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He might not believe in miracles, but he could still wish for one. Better yet, he could make it for himself and for Scarlet.
ChapterEight
Predawn sunlight castfaint streams of fiery golden rays. She ran her fingers over the cracked and worn cover ofAll Things Great and Small.
“You gonna stare at that book all day or you gonna open it to see what he wrote inside?” Aunt Laura sauntered into the café and settled in the seat across from Scarlet.
She’d been up all night thinking through everything, trying to figure out why she hadn’t returned to Atlanta despite figuring out that her aunt didn’t need her anymore. “Snoop much?”
Aunt Laura shrugged. “Happened to come down when you two were talking.”
Scarlet shot her a sideways glower. “Eavesdropping, then.”
“Doesn’t change the question.”
“I have a better question for you. Did you put that book in the free library box?” Scarlet shoved theOnce Upon a Kissbook across the table, but Aunt Laura retreated from it.
“What? You really believe if you have that book you’ll be in love by Christmas? That’s insane. I’m going to prove the legend isn’t real. Duke is headed here now, and when he gets here, I’m going to show him how to get his loan and then I’m going to return to Atlanta. I’ve worked too hard to make a life for myself; I’m not going to abandon it because of some stupid legend.”
“Of course not,” Aunt Laura said in an alarmingly convincing way.
“But?”
“But it isn’t about how hard you’ve worked. You shouldn’t have to work that hard to love someone.”
“I’m not my mother. I won’t walk away from something real to chase the next breeze. Nothing you say will change my mind.”
“I can see that.” Aunt Laura stood, smoothed out her shirt, and lifted her chin. “My words shouldn’t weigh into your decision. I’m all healed up, so feel free to go.”
“Fine, I will.”
“But forget about the legendary book and open the one he gave you. Read his words.”
Scarlet eyed the physical reminder that the man didn’t even say goodbye to her before she left for college, never wrote, and never told her why he didn’t want to see her again. “Nothing he says now can change my mind.”
“Then open it.”
Scarlet eyed the book and part of her knew Aunt Laura was right; she was scared to face whatever waited on the other side of that front cover. Because if something kept her here then she’d be no better than her mother, running out on someone she was supposed to be with. Then why hadn’t Scarlet left yet? The question rolled through her mind once more and bumped into the truth. “I’m my mother.”
“What?” Aunt Laura rubbed Scarlet’s arm as if rubbing the cold from her limbs. “No, hon. You’re nothing like her.”
“Yes, I am. Think about it. My boyfriend tells me he’s ready to marry me and I’m still here. That’s exactly what my mother would do.”
Aunt Laura shook her head. “No. You’ve got it all wrong. Your mother always ran from something good, you ran toward something good. Your life, your home, your family, your one true love.”
“He was never mine to love.” Scarlet shot from the table and paced the floor. Her fingers laced together behind her head, her elbows out, back straight, she tried to find air. “I’m leaving as soon as I help him with his loan. I won’t be her.” Scarlet’s voice choked and she thought the grief would spill out of her. “You know, I don’t know why it still hurts. I don’t even want to see her again at this point.”
“It hurts because you’re not your mother. You have a kind and loving heart. There isn’t a narcissistic bone in your body. Your mother craves attention. You crave love, so allow yourself to be loved.” Aunt Laura never sounded so desperate. Her pleading tone clawed at Scarlet’s determination.
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to go back to that moment when she sat on the school steps waiting to be picked up for Christmas break all those years ago. She should’ve known then that her mother would never return, but she clung to childish wishes for years.
“Christmas is a commercial holiday that makes people believe in happy families and bright futures. I’m not falling for that anymore. Life is real and hard when you live for the impossible things you can’t control. My life might not be what you want, but it’s perfect for me, and you need to respect that.” Scarlet straightened the papers the way she planned to straighten her life.
Aunt Laura grabbed Scarlet’s arms and spun her. Face-to-face, she trapped Scarlet into listening to her. “I see the way you light up when Duke enters a room. The way you flush when he looks at you. The smile when he touches you. I saw the way you lost yourself in his attention before I interrupted.”
“Flashes of empty promises and broken dreams.” Scarlet shoved from Aunt Laura, grabbedOnce Upon a Christmas Kiss, and marched outside. She shot a glower over her shoulder. “This belongs to someone else, and if the legend is true, a person who wants true love will find it. I don’t want such fanciful things in my life.” She opened the glass doors to the beautiful free little library Duke created, shoved the book inside, and closed the door.
The unmistakable backfire of Duke’s truck announced his arrival. “I ask you not to interfere any longer. I promise to visit you twice a year. If you truly believe I’m not my mother, then you take my word for it. That is the best I can offer. However, you’re always welcome to move to Atlanta. I’d help you get set up and I’d take care of all your bills. I love you, Aunt Laura, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, so stop worrying I’ll abandon you.”
