Page 42 of Charlotte's Story
Once we were alone, Brexton focused on me again. “Based on the way you reacted earlier, I think we’re both aware of the person Dahlia liked.”
I stiffened. Apparently, I hadn’t held in my glare as successfully as I’d thought if Brexton had noticed my frustration with William.
“I’m not sure what happened between the two of you to make you so upset with him, but I just wanted to say he’s not the kind of man to betray someone he’s made vows to.”
“Did you hear what happened?”
He rubbed his chin. “Not exactly, but I know Dahlia, and I know how determined she could be. She wasn’t happy when she came back to town and found out Pastor Collins was engaged.”
His words blunted some of the anger inside me, not extinguishing it completely, but dulling the edges. Which only made room for something worse. Doubt.
It slipped in, heavy and cold.
“Do you think he’d hurt me?” I asked softly.
Brexton looked at me for a long moment. “Do you?”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again before finally saying, “I don’t know.”
“Whatever you heard, I’m sure there’s more to the story than it seems,” he said. “So just make sure you get the story straight before you throw away something good.”
William poked his hand back through the door. “Are you ready, Charlotte?”
“I am.” I gave Brexton a long look, then nodded in thanks as I followed William outside.
Tessa’s words still played in my ear.
My brother saw Dahlia and Pastor Collins kissing three days ago.
Even if her brother was right, that didn’t mean Brexton was wrong. There could be more to the story. No, therehadto be. After all, William wasn’t the kind of guy who would hurt someone willingly.
As ChiyoObasanoften said, trust was the accumulation of small stones. And I’d built my relationship with William on many of the small stones of his kindness, earnestness, thoughtfulness, and sincerity.
William didn’t offer me his hand as we stepped outside this time. Instead, it traced the cuff of his wool jacket over and over. The quiet stimming motion pierced my heart. For all the times William had told me I made him comfortable, now I was the reason he was upset.
Brexton had told me to get the story straight, but with William’s amnesia and Dahlia’s death, the truth slipped away like smoke from a candle. And maybe chasing the truth was the safer choice, an excuse to stay guarded. What I needed to do was trust in William, the sweet, sensitive man who’d done nothing but show how earnest and thoughtful he was this whole time.
As the Museum of Regrets came into view, William said, “You think the star is in there?”
“Yes.”
I looked both ways, then crossed the street, hurrying up the steps to the museum. I continued through the entry with theTwelve Regrets of Christmassign, a big red bow on it to draw attention.
William opened the door for me. “You’ve looked upset since we left the Tea and Tarot, and I’d like to know why.”
I sucked in a breath but kept walking down the hall. Here it was—the moment I had to choose. It would be so easy to slip back into the same habits I’d relied on for years: the ones that protected me but also left me lonely. But it was time to move past that. I’d decided to trust William, so I couldn’t crumble at the first sign of trouble. I had to believe that he had a reason for what happened, even if he couldn’t tell me now.
“It's nothing.” I gave him a brief smile.
He tentatively reached for my hand, his warm fingers brushing mine. “Are you sure? Because we can talk about it, whatever it is. I want to understand, and I won’t know if you don’t tell me.”
“I’m sure.” I smiled and wrapped my hand around the warm quill hanging from my neck even as I let go of my last bit of doubt. With it, I let go of years of resentment and hurt. “Tessa told me that she heard you and Dahlia were seen kissing the day before our wedding.” His mouth fell open, but before he said anything, I barreled on. “But I decided that there must be more to the story and that I trust you.”
He blinked. “You do? Even after hearing all that?”
“I do.” I held out my hand in a silent invitation, and William smiled as he took it.
“I want to tell you what happened that night. But I’m glad you’re still here, even without the facts.” The affection shiningin his hazel eyes warmed me. Loving people was a risk, but sometimes the biggest chances brought the deepest rewards.
