Page 25 of Wish You Faith

The more Rosie thought of the upcoming seasons, the more pain she felt in her heart. There was a great likelihood that this was Mom’s last Christmas on earth.

She steeled herself and drew a deep breath. Put on a smile and quickened her pace. “Mom!”

She reached Mom in double steps. “I thought you were napping.”

“I will in a minute, sweetie. Got to return this library book soon.” Mom’s eyes were on the page she was reading. She didn’t bother to look up.

“How about renewing it for another two weeks then?” Rosie asked gently.

Mom put down her book. “You came all the way here to tell me that?”

Rosie shook her head. “I came to tell you that I have to go to SSLR this afternoon.”

Mom’s eyebrows rose. “Because of what? Travis causing problems again?”

“How did you know?”

“I can guess.” Mom slapped her book shut. “Go, sweetie. I’ll stall him.”

“Lorenzo’s on it. I don’t want trouble. Just nap here, okay? When you wake up, Lorenzo will take you home—or to SSLR to see the outdoor Christmas lights.”

“Nah. I’d rather stay home and read a book. After all, I saw it last year.”

“Each year is different.”

“I know, but right now I’m more concerned about the notion that Travis wants to marry my only daughter.” Mom snarled. “I say no!”

“I say no too,” Evan added.

Mom high-fived him. “Protect my daughter, Evan.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

What?

Rosie’s jaw dropped. “Mom! I’m fine on my own.”

Mom only grinned. Her eyes widened when they all heard loud shouts in the distance.

“Rosemarie Hamilton!”

It was Travis’s voice, coming closer.

“So Rosie stands for Rosemarie.” Evan’s eyes on her were soft. He smiled a little, as though he’d just peeled back more information about her.

“Go! Go!” Mom shooed them away.

Before Rosie could say another word, Evan grabbed her hand. “Let’s go!”

CHAPTERFIVE

Sandwiched between the SSLR collection of buildings and the beaches leading to the roaring Atlantic Ocean, the seaside garden was an irregularly shaped gem fenced in by live oaks and ferns. In the middle of the garden was a patch of grass where they’d set up a temporary fire pit to roast marshmallows when the sun went down.

Evan had been here before when Grandpa had been alive. The nonagenarian had passed away happily surrounded by family and his precious grandchildren. His oceanfront condo was still there on Founders Row, but it was unoccupied. Grandpa had left instructions in his will so Mom and Dad couldn’t sell it. They didn’t have the heart to sell it anyway, because of the memories.

Memories that had faded into sepia light over time.

Now Evan was back on Tybee Island, but his mind was on the present and future, not the past.

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