Page 121 of Within These County Lines

I thought we’d head straight to his mom after breaking the curse, but nope, we had to stop for sweets first. He figured once he reunited with her, she wouldn’t let him stockpile sugar like this. Apparently, she hated his sweet tooth. But I have a feeling that after ten years apart, she’ll let him do whatever he wants. I lean across the center console and push open the passenger door as his beaming smile nears my truck.

“That was insane!” he squeals, tossing the bags on the floor and hopping in. “The moment I stepped inside, a worker said hi to me. Then I bumped into a woman in the candy aisle, and she apologized. She looked at me. They saw me!” He’s breathless. “When I checked out, the cashier handed me the receipt and our fingers brushed. I felt his finger! Can you believe that?”

“I don’t want to,” I say. “Not if other guys are out there holding your hand.”

He grins and hands me a chocolate bar. “Don’t worry. No one else’s touch makes my heart stop like yours.” His nose wrinkles.

“Barf,” Dara says from the back seat. “Can I have my credit card back?”

“Yeah.” Xander flips it into her lap. “Thanks for the treat. I’ll try to start making my own money soon.”

“You better,” she says. “I thought you were getting a candy bar, not the whole Halloween aisle.”

“Oh, his addiction is real,” I say.

“I hope Stetson still likes you when your teeth fall out,” Dara says, swiping a pack of M&M’s from Xander’s lap.

His face falls. “I hadn’t thought of that. I’m going to get cavities now. And stomach aches. And sunburn. And wrinkles. And under-eye bags. We need to change me back.”

I laugh. “I think once you see your mom, all this will feel worth it. Should we take you home?”

Dara clears her throat. “Can you drop me at the bus station first? I need to get back to Fairmont.”

I glance at her. “You don’t want to see your family?”

“I do,” she says softly. “But just my mom. And she’s not in Penango. She’s the only one who never gave up on me.”

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know.” She hums and looks out the window. “But I’ve got a feeling the winding roads will take me to her. Just like they took you to me.”

We drive without a word. Xander munches on Sour Patch Kids while Dara stares out at the passing fields, her black hair swirling in the wind.

I won’t miss the cursed life, but I’ll miss cruising around town with two people who understood me instantly, when the rest of town couldn’t figure me out in eighteen years.

At the bus station, only one other person is waiting to leave Penango. Most are still choosing to stay.

Dara hops out just as the bus rolls into the lot.

She leans through Xander’s open window. “Hey, you two. Don’t let anyone tell you your love doesn’t belong on the Ardor Tree.”

My cheeks warm. “When will we see you again?”

She looks to the sky. “Let’s meet at the Ardor Tree next summer. We’ll make it our annual reunion.”

“Deal,” I say. “We can make sure no other kids repeat our mistake.”

She shrugs. “Or maybe we let them learn their lesson.”

“No!” Xander blurts. “Some lessons don’t need to be taught twice.”

Dara and I laugh.

“Take this,” Xander says, tossing her a pack of gum. “I’ve got a feeling there’s going to be a lot of kissing in your future. The boys haven’t seen a face that pretty in years.”

She rolls her eyes and walks backward toward the bus. “Good luck at college, Stetson!” She waves. “Good luck at life, Xander! Don’t blow your second chance! I know I won’t.”

I glance over and catch Xander wiping a tear. “Are you crying?” I ask.