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Charlie tilted his head. “What was he like?”
“He was very handsome, of course,” Rudy went on. “He was creative and arrogant. He thought he had a mastery of everything. But one thing that sticks out to me is how overtly he insulted Charlotte the first time he met the family.”
Charlie’s eyes widened.
“You know, she writes and illustrates her own children’s books?”
Charlie hadn’t known that. His heart thudded. He found that incredibly beautiful and suddenly longed to hold one of her books in his hands, to flip through its pages and indulge in the gorgeous details.
“Anyway, her ex insinuated that she wasn’t writing ‘real’ books. That children’s books required less intellect than adult books. It was really rude and cruel,” Rudy went on. “You could see he was trying to belittle her to feel better about himself. At that time, though, Charlotte was already pregnant with Van and head-over-heels in love.”
Charlie couldn’t believe Rudy was spilling this story so easily. It was almost as though he needed Charlie to understand Charlotte on another level, to recognize that he handled delicate, breakable goods.
“But my Aunt Louise hated him,” Rudy said. “I don’t know the details, but she told Charlotte she was making a huge mistake. They didn’t speak after that. Even after Van and Collin were born, Louise kept her distance.”
“That Summers’ stubbornness,” Charlie said.
“Exactly.” Rudy sighed. “But when I heard Charlotte and Louise were hanging around each other again— and that Charlotte had made a new friend in you— I felt so hopeful. Maybe this is the year the curse is broken.”
Charlie was quiet for a moment. Rudy looked at him, captivated, as though expecting him to say something that would solve the Summers’ problems.
“You heard about Charlotte inviting all us cousins to the Cherry Inn?” Rudy went on.
Charlie nodded. “She’s calling it one last Christmas. But I can’t imagine her parting with the Cherry Inn.”
“No way,” Rudy said. “If I had money to bet, I’d say we’ll be celebrating at the Cherry Inn every year for the next twenty.”
Charlie smiled. It was comforting, thinking of that family all together, year after year. He imagined Charlotte at the helm, roasting turkeys, baking pies, and turning into her Grandma Dee.
“I don’t know how she’ll manage it,” Rudy added. “But if anyone can, it’s our Charlotte.”
Charlie finished his drink and stared into the glass. Rudy was directly on the other side of the counter, staring at him.
“And maybe you’ll be around for Christmas?” Rudy broached.
Charlie forced his eyes toward Rudy’s. The bar was completely empty except for the two of them, and another snowfall peppered the dark air outside.
“White Plains wasn’t a random decision,” Charlie said finally. “I came here for a reason.”
Rudy set his jaw. “You wanted to buy the inn and flip it?”
“No. I couldn’t care less about developing anything right now,” Charlie said. He rubbed his chest. “Three years ago, my wife, daughter, and I rented a farmhouse on the outskirts of White Plains.”
Immediately, Rudy’s face paled with recognition. “You’re that father.”
Charlie’s heart thudded. His story had probably spread like wildfire through these parts. Accidents around Christmastime were always particularly heartbreaking— and memorable.
“Your wife and daughter,” Rudy whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
Charlie raised his shoulders. The word “sorry” no longer affected him. “I haven’t properly mourned,” he said finally. “I threw myself into work and pretended like they never existed at all. I became a monster, someone I didn’t recognize. And now, here I am, just about ten miles from where I killed them…”
Rudy waved his hand. “It was an accident, Charlie.”
Charlie swallowed the lump in his throat. Shame pressed hard on his shoulders and chest. He removed his wallet and paid Rudy, adding a huge tip. There was a reason he never spoke about Sarah and Melissa aloud. Talking about it made it so much more real and present.
“I’d better be on my way,” Charlie said, unable to look at Rudy.
“Stay for another, Charlie. On the house.”
