I took a step backwards, not wanting to face reality. This was why my daddy had been so against me leaving - Connor had asked for his permission for my hand in marriage. I tried to breathe, but it was as if all of the air had been sucked out of the universe. I turned away from Connor and placed my hand on my forehead. "Um, Connor. Wow. Let me say what I need to say." I grabbed his arm and pulled him up off of his knee.

"What? Why?" He looked confused.

"Connor, I've been offered an amazing job - traveling the country!" I smiled, hoping he'd see the good in it and be happy. Ha!

"And I've just proposed to you. We're twenty-one Loren. It's about time we get married and do this thing. Why in the hell would you want to travel the country, anyways? You've got all you need right here with me." He knitted his brow, clearly unhappy.

"No, I don't Connor. I don't have everything I need! Being stuck in this one-horse town, popping out kids and being your wife is not my dream, okay?! I actually have life goals and plans. I want to be successful in life! My idea of the good life is not sitting down at the hair dresser's and gossiping with the ladies of the town while you ride a tractor and my kids play in the dirt!" I yelled, catching the attention of those inside the house. The front door swung open and my daddy came onto the porch, my momma was right behind him.

"Loren, you accept this boy's proposal and do what you know is right!" Daddy yelled. Momma tugged on his sleeve, but he shook her off. "Stop acting like you could actually have a life outside of this town. This is your life, now you need to quit daydreaming about fairytales and you need to make your family proud!" His voice kept raising and the louder he got, the madder I got.

"Thomas, don't yell at her! Let her do what makes her happy!" Momma spoke, but Daddy held his hand up to her, signaling for her to hush.

"This is what should make her happy! Do you know how hard I've worked to give her a good life, and now she's going to spit in my face and run off to 'be successful!' You'll end up washed up, Loren! You'll never make it! If you go out and travel or whatever the hell it is you wanna do, don't ever come back here! You won't be welcome in my house ever again!" He shouted as I ran down the steps and to the old pickup. I climbed in, tears of anger streaming down my face.

I drove down the dirt roads that weaved through our property until I finally reached my destination. I climbed the ladder to the old tree house that my grandpa had built me. My grandpa had always been my rock. He'd encouraged me to pursue my dreams and he'd always said that whatever I put my mind to, I could do. I wished he was here now. He'd passed away eight years ago and I missed him more each day. He would have supported me. I hung my feet out of the tree house door and looked out over the river that ran below. Our property was gorgeous. I sat there admiring God's creations and cried.

Of course, I didn't want to hurt my family, or cause them to be the talk of the town, but I couldn't live a life I didn't want. I had to go - had to find out what was out there. It hurt more than anything to hear my daddy say that I wouldn't be welcome back so what was I supposed to do? What if this job was a flop and I had no where to go, or no one to help me?

" I knew I'd find you here." A voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Landon climbing the tree house ladder. He took a seat next to me, letting his long legs dangle over the edge, too. "You okay?"

I wiped my wet cheeks. "Not really." I laughed half heartedly at his stupid question. He grinned.

"Don't listen to daddy. You know he could never disown you."

"Did you see how mad he was?" I retorted. "I'm pretty sure he already has."

"Lor, really? He's your father. He cares. In fact, that's just it. He knows that if you're here, with a boy he knows, then he can still protect you. But if you run off to travel the country with people he doesn't know, he has no way to keep you safe. I'm not siding with him, but you have to look at it from his point of view. He's scared. He'll worry about you if you go." Landon playfully punched me in the arm. I loved my big brother. He could always put things into perspective for me. "I think you need to do what makes you happy. Just like grandpa always said, if you put your mind to it, you can do it. I believe in you Lor. You just gotta keep in mind the people around you, like daddy and momma. They love you and don't wanna see you hurt or make the wrong choices. They worry."

"I know. But how will I ever learn in life if I don't screw up sometimes? I don't think me pursuing my dreams is the wrong decision, but I won't know unless I go." I shrugged.

"I know, and I support you. But just don't make a decision because you're swooning over some boy in a band. That's not it, is it?" He eyed me.

"No, Lan! I would never make a big decision like this just over some boy." I laughed at the stupid thought. "I'm not a total dumbass."

"I know. You've got a good head on your shoulders. Daddy was just kind of afraid of that, and I told him I'd ask." He laughed. I rolled my eyes. "But do you have any kind of crush on any of them?"

"One of them is cute. But I don't think anything would ever happen. We're too different." I smirked.

"Oh God. Which one?" He threw his head back in disbelief.

"The curly headed one." I grinned. There were enough One Direction posters in Gracie's room that everyone in the house knew what they all looked like.

"Oh no. The flirt." He shook his head.

"He's not a flirt. He's sweet." I defended.

"Just don't do anything stupid." He warned. "I'm gonna miss you, sis."

"I'll miss you too." I smiled as he helped me to my feet.

"Wanna ride ole Storm back to the barn?" Landon pointed in the direction of my horse.

"How'd you know I needed a good ride to clear my head?" I smiled, appreciatively.

"I didn't. All the trucks were taken and I really wanted some air condition on the way back to the house." He laughed and ran for the truck. I rolled my eyes and mounted my favorite horse.