Was das Schicksal will

I walked down to the stables. John was talking to a man. Oh my God… it was Josh. He was back.

Gillian: “Hi Josh, welcome home. That was faster than expected.”

Josh: “Hey Missy, how are you? I’m glad to see you. Do you have a moment? I need to talk to you. Let’s go up to my room.”

One thought raced through my mind… he knows about Jamie. But how? I wanted to tell him myself. Josh complimented me and asked how things were going. He wanted to know where Jamie was. I told him Jamie had gone to Jorvik City with Rowan to pick up horses and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow. Maybe that was for the best. Josh suddenly turned very serious. He hadn’t been able to get out of Mac’s contract. That meant he would be gone for a long time.

Josh: “Gillian, I came to get my remaining things. I’m leaving. I ruined everything with this contract. How could someone like me ever take responsibility — for others, for a family? You don’t have to decide anymore. I’ll finish Mac’s tour and then move to my mother in Canada.”

The ground seemed to shake beneath my feet. Josh was leaving… forever. Even though I had chosen Jamie, I never wanted to lose Josh completely. He was my friend. My thoughts were spinning, my heart was racing, and tears ran down my face. After packing, Josh said goodbye.

Josh: “Gillian, I’m leaving now. I wanted to give you this. These are letters from your mum to George. She wrote to him regularly. Goodbye, Missy. I’ll never forget you.”

Gillian: “Goodbye, Josh.”

It was a short and painful farewell… forever. Before his death, George had given Josh the letters and told him to read them. He said Josh should look closely at the photos, so he would recognize me — because one day I would come… and stay forever. I couldn’t be alone and called Jamie. A few days later, Jamie and I read through my mother’s letters together. She had written regularly and included photos. It felt strange — George knew everything about me, but I hadn’t even known he existed. Did my father know? Had George ever replied?

Gillian: “My mum wrote all these years… George knew everything about me. I really need to call her.”

Jamie: “I think you should read this one. It’s from George.”

The letter was addressed to Josh: Josh, I was never a man of many words, but there are things that still need to be said. Over the years, you became the son I never had. You are kind-hearted and the one person I trust completely. I will leave Meadowland to my niece Gillian. Your place on the ranch is secure — I arranged that legally. I am an old man, and my time is coming to an end. But I still have one vision. If fate allows it, and you and Gillian get along well, my greatest wish is that you will continue Meadowland together — as husband and wife. Thank you for everything you have done. So long, Josh. — George I didn’t know what to say. But Jamie read my thoughts.

Jamie: “I can see what you’re thinking. Gillian, Josh loves you. Not as much as I do — but his love is real. It was never about George or the ranch. It was always about you. He’s a good man.”