Looking at him weakened places inside my chest with each blink, so I moved my gaze to the giant magnolia wreath. Stupid choice because that hurt too. “I know you’re not here to talk fashion, so why are you?”

“To make sure you’re doing okay. You look so tired.” Vance sighed, his breath tickling the side of my neck as he fiddled with a strand of my hair like it was his right to touch me even though we both knew it wasn’t.

“Gee, thanks.” I dropped my head and let the long curtain of my hair help conceal the dark circles under my eyes. “It’s been close to a year, Vance. Why now?”

“I heard about y’all losing half your crop.”

Everyone had heard about it. It still felt like a really bad nightmare. The pain in my chest transformed into a burning deep inside my stomach. That pain wasn’t new, either, and no amount of Pepto or chewing on mint leaves as Foxy suggested alleviated it. I’d even lost my taste for Miss Wise’s handmade chocolates. “Yeah. So?”

“So are you okay?” He scooted closer, and the familiar notes of his crisp cologne reached me, but I refused to look at him.

“Yes.”

“Financially?”

My head snapped up to meet his green eyes. “That’s none of your business, but just know that we ain’t completely stupid. We have savings . . . no mortgage . . .” I let out a humorless laugh and tapped the thinning material of my corduroy pants. “And I’m quite frugal.”

“Don’t put words in my mouth.” Vance’s arm moved until he had me cradled against his side. “I just wanted to check on you.”

I shouldn’t have allowed it, but his warmth and tender touch overrode my better judgment. “Seriously, Vance, you don’t have to pop in here every time something goes amiss.”

“Yes, I do.” His other hand moved until resting on top of mine that was grasping my knee to hide the tremble.

“Why?”

“Because you’re going to have to eventually accept the fact that I’m showing up for you no matter what . . .” He released my hand and combed his fingers through his perfect curls. “God only knows why exactly, Austin, but I can’t figure out how to stop loving you.”

I swallowed past the tightness in my throat. “I can’t figure out how to stop loving you, either.”

Vance dropped his hand and eyed me with furrowed brows. “If you love me, then why push me away?”

I pointed in the general direction of the farmhouse. “Because I love you enough to push you on to better things. You deserve happiness, and you dang sure ain’t going to find that out here on Nolia Farms.” I leaned over as naturally as breathing and placed a soft kiss to his frowning lips before standing.