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transferred your scholarship so you could go to school with him. You were…." She must notice something on my face because she trails off.
    "He didn't want me to go," I whisper, staring at the tabletop so I don't have to see her processing this news.
    "Jesus, Savannah," she finally whispers, shock heavy in her voice. "You didn't go at all ?"
    "I went for two weeks." I'm so ashamed. "I gave up my scholarship."
    Lexi's silent, processing my answer. And then she sighs softly and squeezes my hand in hers again. "You're staying here."
    There's a ring of finality in her tone and I want to agree. It would be so easy to just agree with her, but I don't belong here.
    "I can't do that," I say. "I can't impose on you and Kit, especially not now."
    "It's not imposing," she snorts. "You belong here. I don't give a shit what Toby told you. You're our family and you're staying. Besides, Daddy left the guesthouse and everything in it to you."
    My eyes fly to hers again. I'm sure my mouth is hanging open.
    She smiles despite her sorrow. "Welcome home, Savannah."
     

     
    Rain sheets down around me, blocking out the world as I sit on the porch of the guest house. Staring out into the night, I'm in my own little bubble.
    Home.
    I can't wrap my mind around the fact that Matthew left the guesthouse to me, but he has. Lexi was quite clear on that fact. So was the letter he left for me.
     
    February 23, 2012
     
    Savannah,
    We haven't seen you in over a year, my dear, and I have no one but myself to blame for that. We miss you intensely and I often wonder if we did the right thing by letting you go, but you were so certain. You've always been so constant, so sure. I know that you're doing great things in Italy, and tell myself often that you don't need us hovering. You're so independent. The girls could learn a thing or two from you on that front.
    An old man is allowed to be selfish and miss his fourth daughter though, right? No matter where life takes you or what you do with it; I want you to remember that you will always have a home with us. I've ensured it. The guesthouse and everything in it is to be given into your custody should anything averse happen to me.
    I plan to be around for a long time though, kiddo, so don't fret.
    Each of the girls has had a trust fund established since birth. We set one up for you before Caitlyn passed. In the event of my death, you'll be provided for the same as the three blondes.
    I'm not certain why I feel a need to write this out for you now, but you know me. One step ahead and all that jazz. Garrity has all of the paperwork and information you might need. And I am, of course, looking forward to telling you all of this in person just as soon as you're finished taking Italy by storm, but I thought it fitting to write it out now, on your twentieth.
    Happy birthday, Savannah. We miss you.
    All my love,
    Matthew
     
    My mind is a whirlwind of thought. I'm still trying to make sense of the letter, of why he'd do all of this for me. The guesthouse, a trust fund… I don't deserve either.
    So very proud of you.
    Matthew was proud of me.
    "I'm sorry I let you down," I whisper into the sheeting rain. I doubt he can hear me, wherever he is, but I need to let him know anyway.
    "Talking to yourself?" Jared asks, materializing beneath the oak tree again.
    For some reason, I'm not surprised to see him.
    He has a raincoat on, but he's left the hood down. His hair is drenched, and rain pours down his face. When he looks up at me with those cool green eyes, he takes my breath away. He isn't smiling, but he seems less angry than usual. Almost hesitant.
    "You're soaked," I mutter and tear my gaze away from him when butterflies start fluttering in my stomach. "I'll get you a towel."
    "I'm fine, Savannah," he says softly and starts up the steps toward me.
    I don't listen, of course. He's coming closer and I'm completely overwhelmed by him.
    I struggle to my feet. "It's fine, I'll just go grab you a towel."
    "I don't need a