Page 69 of Halstead House

“Is that considered littering?”

“Probably.”

He held the door for me and waited until I’d walked through before following and closing it behind us. Before I could take more than a few steps, he snagged my hand again and turned me to face him. I didn’t have long enough to ask what was happening before I was pulled up against him and wrapped in a hug.

My arms worked their way around his waist, and I pressed my cheek against his chest. I was surrounded, cocooned in his embrace, safe and sound.

“Hugs have magical powers,” he said against my hair. I grinned, even though he couldn’t see me. I’d never have guessed he had a silly side, and I loved it. “It seemed like you might need a little magic tonight.”

I wasn’t about to argue with that logic. Nope, not one little bit.

I made it through Sunday and Monday with my mother, thanks to Lucas’s support. Simply knowing someone cared about what I was going through made a big difference in my ability to handle it.

Thanks to my shedding off of old thoughts, I saw her actions with new eyes. It was a long two days. It was a heart-wrenching two days. Those days confirmed my feelings that it was time to find a way to move permanently out of Mother’s control and search out my own path. Still, we were each other’s only family, and while I no longer wanted to be a puppet, I wanted some sort of healthier relationship. But figuring out what that was would take time.

Tuesday morning was bright, warm, and hazy as most mornings were on the island. I was supposed to pick Mother up at ten for brunch before she would return to Halstead House with me. I had successfully kept her away since her first tour on Thursday, but she wasn’t taking any more of that. I needed to begin setup for the fiftieth wedding anniversary party that would be happening the following evening and figured Mother could be of use in that area. It also meant I wouldn’t have to find ways to entertain her. Mother may be severe in some ways, but she had impeccable taste and an eye for detail.

But, before I picked her up, there was something I had to do. And I needed Ana’s help. I’d been thinking a lot about my hair and my style, and I wanted to make a change. Now that my sanity had reappeared, I wasn’t going for a purple pompadour, but I did want to get my hair done. I found Ana eating her breakfast, and I hustled to sit next to her.

“I need a haircut.”

She swallowed and looked over to me. “Okaaay...”

“Now. This morning. Before I pick up my mother for brunch. You know everyone there is to know on the island.”

“I am a handy person to have around.” Ana’s eyes crinkled in amusement.

“Will you help me or not? It’s time to take that last plunge. I hate my chignons and everything they represent. I want to do something that fits who I really am.”

Ana kept chewing, but her gaze wandered over my face for a few seconds before she swallowed and replied, “Are you serious about this?”

“Yes. I am.”

“I never thought I’d see the day.”

“You’re seeing it right now. It’s staring you in the face and begging you for one of your super island local contact things.”

“What did you have in mind? Just cut, or cut and color?”

I chewed on my lip. While it was tempting to do something drastic, I also knew that there was nothing wrong with taking small steps to my new self.

“Just cut.”

“Okay. Meet me at my car in fifteen minutes. My friend Gwen owes me.”

I smiled, letting it fill my face. “Perfect. Thanks, Ana.” I squealed as I leaned over to give her a hug. “I can’t wait.” Before she could answer I raced out of the room.

I beat Ana to her car, and she was smiling as she strolled up to me. We got in the car and zipped out of the parking lot. This time I laughed at her horrible driving. It was so Ana, and so Lavender Island, and so freeing to let go of the door handle.

“Are you okay?” Ana asked.

“Never better.”

“You seem to be having a breakdown,” she replied.

“What you are seeing is the crumbling of an old life.”

Her brows furrowed as she glanced back ahead to the traffic. “Is that a good thing?”

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