Chapter 25
When Charlie heard Jack was gone, he grinned like a kid on Christmas morning.
“Finally! I thought that guy was gonna stay here forever.”
Olivia laughed. “Even if he did, he couldn’t take me away. How about we go get our wedding party?”
In Lakewood, a wedding feast was as official as paperwork. Most folks didn’t even bother going to the county to register. But Charlie didn’t mind making it formal. In fact, the sooner the better.
“I’ll go with you tomorrow,” he said quickly. “Let’s throw a proper wedding too–so the whole county knows you’re mine.”
His goofy grin was full of honest love.
Olivia smiled back.
But heading into the county also reminded her of something else her savings.
–
She had brought ten grand with her. That kind of money could change lives in Lakewood. And with the government encouraging people to lease unused land, she realized… it was time to do more
than just survive.
That evening, after they finished up for the day, Olivia called Charlie into her room. She closed the
doors and windows, then sat him down.
“Charlie, I need to tell you something.”
He blinked, serious in an instant.
“I brought some money with me when I moved here. A decent amount. I want to start a small
business in town. Will you come with me?”
Charlie’s eyes widened. To him, business was something rich folks did–people in the city, not muddy–booted farmhands like himself.
“M–me? But… all I know is farming. I wouldn’t know the first thing about business.”
“That’s okay,” Olivia said, eyes bright. “You don’t have to. I do. I’ve got a plan. I just need your
support.”
Charlie hesitated–then suddenly dug into his pocket and pulled out a small wad of cash.
Chapter 25
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“This is my stash. Not much, but it’s all yours. Whatever you want to do, I’m in.”
Olivia stared, stunned.
She hadn’t expected it. For all his simplicity, Charlie had been saving money in secret. Her heart swelled. A mix of amusement and tenderness washed over her.
She pressed the cash back into his hand. “Keep it. I might need you to support me if this doesn’t
work out.”
Charlie flushed red, ducking his head.
In the weeks that followed, Olivia threw herself into the new venture. With ten thousand dollars to invest, she scouted multiple locations in the county before settling on a modest storefront.
After some remodeling, she decided to sell rice and grains–simple, practical, and always in
demand.
She also negotiated with the village council to lease farmland from a few local families. Hired help to tend the fields. And soon enough, her store was stocked and ready.
On the day of their grand opening, Olivia and Charlie also held their wedding banquet.
There was no Richard Hart. No Emily Ross. No Jack Rivers.
Just them.
And the life they chose.
As the sun dipped low and the crowd buzzed with laughter and celebration, Olivia turned to the man beside her–grinning from ear to ear, covered in flour and sweat from helping set up.
Her heart settled.
The past no longer mattered. Her future was here.
With him.
And it was only just beginning.
