Finally, when Eliza lifted her tear-streaked face, she noticed a soft, wistfulness in Cassie’s features.
“What are you thinking?” Sniffling, Eliza wiped her damp cheeks with the back of her hand.
Cassie tilted her chin toward a planter box filled with sunny daffodils. “Beautiful, aren’t they?”
“Sure, I guess.” Eliza stared at her friend in bewilderment. Why were they talking about flowers?
“Did you know they’re symbolic of rebirth and new beginnings?” Cassie continued, a small smile lighting her eyes. “Every spring, they get another chance. It’s the same bulb; it can’t change where it’s been planted. And yet, it’s technically a brand-new bloom. Pretty neat, huh?”
As Cassie’s words took root, Eliza’s lips twitched. “Are you sure you didn’t grow up in Poppy Creek? Because you sure know how to speak the language.”
Cassie grinned before her features softened, her gaze earnest. “No matter what happens, we’re all here for you. You know that, right?”
Her heart full, Eliza nodded.
While she had no idea how things would turn out, she was certain of one thing.
The truth was long overdue.
Chapter 22
Oh, no!What was he doing here?
Tossing her journal aside, Eliza leapt from the window seat, sweeping back the floral curtains for a better look.
She wasn’t ready to see Grant. After spending hours scribbling down all her thoughts, Eliza still hadn’t figured out how to tell him the truth.
Yet, there he was… strolling up their walkway as casual as could be. Meanwhile, her heart felt like egg whites being whipped for meringue.
Eliza raced down the staircase and rushed to the front door, flinging it open before Grant had a chance to knock.
“Hi.” He stepped back in surprise as Eliza yanked the door shut behind her.
“What are you doing here?” She grabbed his forearm and dragged him down the steps and away from the house.
“I thought I’d volunteer to go with you and Ben to the eye doctor. You know, since I have experience being vision impaired.” Grant flashed her a grin, but it quickly disappeared. “What’s the matter?”
“You can’t come with us.” Eliza paced the driveway, the accusatory crunch of the gravel heightening her agitation.
“Why not?”
“Because.” Wringing her hands, she drew in a shaky breath, trying to gather courage from who knew where.
“What’s going on? You’re acting… strange. Is Ben all right?”
“Ben is…”
Crunch, crunch, crunch…
Why was the gravel so infernally loud?
“Ben is…” Eliza repeated then paused, the air around them suddenly still and silent.
Toosilent.
Not even a hush of wind through the trees.
“Lizzy?” Grant prompted, his voice strained with worry.
