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“Opening my heart again to love—it was a huge leap of faith for me. I knew I needed to do it not only for me but for my daughter as well.”
Fighting to keep my tears at bay, I asked, “How did you do it? How did you move on without feeling…guilty?”
“Oh, I felt guilty, but my mother told me to ask myself if it had been me who passed and my husband was left with our daughter, would I want him to be happy?” Looking down, she smiled. “I would. I wouldn’t want my husband to live the rest of his life without love.”
I glanced back at the little girl running around laughing. Wat
ching her was freeing. Something moved through me as I watched this family living out their second chance at love and happiness.
Smiling, I looked back at the mother as I whispered, “Love really does heal all wounds, doesn’t it?”
Smiling too, she said, “Love is such a powerful thing. Once we allow it into our hearts, it’s amazing how it heals not only our heart, but our soul as well. We never forget, but we do heal.” Glancing at her husband and child, she let out a small chuckle. “I guess everything really does happen for a reason.”
Reaching in my pocket, I felt the charm. Closing my eyes, I was taken back to the day TJ was born and heard the words Trey had whispered. My life would never be the same without my son in it, but I knew deep in my heart, love was healing the pain of losing TJ and Trey.
My lower lip trembled as I rubbed my fingers against my charm and I whispered, “Yes, it certainly does. If you’ll excuse me. Enjoy your day.”
Smiling the sweetest smile I’d ever seen, the mother nodded and said, “Every princess deserves her happily ever after. Follow your heart.”
My heart dropped to my stomach as I nodded and smiled. Quickly walking away, I rushed down the boardwalk and into the hotel. My heart was slamming against my chest as I fought to drag in air.
Reaching my room, I shut the door, took off my coat, and slid down the wall until I hit the floor. Burying my face in my hands, I cried out, “Oh God. What have I done?”
Dropping my head back against the door, I tried to calm myself down. Jumping up, I walked over to the small kitchen area and pulled out the Nutella and a spoon.
Taking a bite of Nutella, I looked down at my phone.
Preston.
Setting the Nutella down, I wiped my tears away as I turned my phone on. I hadn’t had it on since Christmas, and it was now the first week of February. I had used a prepaid phone each time I called Jake. Knowing how upset he was with me, I had only called him three times. Each conversation was less than two minutes. Enough for me to tell him I was okay and that I loved him. Each time he begged me to call Preston.
Finding Preston’s number, I hit DIAL and held my breath.
Voicemail. It went straight to voicemail. Closing my eyes, a small sob escaped my lips as my chest felt like a heavy weight had been placed on it. Setting my phone down on the side table, I walked over to the window and looked out.
“Preston. I love you so much. I’m so sorry.”
Stepping out onto the balcony, I glanced down the beach toward the lighthouse. My heart instantly stopped. A man stood on the beach, looking out over the water. The moment his hand pushed through his hair, I sucked in a breath.
Preston? An instant rush of adrenaline raced through my veins as I screamed out, “Preston!” Turning, I rushed to grab my coat. My hands were trembling as I kept saying his name over and over.
Rushing out the door, I ran down the steps, not waiting for the elevator.
Running through the crowded lobby, I called out, “Excuse me! Please, he’s going to leave! Excuse me, coming through!”
People quickly stepped out of my way as I rushed out the door that led to the beach. Racing down the boardwalk, I prayed like hell that he was still standing there.
Please, God. Please give me this second chance. I beg of you!
Hitting the sand, I came to a stop. He was standing at the edge of the water, looking out. The wind was now blowing harder as a front moved through. Smiling, I screamed, “Preston!”
I’d never run so fast in my life, calling out his name. My eyes never left him as he stood there, not moving as he looked out over the ocean.
“Preston!”
The wind was howling and the waves crashed on the shore. Preston lifted the collar of his jacket and turned to leave. I stopped and screamed out as loud as I could, “Preston!”
Stopping, he turned and looked at me. My heart dropped as tears fell freely. It really was him.
