I joined my father in his laughter and slapped a hand to my knee at the image of my older brothers, John and Lee, big burly men who never cried, breaking down in tears.
And Inez had cried over me, too. It was quite a change from the harsh words she’d used to describe my life and my role in our family.
“What happened?”
“Nothing big,” Papa said with a sigh, and I could almost see him roll his eyes. “But they aren’t used to doing the hard work, so it’s got them out of sorts. We’ve been surviving on takeout since the leftovers ran out.”
I made a face. “You need to be eating veggies. Please tell me it hasn’t been all pizza.”
“While you’re away we can have a few pleasures,” my father reasoned, making me roll my eyes. “When are you coming back?”
I stilled at the question. Each new day—hell, each newhourhad forced me to be present in my current situation. I hadn’t considered much beyond New Year’s and the celebration dance I would be attending with Callum.
WhatwouldI do past then? Would I stay for another month?Or more?
“I don’t know,” I responded. “It hasn’t come up yet with my boss, but I might...I might stay for a while.”
The thought hadn’t been fully formed until the moment I’d spoken it aloud, and I was shocked at how right it felt.
My father hummed. “So long as you’re happy.”
“You have to promise to at least have veggies on the pizza and burgers I know y’all are eating,” I ordered, making my father sigh.
“Fine, fine, but I want it known that while you’re gone you give up rights to enforce healthy lifestyle choices.”
I blew out a sigh, but a string of questions cut off my crusade for healthy eating. It was comforting to get lost in the particulars of my new life, and before I knew it two hours had slipped past.
“Goodbye, mija. Call me this weekend.”
“I will, I promise. I love you.”
“Love you too. Have fun and be safe.”
The phone clicked and he was gone. To my surprise, I felt happy. The call with my father had filled a hole I hadn’t known existed. My father’s words, especially his admission that what had been going on had been unfair, bolstered me.
It was one thing to travel halfway around the world on an impulse in search of adventure. It was another thing to be told the decision had been warranted. Validation was all I’d ever sought from my family, and my father had delivered it in spades.
And now I was free to explore Scotland and everything my time here offered me without the worry of home looming over my head. I was free to become someone new: the type of woman who did things for herself, who knew she deserved the best from life.
This woman was someone I didn't know, but was excited to meet.
I crossed the room to the window and looked out at the quaint skyline of Sithean.
It wasn’t home, but I was happy to think that it might one day be.
* * *
“Have you given much thought to what ye’ll do after the New Year?” Agnes asked as we placed the last of the pick-up orders on the counter. It was New Year’s Eve and we were closing early in preparation of the night’s festivities.
The bakeshop had been a flurry of activity over the past two days. I’d wondered out loud about the fey folk when we were both barely functional at five in the morning and portioning out ingredients. “They only come when I need them. They know I have you now,” Agnes had replied.
It had been exhausting, but so worth it now that we were done. I smiled and stretched my arms overhead, admiring our handiwork. “I’m not sure. At least not yet,” I said, turning to face Agnes and letting my voice trail off. I’d meant to bring up the possibility of me staying on with her into the next year, but it hadn’t come up. I was shy at the prospect of asking to stay. “Unless you need more help?” I hedged.
Agnes leaned a hip against the counter. “Would you want to stay on with me? I can give you a raise, and more responsibilities.” From the smile she gave me it appeared as if she had counted on me staying put. I returned her smile and gave her hand a squeeze.
“Of course I’ll stay on.”
“Ye dinna ken how happy that makes me!” Agnes reached out, catching me in a hug that warmed me through and through. “And Callum will be happy too,” she said, giving me a knowing wink.
