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EPILOGUE
Winter nights in the village were magical. “I’m so happy I moved here.” With her wool gloves, thick, soft scarf wrapped around her neck, and puffy parka, Della skated alongside Micky on the rink. She’d been so wrong about being a third wheel in her friend’s life. This woman would always be her family.
“Me, too.” Cheeks red from the cold, Micky kept her eye on her stepdaughter, skating just ahead with Rhys. They’d left the newborn at home with her grandmother.
Strands of white lights wove around wrought iron lamp posts, wreaths hung off the doors of all the charming boutiques, and horses clopped by on the cobblestone streets hauling festive carriages. Wild Wolff Village felt like living in a storybook.
Best of all, she got to live here with the love of her life.
As Christmas music played, groups of teenagers, families, and sweethearts glided around the rink. Her heart squeezed because Bex wouldn’t be home for another week.
After holing up in their Wild Wolff Village home for the past five months to write songs, he’d sent a demo to his old A&R rep at the label. It wasn’t the right sound for her, but she’d passed it along to a colleague who was absolutely blown away.
He’d be home as soon as he finished up his meetings in New York, and then they’d spend their first holiday together.
Bliss.
All at once, Micky’s stepdaughter stopped skating and looked up at her dad. As he bent over to talk to her, Addi pointed to the clock tower. He nodded, and the little girl pulled something out of her coat pocket and skated over to Della. With glittering eyes, she said, “I have something for you, Auntie Della.”
“For me?” Christmas wasn’t for another three weeks, so she had no idea what it could be. But she happily took the pale pink envelope.
“It’s a scavenger hunt.”
“Oh. Okay. That sounds fun.” The four of them glided to the side of the rink where she unfolded the pretty stationary and read the first line. “I almost bought a house, thinking it was a home.” Recognizing the writing, she looked at them. “Is this from Bex?”
Addi nodded vigorously.
“He arranged this for me?” A low hum of excitement kicked up in her belly. He was the sweetest, most thoughtful man. No matter how busy they both were—him in the studio, and her doing schoolwork—he always made time for her. He was the best at coming up with romantic things for them to do.
She just loved him so much. She missed sleeping in his arms, cooking meals together, and curling up on the couch where they’d talk about any random thing that entered their minds.
Addi tugged on the hem of Della’s coat. “Read the whole thing. It’s a poem.”
She was a little anxious because she wasn’t sure where it would lead. Was there a cute present waiting for her at the end? Could it be her dad, coming early to spend the holidays with them? Chill out and just go with it. “I almost bought a house, thinking it was a home. I could picture myself at the table, daisies in a glass jar, a mug of coffee in my hands.” Confused, Della looked up at them. “That’s it? I’m not sure he knows how a scavenger hunt works.”
Everyone burst out laughing, and Addi pointed to the espresso kiosk. “Coffee, Auntie Della.” She clapped her hands. “Go, go.”
Hugging the notecard to her chest, she laughed as she made her way off the ice. “Are you guys coming with me?”
“Nope,” Micky said. “This hunt’s all yours.”
Sitting down on a bench, Della removed her skates, put on her boots, and headed for the kiosk.
Even before she arrived, an older man in a red and green apron stepped out and handed her a paper cup. “You must be Della.” He pulled an envelope out of the apron pocket. “And this is your second clue.”
“Oh, my goodness, this is crazy.”
As he stepped behind the counter, he said, “In the very best way.”
Della took a sip of the creamy, warm cocoa and headed away from the crowd to read the note in private. But first, she couldn’t help pulling out her phone and calling Bex. Unfortunately, it went right to voicemail. “I don’t even know what time it is.” She glanced at the big clock in the center of the square. “Oh, it’s only nine in New York. I guess you’re out to dinner? All right, you nut, so I’m in the middle of this scavenger hunt, and I’m drinking my cocoa, and everything is perfect…except you’re not here.” She lowered her voice. “I know it’s only been a week. I know I’ve lived without you for twenty-six years, but my God, Bex, I notice every single second that we’re not together. I miss you.” She sighed. “Deep in my bones. Like a piece of my soul is missing when you’re not with me.” Which, of course, was why he’d created the hunt. To keep her close to him. “But okay, whatever. I’m going to read my next clue now.” She took another sip, not wanting to disconnect from him. “I love you. I love you so, so, so much. Call me when you get back to your room.” Setting the cocoa down on a brick wall, she pulled the card out of the envelope.
I almost bought a house, thinking it was a home.
I pictured myself at the table, daisies in a glass jar, a mug of coffee in my hands.
The lawn freshly mowed, and the fence painted white.
And yet this feeling…this feeling follows me everywhere. I’m alone.
