Page 67 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

“I know.”

“You told Edith I’m taking classes in the city and she was ready to advertise my job!”

“I didn’t say you were moving.”

“Then what, Louis? What? Everything you touch turns into a giant mess.”

Her life had felt so simple a week ago. Smooth. Then she’d let him pull her into his world and now everything was turning into a disaster.

“Do you trust me?” Louis asked, an unfamiliar, impatient edge to his tone. “Like me? Want to spend time with me?”

“You don’t seem capable of comprehending the no-meddling rule.”

“Did it occur to you in the midst of this freak-out that maybe people just assumed you’d move away for school because it’s what most people do, and it’s what you did last time?”

“If you and I are going to humor the idea that we might have a chance, I need to be enough for you just the way I am. As I am at this very second in time. No changes. No big adventures. Just a single mom subsisting above the poverty level, happily living in a small town. Not some woman taking on the world and grand adventures, looking for a chance to break out into something huge. Me. Right here. Right now. As is.”

Louis stepped back, crossing his strong arms, studying her.

“I’m a quiet people pleaser, Louis. Not everyone needs to be the CFO of a large company in order to be happy or feel satisfied with their life.”

“I didn’t say you did.” His jaw was tight now, as was his voice.

“It’s implied. I need to be with someone who doesn’t push the whole town into...into whatever they’re thinking and saying. I need someone who will support me if I change my mind and stay working in a day care. I don’t need you to…” She had run out of words, and gestured helplessly.

“Meddle? Support? Help clear a path?”

“Yes! And create misunderstandings.”

“So you’d rather do this alone, and not let others help you in case you fail—which you won’t.”

“Yes! No.” She didn’t know anymore. She only knew that Louis was causing things to spin out of control. “Returning to school is scary, and for the sake of my family, I need to keep everything as normal as possible.”

“For Calvin.”

“For my boys!”

“Why do you have to play small and he doesn’t? Why can’t you take online classes, when he’s ready to move you all to a foreign country where they speak a language none of you do?”

Hannah froze, breathing hard. “You don’t understand.”

“You’d rather I help convince you that your current life is just fine, and that there isn’t more that you should want,” Louis said. “That it’s perfectly acceptable to be locked into a role where you pretend to be happy, struggling to subsist on handouts from your ex. Is that what you want? Is that what I’m supposed to shake my pom-poms over?”

“Leave Calvin out of this.”

“I can’t,” Louis snapped. He paced a few steps, then finally met her eyes, a sad resolve settling in his. “He’s a part of your life, and he’s a part of what is holding you back from being you.”

“I’m already me!”

“There’s only one woman I want to be with, Hannah, and from what I’m hearing, she’s too afraid to stand up and speak for what she wants.”

“Louis. You’re being melodramatic.”

“No. I don’t think I am.” He stepped back. “I thought I could help you be brave enough to be the woman I see inside of you. But I guess I can’t.”

* * *

It was so late it was nearly Christmas Eve as Hannah stood in the arrivals area of the San Antonio airport, hands stuffed deep into her pockets while she waited for Calvin and the boys. To say she was still frustrated and upset about that morning’s fight with Louis was an understatement.

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