Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 30
AUTUMN
Living in a pink Victorian house on Halloween is what spooky dreams are made of. Dolly, my sisters, and I go all out with the decorations every year. People drive from miles around to trick-or-treat our street, and for the party we host in the backyard.
With such a small population, it’s good to see kids and adults dressed for the holiday.
While my sisters add fake cobwebs to the gingerbread trim on the porch, Dolly is busy creating concoctions to serve from a cauldron and baking goodies for the celebration.
I’m not in my bedroom here at the house often these days, so infrequently that Winter has asked if she can have this room instead. That en suite bathroom is a hot commodity, especially with Spring coming home for winter break. I take a moment to look around. I’ve only been in this space for a few years, so it’s not the room that holds a lifetime of memories but the home.
My parents raising us here.
Dolly taking over when we no longer had them.
Bedroom shuffles.
Fights over how long someone was in the bathroom.
Pillow fights and stories told by flashlight under the covers.
I don’t feel sad, though. I feel whole. For the first time in my life, I know where I belong. Up on the mountain, with endless views and loving arms to fall into. Home.
Picking up my mom’s bottle of perfume, I spray the last of it on my wrist. Just enough to feel connected to her again. “Thanks, Mom,” I whisper, knowing she guided me right to my destiny.
I return to the bed and start the email I’ve wanted to send for a while. The timing was never wrong before, but it’s never been more right.
Dear Brandon,
Falling for the guy who broke my heart at sixteen and who also couldn’t remember me ten years later was a doozy of a comeback. For you. I’ll give you credit where it’s due. You made it happen, and I am forever grateful you did. Like you once said, it’s a win-win.
But second chances don’t come around very often, and I want to make the most of this one. I love you. I love you so much that it’s hard to leave for work when you’re still lying in bed. I want to crawl back in and slip under your arm, just to listen to the steady sound of your breathing. Please don’t take that the wrong way. It’s not creepy. Promise.
I love your smile, and when you laugh, I can’t help but join in.
You’re too good at the game of Memory, but I’ll still beat you at other card games every time. By the way, I’m cashing in my rain check. Saturday at eight, be ready to lose your shirt in some strip UNO.
Everyone adores you for good reason. You’re loyal, brave, humorous, and flirtatious; you say the sweetest things and then turn around and have me pinned to the bathroom tile and begging for more. Oh goodness, don’t show this to anyone, okay?
I’m back. I had to open the window to let some cold air in.
I never believed in karma because it didn’t serve me well, but boy did we show the universe. Brandon Culver and I. No one would have guessed. Not even us. But now that we’re the real deal in a forever kind of way, I was wondering if I could ask one favor.
Meet me under the bleachers at six p.m.
I’ll be waiting.
Yours Truly,
Autumn
Am I taking a chance? Not really. He’ll be there, but I feel it’s important to make new memories.
“Fall?” Summer calls from the bottom of the stairs.
I push send and hop off the bed. My stuff still fills the room, but it won’t for long. It’s time to move on. “Coming.” I adjust my kitty ears in the mirror and hurry downstairs to help finish decorating.
Stepping back to admire her cupcake arrangement on the treats and sweets table, Spring asks, “Are you going to ask him to marry you?”
“I keep forgetting that it’s you in that red wig.” The fitted ’50s dress and hair pinned curls are outstanding, but red hair is kind of my territory.
“Brolin’s favorite show is Mad Men, so I wanted to be in theme for him for our date tonight.”
“You look incredible. If he doesn’t like that outfit, you’ll have no problem finding someone who does.”
“Thanks, sis.”
When I look around, I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished in a few hours. Summer and Daniel have taken Roman to trick-or-treat downtown at the shops since Winter had to be at the store anyway. Dolly’s on her third calzone in the shape of snakes, and Brenda Culver showed up with not one, but two lasagnas for the party. She also slipped me the recipe, which is like winning the lottery. I can’t wait to make it for Brandon. Food is his love language.