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“Okay I’m ready.” She looks at me, her face radiant and happy. I can see her new beginning reflected in her gaze and for a fleeting moment I feel jealous. I follow her out of the door hiding my own tears. Heart heavy and filled with a loneliness I know oh too well, I follow my sister to her destiny, while mine remains bleak.
* * *
One Week Later
“Hey. I was wondering when I would hear from you.” smiling at Rachel, I followed her inside of her home. It has been two weeks since the adoption event and I meant to reach out but I was busy with my sister.
“I am sorry. My sister was getting married and I had to help with the last minute details.”
“Oh that's awesome. So, will she and her husband stay in Charleston?” As expected the question brings on tears. Mortified, I begin to cry. I feel Rachel wrap her arms around me. “Oh Winona what’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?” I nod my head which is on her shoulder. “Sweet girl, tell me whats wrong.”
Wiping my face like a baby I refuse to meet her eyes but I do answer her because she has always been so nice to me and I don't want her worrying if I said something wrong. “My sister is moving out of state. I will be all alone..again.” God I feel pathetic but the pain is insurmountable or so it feels.
“I am sure she wouldn’t mind you going with her.” I try to smile at her optimism. She and her sisters came here together not wanting to be apart, so someone like her wouldn’t understand.
“Not Missy. She wants a fresh start. She is done looking out for me.” Not that I blame her. Rachel looks pensive for a second before speaking.
“What do you want?” I look up startled for a moment because no one has ever asked me that before. I don’t know how to respond to it. She sighs before grabbing my hand. “Listen, I wasn't going to say anything because frankly, I don’t know you well enough, but have you considered applying to our mail order ad?”
Shaking my head no, I continue to wipe my face. “I’ve heard of it.” I just never considered it an option for me.
“Well I can tell you from experience in this town the men are trustworthy.” As soon as she says it I feel seen. What would make her use that word of all things?
“I mean I can’t marry a stranger.”
“I know it sounds scary but my husband would never match you to someone he didn’t trust. If nothing else you will find someone to lean on, grow in trust and maybe some lust.” She wiggles her eyebrows making me smile. “But most of all you won’t be alone and you can find security and a community you can count on.” Wow. She sounds like a walking brochure. I have to admit it sounds amazing. But am I brave enough to do this? Besides, there is only one man I would consider this with and why in the world would he notice me?
ChapterOne
Raylan
Present Day
I have been working or barely working for the last few hours. I noticed Lloyd busy, scurrying through the town early this morning and I can assume he might have some meetings throughout the day but something about the buzz in the air makes me think it is something else. In recent days he has matched my buddies Fletcher and Lewis, lucky son of a bitches. “Dr. Stets. Did you hear me?” My attention turns back to the lady sitting in my office with her pet turtle, so concerned about the fact he is not eating.
“Yes. I am sorry Lucy. I promise everything is fine. Sometimes when they are going through a growth spurt they don’t eat.” She looks relieved and nods her head. So, snowflake is going to be fine.”
Once I have her convinced there is nothing to worry about she leaves and I sit in my chair, eyes closed. I do this often, reflecting on life, my beginning and where I am trying to go.
I come from a very prominent family. Old money. Oil money. My fourth great grandfather lived here in Hollow’s Hollow, one of the founding fathers. He was smart enough to invest in oil back when it was hopeful but risky. When he struck it big, he moved our family to Louisiana and that is where we reign.
Now I don't want you to get the wrong idea. My family are kind and charitable people. We believe in giving back and are never mean to anyone, but they do have expectations and I have always known I would never fall in line with them.
My grandfather used to sit me on his lap and tell me stories of the summer he would spend here with his mothers family and how much fun he had living simple and free for the summer and that is what I wanted to do for myself. So I told myself once I graduated from vet school I was going to come back here and live. My mother was not happy at all to say the least but it was what I had to do.
Now here I am sitting in my office contemplating my own fate and decisions. The last few weeks have been brutal. I have been waiting, fingers tapping and feet dancing for the day Lloyd comes to me and says she answered the ad. Of course I have questioned why someone as young and beautiful as she is would need to. I mean what man in his right mind wouldn’t try to lock her down and make her his wife, right? But it all comes back to the sadness in her eyes. The soul-wrenching lack of trust in humanity. A hurt so deep she finds solace only in animals and books. A girl like that would never date.
So, I have been hatching my eggs in one basket and as crazy as it sounds I bought a plot of land behind the Sutton Ranch and that is where the ground broke yesterday to build our dream home complete with an animal rescue and shelter. See, I'm crazy. This girl has me all turned upside down while I wait for her to be mine.“ Dr. Stets mayor Hollow is here to see you.” My heart begins to thump so loud I am sure you can hear it through a brick wall.
“Send him in.” I jump out of my chair no longer able to hold in the angst I have been under the last few weeks. Pacing, I finally turn to look out of my office window, taking deep breaths in and out. I hear the door open and force myself to stand in one spot.
“Good Afternoon my friend.” Lloyd walks right in and sits in the chair in front of my desk.
“Mayor. To what do I owe this visit?” Good job playing it cool fool.
“First I would like to thank you for your patience and for not trying to force the issue with Winona. My wife has taken up a role in her life as a surrogate big sister, well as much of one as the young lady will allow. Rachel wanted the timing to be right and for Winona to be receptive.” That word. That fucking word send s vibrating ring through my ears because I know what is coming next. I know the next words out of his mouth are going to bring everything I have been waiting for within reach. “Your patience has not been in vain. She completed the ad and you have been matched.”
On the outside I look calm and cool like this is just a minor revelation, but on the inside I am scrooge on the day he woke up and realized he hadn’t missed Christmas. I am fucking vibrating. I walk over to him, my hand extended. “Thank you, my friend. Thank you.” Now I just have to get her to say yes.
