Page 55 of Christmas on Ice
And I’d sent him away.
I thought it was for the best. My life was a mess, and he didn’t deserve another man’s leftovers. Sutton had broken me, and I was still struggling to put myself back together. Trask deserved someone who was whole, who hadn’t made the mistakes I’d made or already failed at love and marriage.
But I wanted to be with Trask. I loved him. I was certain of it.
When Ryleigh and I arrived back at my parents’ house, I noticed a small bubble envelope in the mail bowl with my name on it. Odd. I didn’t remember shipping anything that small here. All of Ryleigh’s and my family’s gifts had arrived and been wrapped and unwrapped. I stuffed it into my sweater pocket to open later.
Ryleigh and I spent the rest of the day with my sisters and parents, stuffing our faces with sweets, playing my ancient version of Candyland, and watching Christmas movies. Kassidy left to go to Graham’s family, and after dinner, we walked the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights. Ryleigh skipped ahead with Mama and Daddy, and Khloe and I followed.
“Did you get your package?” she asked.
“I did. I can’t believe they delivered on Christmas.”
“I had to sign for it. What was so important you needed it today?”
I blinked at her. “I have no idea.”
“You forgot what you ordered?”
“I guess so.” I took the small bubble envelope out of my pocket and turned it over in my hand. “I really don’t know what it could be.”
“Well, open it, then.”
I slid my finger under the transparent tab and pulled the strip across the top of the envelope. Inside was a small velvet drawstring bag and a slip of paper. I turned the paper over and read the note.
Kami,
I think of our song every time I see a butterfly, and I hope to hold you in my arms again soon.
Love, Trask
I stopped short on the sidewalk and passed the note and envelope to Khloe. My hand shook as I opened the small pouch and dumped the contents into my left hand. It was a bracelet. A delicate silver butterfly charm held together two chains of silver and sparkled with clear gemstones.
It was gorgeous.
And I was a fool.
* * *
The next day,after another frustrating visit with Sutton that served to confirm I was an even bigger fool letting Trask go, I dropped Ryleigh off with my parents and drove into Charleston. I needed to clear my head, and the route along the waterfront always helped.
Brilliant sunlight sparkled on the water to my right, and to my left, the park and homes on the South Battery looked picture-perfect decorated for Christmas.
“Charleston. That’s where I’m from. Right on the South Battery.”
I suddenly needed to see Trask. Frantically, I searched for a parking spot. His flight didn’t leave for a few hours yet. I found a spot and pulled up the search engine on my phone to find his address. It was only a couple of blocks away.
I pulled out of the spot and let the GPS guide me to a familiar Colonial Revival just a short stroll from my favorite gardens. How many times had I walked past this house with friends and family over the years?
I pulled into the drive behind his pickup and got out. The house was gorgeous, in need of new paint, but the structure was in good condition. As I climbed the steps, the front door opened.
“Mrs. Emerson!” I grinned. “Hi!”
“Kami, dear, how lovely to see you.” She smiled back, but stood stiffly. Without makeup on, she looked older and more frail. “You’ve just missed him. The ride-share picked him up about twenty minutes ago.”
“Oh.” I was too late. “Right.” I smiled again, but was sure she caught the disappointment in my face. “I meant to call him earlier, but—”
She held up her hand. “You don’t have to explain. He knows you have a lot on your mind.”
