cut out for this life, Cherry. I don’t think I ever was. Ever since you left, I’ve been imagining what it would be like to be somewhere else—away from Cascade Falls and all the nonsense that goes with it—and the more I think about it, the more I don’t want to be here. I want to live where no one knows my name or my family history. I want do to something that matters to me, not to everyone else, and I can’t think of anything I’d like to do more than raise our children.”
“Children? Do you think I’ve having twins?”
“I think I’d like to have a lot of kids with you.”
“Do I get a say in this?”
“Yeah, I suppose you do. Please tell me you want at least two or three.”
“I am not ready to talk about this!” Cherry laughs and shakes her head. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around having one.”
“I’m trying to figure out how to talk you into five.” I grin at her as I take her hand and lead her to the bedroom. “Now, let me show you how I can make that worth your while.”
Chapter 24—Unexpected Resolution