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“Isn’t it, though? If you love someone, you’re going to do whatever it takes to make them happy. You’ll do whatever it takes to make it work, because you know that without them in your life, you don’t have anything.” There was a deep crease between Grace’s eyes as she finished her speech. “If I have learned anything, it’s that there’s more to life than getting what you want, especially if that means that the person you’re making the sacrifice for is the person you care about most.”
Her words were like a bell tolling at the end of the day. There was a resounding finality to them that made Agatha wonder why she hadn’t been able to see any of this before. And yet she couldn’t just drop it. “Let me ask you something, then. What if the sacrifice you’re speaking of requires one to walk away from the person they love or risk making them miserable for the rest of their life?”
Grace laughed. “You really are a lot like my dad. The analytical therapist in me would tell you that if you are honestly unhappy in a relationship and you can’t make things work no matter what you try, then you ought to walk away with no regrets.” She tilted her head and offered a small, encouraging smile. “But the stubborn Callahan blood in me would have me tell you that love is hard work, but it will reap the best rewards. You can’t have the good without the bad. There will be good days and bad days. There is only one question you have to ask yourself in this situation.”
“And what is that?”
Grace beamed. “Do you really think you could live the rest of your life without him?”
“That’s not a fair question. We barely just started our relationship.”
“It’s totally fair and even better, it’s simple. Did you know that most people will figure out if they want to spend the rest of their life with someone after only three months? Some take as long as six months, but that’s all it really takes. You’ve known my dad for three months. What do you think? Is he marriage material?”
“Well, of course he is. He’s a good man with a generous heart, and he’s clearly raised some wonderful children. But it’s not just about whether or not he’s marriage material. It’s about—”
“It’s about whether or not you want him in your life. Does he make you laugh? Does he make you feel like you’re the only person in the world?”
Before Zeke, there was no one who showed a degree of interest in her—at least none that she knew of. He was the man who had made her feel again.
“See? I can tell just by the way you sorta disappeared just then.”
Agatha’s vision focused on Grace again.
“And guess what,” Grace continued. “My dad feels the same way.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know a great deal more than you might realize. I pay attention to things like this. So, if you’ve already broken it off with him, he’s got to be pretty miserable. If I were you, I’d call him and tell him that you made a mistake and you want to make things work.”
The heart in her chest thrummed with the possibility of what lay before her, and then it faltered. “But your father was the one who ended it. I can’t just go up to him and tell him he was wrong.” She could feel her face filling with heat, hating the fact that Zeke had hit the nail on the head regarding their relationship. They were older, and they were set in their ways. And he hadn’t requested that they find common ground. He’d just pushed her away.
“Why not?”
Agatha jumped, recalling what she’d asked. “Because that’s just not how it’s done. Also, he had valid reasons.”
Grace laughed again. She was doing that a lot, and while it was a sweet sound, Agatha couldn’t help but feel like she was the source of the amusement. “Things have changed since you were younger. If you want to mend a relationship with a guy, then do it. What is that saying? If you want something done right, then you have to do it yourself.”
She made an excellent point. Agatha had always been the type of person that rolled up her sleeves and fixed what needed to be done. Why would this be any different?
The young woman in front of her got to her feet and pushed her hands into her pockets. “Ultimately, you’re gonna do what you’re gonna do. Don’t let my words change your opinion on the matter.” As she walked past, she touched Agatha’s shoulder briefly, then stopped. “But if you decide to take matters into your own hands, I’d suggest showing my dad that you’re not going to let him make all the decisions. He doesn’t get to dictate what your relationship is any more than you do. It’s like you said. There has to be compromises.”
Agatha turned around to watch Grace wander off, not sure whether to be amazed or simply stunned that Grace had been so spot-on when it came to Agatha’s relationship with Zeke.
Zeke had spent his whole life getting exactly what he wanted. Only recently, he’d made the choice to let his daughters have free rein. Well, he’d just met the one person who was willing to put him in his place and help him see that they needed to work together if they wanted to be happy.
She snapped her computer shut and gathered her belongings. If she was going to make a statement, it had better be one that left him speechless. Otherwise, what was the point?
27
Zeke
Regrets were not something Zeke experienced often. He’d managed to live his life making decisions he knew would be best for him or his family.
Right now, the regret he had over losing Agatha was something new. It hurt him in a way he hadn’t expected. The more time that passed, the less he felt like himself, which made no sense at all.
On top of that, he knew the regret he had was due to his own selfish actions. Agatha would find happiness. Even if she was upset right now, she’d be glad to be free of him, which was why he’d decided to keep his distance between them.
What was hurting now would only last for a moment and then she’d get over it. She’d find something—or someone—she was passionate about, and then she’d go on living her life to the fullest. Zeke could be happy for her. At least that was what he kept telling himself as he yanked the pitchfork from the side of the hunting cabin and headed toward the small shed where he kept most of his supplies.
