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Rosalielaughed, andIndyshrugged. “WhatcanIsay?Kiddeserved it.Oliwas a sweetheart then, and he’s a sweetheart now.”Rosaliesaw something flicker inIndy’seyes, a wistfulness, a longing, and she wondered if there was more to the story there.
“Hey, who wants to come browse the market with me?” saidAutumn, appearing from the other side of the fire.Anolder woman was by her side, her graying curls spilling from under a bright red knit hat. “MomandIwant to look before the best stuff is gone.”
“I’llgo with you,” saidHazel, finishing her hot chocolate and tossing the cup in the nearby garbage can.
“Rosalie, you should come with us,” saidAutumn, her eyes twinkling in the firelight.Therewas something unnerving about the wayAutumnlooked at people, almost as though she could see right to the core of them.
“Oh, this isRosalie!” said the older woman, and she moved forward, her hand extended. “I’mJulieShephard,Jack’smom.Andhis,” she said, pointing toAdam. “Andhis,” she added, pointing toOliver. “Andobviously hers,” she finished with a laugh, tipping her head inAutumn’sdirection.
JackgaveRosaliea squeeze, and she shook his mother’s hand. “It’sso nice to meet you,” she said.
“Likewise.Chloehas just been gushing about you.”
Rosalieblushed, her heart feeling full.Truthbe told, she adoredChloe, too.Shewas smart and hilarious, fun and caring.
“I’vebeen enjoying getting to know her,” she said, grinning from ear to ear. “She’sa wonderful girl.”
Sheglanced over atJack, and she swore she saw him blinking back tears.
Andshe knew.Sheloved him.ShelovedJack, and she could easily love his daughter, and she lovedGossamerFalls.
Shedidn’t want to go back to the city.
Shewanted to stay.
Twenty-Six
Rosaliewalked along the market stalls withAutumn,Hazel, andJulie, barely taking in the displays of goods for sale as her mind spun and reeled with the realization that had slammed into her by the bonfire.
Shedidn’t want to go back to the city.And, as much as it pained her to admit it, she didn’t want to keep working forCarrie.Itwasn’t that she didn’t likeCarrie.Butthe job wasn’t fulfilling anymore.Itwasn’t what she wanted.
Everythingshe wanted was right here.Jack, the town, his family.Maybeshe could take over forBarbaraat the food bank.Justthe idea of it had her heart soaring.
“Oooh, look,” saidHazel. “Ididn’t knowFionawas going to be here.”
“Who’sFiona?” askedRosalie.
“FionaCrawleyruns theMysticMuse,” saidAutumn. “Theysell all kinds of goodies, like crystals, tarot cards, incense.Veryfun and witchy,” she said with a little grin.Thenher eyes went wide. “Ifshe’s offering readings, you should get one.”
“Readings?”
“Haveyou ever had your tarot cards read?” askedHazel.Rosalieshook her head. “Iwasn’t into that stuff at all beforeImoved here, but…having my cards read byFionakinda changed my life.Ina very good way.Itopened my eyes to what my heart truly wanted, and let me have faith that even though big changes can be scary, everything will work out in the end.”
Rosalie’seyebrows went up.Giventhat she was currently contemplating some big changes, a little reassurance didn’t sound so bad.
Thewomen approachedFiona’stent, where she had a gorgeous display of candles, dried herbs, crystal jewellery, books, and tarot cards.
“Helloladies,” she trilled, adjusting her black scarf and then her thick glasses.Amass of blond and white curls puffed out from under her knit hat. “It’sso nice to see—”Shecut off midsentence as her luminous eyes landed onRosalie. “Ah, yes.Iknew someone new was coming.Yes, hmm.Welcome.”
“Thankyou,” saidRosalie, a touch of uncertainty creeping in.
“Fiona, this isRosalie,” saidHazel.
“Wouldyou like a reading, dear?”Fionaasked kindly. “Ican see that you’ve already been to the falls, yes, but you…you need certainty.Reassurance.Andwhat is that?”Sheleaned forward, peering through her glasses. “You’vegot a smudge…”Shelifted her hand and for a moment,Rosaliethought she was going to wipe some bit of food or dirt off of her face.Butinstead, her hand hovered in the air, just toRosalie’sright. “Ah, yes.Doubt.Isee it now.Come.Let’ssee what the cards have to say, shall we?”
“We’llleave you to it,” saidAutumnwith a wink, and the other women sauntered away, leavingRosaliealone withFiona.
“WhatdoIdo?I’venever…”Sheshook her head.
