Page 33 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

How had she considered for even one second that Louis Bellmore could be the man she needed? He wasn’t equipped to handle weepy women or lonely moms, and currently, she was both.

Hannah threw her jacket, hat, and gloves across the room in frustration. Obi chased down the striped hat, retrieving it with enthusiasm. Rubbing his ears, she sighed and told him he was a good dog, then took the slobbery hat and tossed it into the wicker basket under the bench at the door.

Why had she exposed herself to Louis like that? And why had she taken their almost-kiss and made it into a big deal, telling him she didn’t want a relationship?

It was true, because something like that would only complicate everything at the moment, but had she really needed to turn a pleasant walk into a grand shutdown?

But he’d said he wanted to kiss her which made no sense. She couldn’t possibly be his type, and she couldn’t figure out why he’d want to be with her. He’d be bored in five minutes.

Hannah leaned against the door and touched her lips, curious how it would feel to kiss him. Would he be tender? Or would kissing him bring on the crazy sparks she’d read about in romance novels?

She groaned in frustration and faced the empty house. Now what? She couldn’t start watching movies before noon. Not that she really wanted to. Maybe she could pretend today wasn’t movie night, or that it didn’t exist when the boys were away.

Hannah didn’t have any piano lessons to prep for until January, but she had presents she could wrap as a distraction. She could also get lost in the memoir Athena had brought her.

But instead of heading to her bookcase or digging out the wrapping paper, Hannah sat down at her old laptop, waiting while it whirled and hummed, struggling to boot up and get online.

If she was heading back to school she’d need a computer upgrade. Plus teachers were expected to do some work from home, and so much of it was computer-based these days.

What was she thinking? She wasn’t going to become a teacher.

Instead of going to the college website like she’d planned, Hannah closed the laptop and leaned back in her chair, mulling over her feelings. She checked her phone for messages and saw a text from Athena. Her friend in admissions had said that, as a mature student, if Hannah applied before his holidays started on Tuesday, she’d know before January if she’d been accepted and whether they could fit her into the program. As well, he’d mentioned that the first four classes toward her degree could be taken online, and that she might qualify for scholarships.

Could it really be that easy? Just apply, get in and win a few scholarships to cover her costs?

Hannah set her phone down and moved to the piano, breathing in the familiar smell of freshly applied polish. She lifted the lid and ran her fingers lightly over the keys. This old friend could get her through any funk, and she was certain that once she finished playing she’d have the answer on what to do about Louis and school.

As her fingers struck the first chords of “O Come All Ye Faithful” her mind snapped out of thinking mode. She became one with the music, the energy and peacefulness of the carol flowing through her.

She swayed, becoming her own metronome to keep the beat. Everything that wasn’t about this moment could wait for another day, another time. Song after song, she played through the afternoon, until the early dusk of Texas Hill Country settled in around her. The muscles between her shoulders had grown tight and she rounded her back, stretching them out. She was ravenous, but her mind was finally blessedly blank.

Hannah ran her fingers noiselessly over the keys in a silent thank-you before closing the lid, then stayed there for several more moments.

She was lonely.

Not fully satisfied with where her life path had taken her.

She blinked at her surroundings, at the family photos lining the end tables and fireplace mantel. The Christmas tree and the decorations brightening the room. There was so much to be grateful for, but it no longer felt like enough.

She’d led herself into a corner, her future not quite as open and full of opportunity as she’d once expected it to be. Calvin was treating the boys to a trip to France, a day at Disneyland Paris, a week of eating out and staying in hotels, and she was at home counting her pennies. She’d gone wrong somewhere, hadn’t she?

Before she could change her mind, she opened her laptop and filled out the application to enroll in college. Several minutes later she hit Submit and sat back, hands shaking.

She’d done it. She’d applied to go back to school.

She didn’t have to say yes if they accepted her, but she’d opened a door to see what might come through it.

The doorbell rang, sending Obi into a flurry of barking, and making her jump. She shut down the computer and peered through the peephole before opening the front door to what would surely become an unexpected adventure.

* * *

“I ate the last cookie,” Louis announced, stepping past Hannah, a shopping bag nestled in his arms.

“I know. You already brought back my container.”

“Hey, pup.” He bent to ruffle the long fur on Obi’s back, making the dog grin. He straightened and tipped his shopping bag Hannah’s way so she could peek inside at the popcorn, candy and drinks he’d brought. “I thought maybe you could use some company for movie night.”

Hannah gave him a radiant smile and threw her arms around him, the bag crinkling as it was crushed against him. He smelled like fresh air, and his jacket released a chill from its folds, reminding her he’d been in an arena all afternoon.

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