Hopeless

Back at the house, Beau tells Bailey he wants to talk. Bailey tries to remain calm but fears the worst. He tells Bailey he thinks they should end their fake engagement. She has already secured a new job, and people seem to respect her more now; he thinks their agreement has done its job. A furious and hurt Bailey storms out of the house and toward her trailer. She can’t believe she let herself get so close to Beau and chastises herself for trusting him.

Beau chases after Bailey, insisting she listen to him. He apologizes for upsetting her and then reveals that he’s ending their fake engagement because he wants to date her for real. He professes his love and insists he is tired of faking his feelings for her. A confused and relieved Bailey agrees to date him and to continue wearing the ring. They go inside, and Beau initiates sex.

Beau and Bailey have sex. Beau repeatedly professes his love throughout the encounter. Bailey doesn’t say it back but admits that no one “has ever loved [her]” before (331).

Beau and Bailey continue having sex. Bailey is overcome by ecstasy throughout the encounter, particularly when Beau penetrates her for the first time. He continues telling her he loves her. Bailey is moved and elated; she never thought sex would be this good. She feels safe with Beau, too.

Beau and Bailey shower together. He tells her he loves her again, meanwhile thinking about how much she has changed him. Then they have sex again.

Beau wakes up in the middle of the night with a start. Bailey warns him to be careful when he goes outside to investigate. He gets his gun and instructs her to stay inside. Outside, he discovers Bailey’s brothers trying to break into her trailer. He threatens them until they leave the property. Inside, he cuddles Bailey until she falls asleep, but he stays awake should her brothers return.

Bailey and Beau continue having sex. Bailey has never felt so happy. Then one day, Beau reveals that he has a job interview at the local fire station. Bailey panics, realizing that Beau is “putting down roots here” while she is “still planning [her] exit strategy” (359). Beau notices she looks worried and promises they’ll work things out. After he leaves, Bailey realizes she might love him.

At the bar that evening, Beau is surprised to find a sober Gary watching out for Bailey. Then he realizes that Bailey’s father and brothers are there. He takes her aside and insists that they have sex so everyone will know they are together. Bailey consents, but when she returns to work, her brothers jeer at her for being with Beau. Beau loses his temper and tells Bailey’s family they will not behave this way in his bar toward his employee. Bailey is shocked at this revelation, and Beau realizes his mistake.

Bailey confronts Beau about his revelation, demanding to know if he really owns The Railspur and for how long. When he admits he bought it a few years ago, she throws everyone out. Then she parts ways with Beau, insisting she needs space.

Back at home, Bailey closes herself in the trailer, crying and stewing until Beau returns. She explains how upset she is that he lied to her. The Railspur was the only place that felt like her own. Finally, she lets him explain. When he returned from overseas, he overheard the bar owner telling the manager he planned to sell; he also posited that they’d do better business if they fired Bailey. Beau interceded, bought the bar, and let Bailey keep her job. He has been a silent partner of sorts ever since, never getting too involved so he could continue frequenting the bar, too. He apologizes for hiding the truth, but Bailey still needs time.

Over the following days, Beau works Bailey’s shifts at the bar and brings her tip money and paychecks home. He makes breakfast for her every morning, too, even though she’s still mad at him. One day, he tells her she should take the money and leave Chestnut Springs once and for all. She silently closes herself back in her trailer.

Jasper confronts Beau about his and Bailey’s relationship. He reminds Beau that he is going to lose Bailey for good if he lets her go. He encourages him to move to the city, too, if that’s where Bailey is going. Taking Jasper’s advice, Beau approaches Bailey one day when she’s on her way out; he learned from Summer that she was taking the day off to explore colleges in the city. He asks to hitch a ride with her. She gives in.

While driving, Bailey tries to ignore her feelings for Beau. She still wants to be with him even though she is mad and desperately wants to leave town. When they arrive at their destination, Beau reveals that he is going for a job interview at a firehouse there. A stunned Bailey heads out to visit schools and view apartments. While apartment hunting, she sees a dining room space and is overcome with emotion. She realizes she does not want to be without Beau. Unable to stop thinking about him, she cancels her other appointments and heads back to the firehouse. Beau is waiting outside.

The two profess their love for each other and agree to make a life in the city. They make amends for their misunderstandings and plan to find an apartment together.

After Beau and Bailey settle into the city, the Eatons come for a visit. They prepare their new house and make dinner. Everyone joins them in the space. Beau looks around, pleased with their new home and family. Over dinner, everyone catches up, eating, making jokes, and showing love. Beau and Bailey kiss, glad to officially be together.

Bailey and Beau attend Cade and Willa’s wedding. During the reception, the couple discusses their own future wedding. Finally, they agree to get married as soon as possible, possibly by the river where they spent so many nights together.