Page 48 of Hensley Manor
She laughed. “Right. Well, I remember when you and Brent broke up, you came over to my house, sat right there where you are right now, and you asked me to bake cookies. You didn’t say you were heartbroken, but I could see it written all over your face.”
I’d forgotten about that. Brent had cheated on me with the head cheerleader, and I’d been crushed.
“This is different,” I said, offering her a small smile. “But I’ll live. How have you been?”
She told me about their lives, and I was thankful she didn’t mention my parents or Bella. Years had passed since we’d lost them, but I needed more time before traveling down memory lane.
Uncle Trey joined us before too long. He talked about a construction project he was in charge of in town. His company was building affordable housing units for lower income families.
The visit with my aunt and uncle was nice. A little awkward at first because of how much time had passed since I’d seen them, but nice. We caught up on each other’s lives. The more we talked, the more I inwardly chided myself for going so long without seeing them. It wasn’t as painful as I’d thought it’d be to be around them. In fact, it made me feel better.
Real or not, Ian had changed my life. His generosity and loving heart had opened my eyes to the world around me.
He’d helped me live again.
“You’re the only family we have, kiddo,” Uncle Trey said, as I was getting ready to leave. “Don’t be such a stranger.”
“I won’t. I promise.” And I meant it.
I wouldn’t hide away from the world anymore.
As I was driving home, snow began to fall. I sighed and switched on my windshield wipers. I didn’t hate snow anymore. It just—like so many other things—reminded me of Ian. As the flurries fell from the sky, I remembered lying in Ian’s arms and looking out the window. He had kissed my nape and snuggled in closer, warming not only my body but my heart as well.
Was it possible to miss someone you never even truly met?
“I had a dream where it wasn’t real. You disappeared right in my arms, and I ran through the manor searching for you. I couldn’t find you anywhere.”
Remembering Ian’s words took the breath from my lungs. If my time in Evergreen Valleyhadbeen a dream, maybe my subconscious mind had been trying to warn me. A cruel twist of fate to give me happiness only to snatch it away again.
As an idea struck, I turned down Main Street. People walked along the sidewalk, holding gift bags and enjoying the festive season. It was five days ‘til Christmas, and everyone was doing their last minute shopping. I parked in the lot beside a coffee shop and got out of the car, shoving my hands into my coat pockets.
My stomach fluttered like crazy as I walked toward Treasures of Old Antiques. Unintentionally, I had allowed hope to blossom in my chest. Everything had started with me going into that damn store and finding the snow globe. The lady who worked there had been so cryptic, too, as if she’d known what would happen to me.
What if the key to finding Ian was inside?
The bell dinged above the door as I opened it and ducked inside, taking cover from the cold. I shook the snow off my coat and wiped my boots on the mat before looking around.
“Hello?”
No one answered.
I walked farther inside, spotting the same junk on the same shelves. Overpriced junk, I might add. What I wanted to see was in the back, though, so I continued that way. My heart floated up into my throat, and my palms were sweaty despite them being cold just moments ago.
Reaching the shelf near the register, I searched for another snow globe of Hensley Manor. If it worked once, it should again, right?
“Good afternoon.”
I turned to see the older woman. She stood several feet away and gently smiled.
“Hi,” I said, before releasing a shaky breath. “So, I’m not sure if you’ll believe me or not, but something happened with the snow globe. I…” I trailed off and searched the shelf again. “I need another one. Mine broke.”
There was no way I could tell her what I believed happened. She’d have me committed.
“It broke,” she repeated, though it didn’t sound like a question.
“Yeah.”
“I thought it was just a silly trinket,” she said with a knowing look in her eyes.
