Page 41 of Charlotte's Story
“Yeah, it’s great. Just wonderful.” I scanned the room for Brexton, trying not to pay too much attention to a small group who were huddled in a side room. I spied Lenora’s silver hair among them, the fae from the gossiping group that had been there the night Dahlia was discovered. She stood and held up a book—ah, the book club she’d mentioned earlier—but I turned away and hurried down the aisle toward Brexton. He stood near the pulpit talking with Merrick, who held a box of ornaments that were probably from the Rosings Park drive. It was so similar to how it was just a few days ago, the same red and green decorating the end of the rows, yet everything was different now.
Maybe it wasn’t William’s job Brexton envied, but his relationship with Dahlia.
“Tell Lady Catherine how grateful I am that she’s hosting the ornament drive at Rosings Park again this year, and thank you for coming to pick up the latest donations.” Brexton turned from Merrick to lead him toward the door, and stopped as he took us in. “Charlotte, Pastor Collins, what can I do for you?”
“I was hoping to ask you a few questions about Dahlia.” I folded my arms.
William gave me a small frown, possibly noting my shift from ‘we’ to ‘I.’ But we couldn’t be a team if I couldn’t trust him.
Brexton swallowed. “I still can’t believe she’s gone. I saw her the other day—the day of your wedding actually—and now it’s difficult to believe that she isn’t here.”
“Losing someone disrupts everything in life.” William patted his arm as if we’d come to console him instead of interrogate him. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
Brexton’s eyes widened. “What? No. We weren’t together or anything.”
“We heard that you and she dated,” I said. “Something that you conveniently failed to mention when you told me to look into Pennyfern.”
“We datedyearsago, but we’ve hardly spoken at all during her last few visits,” he said. “I’ve been interested in someone else for some time now, and from a few hints Dahlia dropped, it seems Dahlia had moved on as well.”
The words were like a punch to my gut, but I tried to keep my expression neutral. Based on the way Brexton’s gaze flicked to mine, I didn’t think I’d done a good job.
“Do you know who she moved on to?” William asked. “Maybe we should talk to them.”
Brexton hesitated, then shrugged. “Sorry, no.”
My stomach tightened, and I resisted the urge to glare at William even though he had no idea he was asking abouthimself. I forced myself to focus on Brexton. “Where were you on the night of our wedding?”
Brexton’s brow furrowed. “After the ceremony, I hung out with some friends. We ended up staying up kind of late, so I crashed at their place. You could ask them if you want to confirm my whereabouts.”
I blew out a breath. I wasn’t sure if I actually believed it could have been Brexton, but having the lead dangled in front of me and taken away just as suddenly was giving me whiplash. The only thing coming here had confirmed was that apparently Dahlia had a thing for religious men. “Is there anything else you think might be helpful?”
“Wait.” He held out a hand. “I don’t know if this is helpful, but I did see Dahlia later that night.”
“Why didn’t you mention this before?” I asked, probably more sharply than I should have.
He winced. “I remembered it after we talked. I was so shaken when I found out about what happened to Dahlia that it slipped my mind.”
“Where did you see her?” William asked.
“Not far from the church. My friends and I swung by to pick something up and ran into her. She seemed distracted. Anxious. I think she said something about the Star of Everlight, but she ran off before I could ask.” He shook his head and absently adjusted one of the small Santa figurines on a desk near the wall. They had a habit of rearranging themselves when no one was watching. “I should’ve checked on her or made sure everything was okay.”
William hovered his hand for a second, then patted Brexton’s arm. “You couldn’t have predicted what happened. But checking in with someone—just a quick message or visit—can make a meaningful difference. It’s a habit worth developing.”
“I know.” Brexton hung his head. “I just regret that there wasn’t more that I could do to help her. Maybe if I had done something, she wouldn’t be gone right now.”
I froze, the word echoing in my mind. Regret. The Museum of Regrets. It had been right in front of me all along. I straightened and turned to William. “I think I know where the Star of Everlight is.”
“Really?” William asked.
“Thanks for your help, Brexton.” I turned to leave.
William followed me to the door, then stepped out to examine the sign out front.
“Charlotte?” Brexton called before I stepped outside.
“Yeah?”
He hesitated again, then glanced behind me at the door, which shut behind William with a quiet click.
