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Would they be close? Would dealing with her mother’s death be easier?
She couldn’t imagine so. The ache that sliced through her right now was deep enough that it didn’t feel like anything would make it better.
Except it would eventually subside. She had logic on her side. The grief would abate when she dove into her new purpose—taking care of her father.
Scarlett could feel Elijah’s judgmental stare on her again. No one held a grudge quite like Elijah. There was no reason for him to be so cranky, especially after so much time had passed. It wasn’t like she was the same Scarlett he’d known before—not that she’d been all that bad. Elijah was just… stubborn. He wanted everything to be just so.
This time, she forced herself to focus on the conversation at hand.
“Then Brielle told Wade there was no way he was going to buy that new bull, and if he did, he was gonna be sleeping in the barn with it.” Lucas laughed, and his gaze darted toward Scarlett briefly. “Can you imagine? Not even a year ago, Wade would have been the one to put her in her place. But I guess that’s what marriage does to you.” His gaze locked on Scarlett. “Don’t you agree, Scar? Marriage is for the weak.”
Several pairs of eyes turned toward her and she choked on the water she’d just sipped from her glass. “What?”
“I seem to recall you had zero interest in getting married. I believe your exact words were that a woman could make it in this world without the help of a man just fine.” He winked at her, and suddenly the flutters from her childhood crush disappeared. She must have changed a great deal for something so simple to turn her off.
“I don’t think I ever saidthat.”
“Oh, come on, Scarlett. You swore off men back when we turned twenty,” Annabel said as she laughed. “We made a pact, remember? We were going to stay single until we got everything we wanted in our lives and then some.”
Scarlett found herself flushing. Yes, things had changed drastically since that time. It seemed like a lifetime ago. She took another sip of her water, but even as the cold liquid spilled down her throat, she couldn’t shake the embarrassment she currently experienced over just how vocal she’d been back then. She cleared her throat and offered a small laugh in response. “Actually, I think I’ve gotten to a point where I would rather find someone to spend my life with.”
The room went quiet. This family wasn’t like any other she’d met. It was like her statement was blasphemy, but only because it appeared Annabel and Lucas had both opted to stay single just like she had. Perhaps Elijah had felt the same way; she couldn’t be certain because she refused to meet his gaze.
The lump in her throat continued to swell and the blush she was certain she wore deepened. “That’s one of the reasons I’m back.” She met her friend’s gaze, surprised to find Annabel looking so disappointed. “I was going to tell you when we talked later. But I guess this is as good a time as any. I’m moving back—indefinitely. It’s time for me to settle down and start a family.”
“What are you talking about?” Annabel whispered. “I thought… you said you loved your life. Everything was perfect.” The hurt in her voice didn’t quite make sense. It was as if Annabel had been frozen in time all these years apart.
Scarlett’s gaze darted away. “Maybe we could go hang out on the porch or something.”
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” Annabel got up, leaving her plate at the table. “I’d love to find out how you got brainwashed.”
Scarlett blinked. This wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. She’d hoped her friend would be thrilled that she was back, but right now it didn’t feel like she was in acceptance of the person Scarlett had grown into. She got to her feet and followed Annabel toward the door.
Elijah’s hard stare was hard to miss when she passed him, and the hairs on the back of her neck refused to settle even long after she’d made it outside.
Annabel settled onto the porch swing—the one on which they’d spent summer nights chatting. It creaked and groaned but thankfully didn’t snap under the weight. Scarlett gave Annabel a dubious look when she patted the area beside her.
“I don’t really feel like sitting down right now,” she murmured.
At least Annabel smiled at that. She tilted her head and let out a sigh. “Okay. Tell me what happened.”
“What do you mean? My mom died.”
“No, what happened to make you change who you are?”
“I’m still the same me,” Scarlett insisted. She scooted back and leaned against the railing. “I guess I’ve just realized that life is short. My mom was only fifty-four. She still had her whole life ahead of her. I can’t spend the rest of mine wasting it on a career.”
“But you love your job.”
“Yeah, I did. But it’s not the end all. What happens when my dad passes? I’ll be alone.”
“You won’t be alone,” Annabel argued. “You’ll have us. You know that, right?”
Scarlett shrugged. “Of course I do. But eventually you will fall in love and start a family. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being the fun aunt. I want a family of my own.”
“But…” Annabel’s brows furrowed, but at least she didn’t appear disappointed anymore. “You always said that you didn’t want to be defined by a guy or a kid. Not that it’s bad… but you were right. Some people just don’t want to be tied down. That’s what we decided, remember?”
“People change, Anna. I’ve changed. It took losing my mom to make me realize that I’ve been doing it all wrong.”
