Page 95 of Everything Has Changed
“Did you two have a good time?” She leans around me to quirk an eyebrow at Logan.
He clears his throat. I’m sure the good time we had is flashing through his mind. “Yes, ma’am.”
“That’s wonderful. Y’all deserve a little time away from the craziness lately. Is everything going well with the festival? I feel like we haven’t had time to chat about it lately.”
I furrow my brow at how normal this conversation is right now. Completely the opposite of what I really want to talk to her about, but I know that one will come eventually. It has to, now that it’s out in the world.
“Things are going well,” I start, my eyes cutting to Logan, who encourages me to continue with a tip of his head. I take a deep breath. “All the booths are still in great shape, so we won’t have to worry about fixing them up too much. A loose screw here and there and mainly some paint touch-ups. The decorations have seen better days, but I have to work with what we’ve got unless I take the hit myself to buy more.”
Logan places a hand on my knee. “I thought you said they were still usable?”
I cringe at the reminder of my placating comment when I was attempting to ease the worry that was splashed on everyone’s faces at the committee meeting. “Ithoughtthey were, but when I stopped by yesterday, I realized whoever packed everything up last year didn’t do a good enough job. Animals must have gotten to them. But I can figure it out.”
“No, we can go to my mother. See if there’s any wiggle room in the budget.”
“I already did. She said that we didn’t have any extra funds this year.” I wave away his concern that is written all over his face. “I can make it work. Even if that means overnight shipping a few new things.”
Logan’s eyes darken slightly, and I want to ask why, but Ophelia speaks up.
“I’m sure it’s going to be the best year ever because you are heading it. How did the social media ads go? Do we know yet?”
My shoulders relax a little at the reminder of one of my ideas playing out. “We’ve received a ton of inquiries, and it continues to be shared out, so hopefully people show. I heard that Bluebird Bed and Breakfast is booked full, so Mrs. Fitzpatrick is giddy.”
My grandmother grasps my hand in hers. The feeling of her touch eases the tightness in my chest that seems to be a constant today. But I can’t help but realize how small her hands feel these days. How cold they seem.
I squeeze my fingers three times like she always does for us and feel better at the sight of her smile. That doesn’t help the single tear that drops out before I can blink it away.
“Oh, my sweet girl. Come here.” Her arm wraps around, pulling me toward her, and I go easily.
“I’m scared,” I whisper into her shoulder.
Her hand rubs up and down my back, soothing me when I should be soothing her.
“I know. I am too. But I have the best team of doctors around me. Besides, we still don’t have all the answers yet. I’ll schedule my biopsy soon, and then we can decide how much we worry, okay?”
She pulls back, wiping my wet cheeks and placing a kiss on my forehead.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” My voice cracks on the words that keep circling my thoughts.
“I wanted to so bad, my girl. Honestly, I don’t have a great reason other than I didn’t want you to worry. Part of me thought this might be just a nightmare I would wake up from. I realize now how selfish that was of me, but I would probably do the same thing if I had the chance because adding that pressure on you the last few weeks whileyou have been shining so bright would have done me in.” A tear drops down, and it’s my turn to brush it away for her.
“You have to tell me everything from now on. I want to be there for you. Kennedy feels the same way.”
We had FaceTimed with her on and off all day. Watching her process the news via a phone screen crushed me. I had to keep telling her not to book a trip down right now. She would be here for the festival weekend in a few days, news she announced as soon as she found out what happened to Ophelia. I know it was not an easy choice for her to come back to the place that hurt her. It never is. So, I know her decision was made today.
Ophelia brushes my hair behind my ear. “I promise I will.” With a pat to my cheek and a sigh, she leans back. “Now, I think it’s time for y’all to head home. You’ve been here all day, and you both look awfully tired. I guess your little trip didn’t allow for some rest, hm?”
My cheeks flare so hot I worry that I might combust. Especially when Logan chuckles beside me, not denying what my grandmother is insinuating. That chuckle turns to full laughter when Ophelia hits him with a wink.
“You know, I wanted to spend a little more time with you tonight, but I think that’s enough.” I jump to my feet, adjusting my sweatshirt on a huff.
She barks out a laugh, and I try not to let it get to me as I bite back a smile. I school my features into a menacing glare, turning on my heels to land it on her. But it immediately lacks any heat when I catch her reaching over to Logan’s hand, grasping it in hers.
“Take care of my girl, will ya?”
Logan drapes his free hand over both of theirs, holding it tightly as he meets her stare. Sincerity laces his words as he says, “I promise.”
My chest threatens to crack wide open as my favorite person in the world and the one who is stealing my heart share a moment. And in that moment, I feel like I could soar through life on pure love.
