Prologue
Rose stood on the steps to her house, her heart stumbling as she shakily held out the key. It took three tries to get the key settled into the lock and turn it. She swung the door open and stepped inside, bracing herself against the wave of emotions rising up and threatening to smother her.
One deep breath and she set the keys down on the table by the door. The memories swirled around her. She swept her gaze around the room.
The late afternoon sun filtered in through the windows, bathing the worn leather couch that Emmett had loved so much. An old pair of his shoes still peeked out from beneath the couch. He never seemed to remember to put them away, but she hadn’t really minded. She’d just always gone behind him and put them away in their closet.
Why had she left those shoes there for so many months? That was silly, wasn’t it? But somehow, putting them away—or worse yet, packing them up—seemed so final.
She straightened her shoulders. But that was exactly why she was back here. Someone could make good use of his clothes if she donated them. It was silly and selfish to just let them hang in the closet.
She walked over to the couch and ran her hand along the arm, the leather soft to her touch. She closed her eyes, imagining Emmett sitting there. Reading a book. Watching television. Or just sitting there talking to her.
Opening her eyes, she headed to the kitchen and got a drink of water from the faucet, glancing out the back window at the garden. What was left of the garden in late fall, anyway.
She’d have to go out there and clean it up. After setting the glass in the sink, she went over to the fridge and tugged the door open, then shook her head. She hadn’t planned on staying so long in Moonbeam. The original plan had been to stay for one week. But one week became two, which became a month, which became longer…
But she finally knew she had to return home. There were decisions to be made. Things to be done.
Starting with cleaning out the fridge and throwing out the expired items. She grabbed the trash bin and started to work. It was easier to face throwing away the food than think about packing up Emmett’s things.
She wasn’t sure how she was going to get through all of this. She didn’t really want help with it though. It was something she needed to do. Say goodbye to his things. Let them go. No matter how hard it was going to be.
After finishing with the fridge, she decided the kitchen needed a good cleaning. It was evening by the time she was done. She should have gone by the grocery store for something to make for dinner. Staring into the pantry, she spotted a packet of microwave popcorn. That would work. She popped the corn and poured herself a glass of wine. Her favorite wrap was hanging by the back door, and she draped it over her shoulders.
She headed out to the back porch and sat down with her bowl of popcorn and glass of wine. She used to love to sit out here with Emmett. They’d come out and talk about their days. Unwind. Watch the birds at the bird feeder. Not that there were any birds at the feeder now. The seed was long gone since she’d been away in Moonbeam for so long.
She gently rocked back and forth, watching the evening darken and the night appear with its sparkling stars dotting the sky. Emmett knew all of the constellations, and she tried to recall their names as she stared up at the sky. Why hadn’t she memorized them when she
had the chance?
“Emmett, I miss you so much,” she whispered into the darkness. “I have some hard decisions to make. I just need to get up my courage to make them.”
Long after the popcorn and wine were gone, she remained sitting there, her wrap—the one Emmett had bought her—comforting her as she rocked back and forth, as if he had his arm around her.
She finally stood and brought her dishes inside, setting them in the sink. Then she turned out the light and headed down the long hall to their bedroom. Her bedroom.
Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks as she sat on the bed. It was so hard being back here. And yet, how could she bear to give up the home they’d shared for so many years?
But how could she move on with her life if she stayed? And Emmett would want her to move on. He’d said so in the long days of his illness when she’d sat by his bedside. And she’d promised him she would.
But it was so hard to actually keep that promise…
Chapter 1
WEEKS LATER…
Violet stood back, eyeing the Christmas tree she’d just put up in the reception area of Blue Heron Cottages. Was it crooked? She tilted her head. Yes, it definitely leaned to the left. And just a minute ago, it leaned to the right. Annoyed, she stood with her hands on her hips, inspecting the tree that wouldn’t cooperate. Then she crawled back under the tree once again.
The door opened and her brother came in. “Oh, hey. You got the tree up.” Rob narrowed his eyes. “But it’s crooked.”
“Thanks. I always love hearing your opinion.” Her words came out a bit sharper than she intended. She stood up, took a step back, and let out a long sigh. “I know it. I keep adjusting it but then it tilts in the other direction.”
“Here, let me help.”
Even though she hated that Rob was always rescuing her, she could use the help. He stepped closer, grabbed the trunk, and adjusted it, shoving it farther down into the stand.
And the tree stood perfectly straight. Of course.
He grinned in triumph with a flourish of his hand. “Ta-da.”
She glared at the tree. One move from Rob and it decided to behave? She hated having Rob fix things for her. Things she should be able to do herself. She gave him a weak smile. “Yes, thanks.”
“It’s a bit early to put up a tree, don’t you think?”
“And thanks for that opinion, too.” She turned and headed behind the reception desk.
“Hey, I’m sorry.” Rob crossed over. “I know you’re excited about the holidays this year. I am too. Should be fun to spend them with Evelyn and her family.”
Rob had married into a big family this year, but it left her feeling just a bit left out. She’d thought it would be just Rob and her this Christmas. Until he fell in love with Evelyn and married her. But her brother was happy, so that’s what mattered.
“You want me to put the lights on the tree?” he offered.
“I haven’t gone through all the boxes of decorations in the storeroom yet. I’ll put them up soon.”
“You need any help with anything else?”
“No, I’ve got everything covered.” Why did he always think she needed help? ...
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