Nan leaned against her chair. “She never talks about it. The crash, her scars, any of it. I didn’t handle it right at first, too much in my own grief. And by the time I was in a space I could try to help her, she had walled off that part of her. I’ve tried to discuss it with her for years, but she wouldn’t even talk with me.” Nan turned and looked at me. “That’s when I knew you were important to her. She told you when she didn’t have to. She has even started opening up to other people since too. I’ve seen so much change in her.”
“She didn’t tell me much,” I whispered. Marissa was such a walking contradiction of strength and softness. Laughter and pain. I wanted to take part of her burden. I wanted to be with her.
The only life I wanted was one with her in it. Marissa, with her long dark hair and dusting of freckles. The things in life I was pushing for, the fancy car, big job, penthouse, were all empty now when I pictured them. They didn’t glow the way thoughts of a life with Marissa did.
This was what I wanted.
This was my new plan. The thought startled me, but I didn’t let it scare me away. I knew this was right.
My center had become Marissa. A magnet, a new life plan. With more life and love than I could imagine.
Her quirks, her laugh, her curves, her lips, I wanted it all. I turned to Nan. “I better get home.” I pointed to Marissa. “Should I leave her there?”
“Yes, she is fine there. And Scott,” Nan’s eyes held mine. “Do not break her trust. It’s rarely given.”
I felt my breath catch. I needed to come clean. In fact, I wasgoing to talk to Carol today. I knew she guessed, but I needed to tell her about how I was working with the Raymond & Johnson Law and hoping to get a job. I didn’t need her to sell anymore because I no longer needed to leave, but I also wanted no more secrets. I would let the firm know I wasn’t interested in their deal.
When I got to the B&B, it was five-thirty in the morning. No use in going to bed now. I decided to make Carol some breakfast. Everything was better with food.
The only thing I knew how to make was scrambled eggs and toast, or cereal. I was certain cereal wouldn’t set the tone for the conversation we needed to have. I rummaged throughout the cupboards and found an old toaster and grabbed some eggs from the fridge. I left the toast to do its thing as I grabbed the milk and stirred the eggs. I added it to the hot pan, mixing frequently.
The smell of smoke permeated the air.What the?I turned and saw a small fire coming out of the toaster and dark gray smoke clouding the room.
Crap!
I grabbed a nearby kitchen towel and smothered the fire and went to open all the windows. The smoke was making me cough, and then the smoke alarm started blaring.
“Did someone set fire to my kitchen?” Carol rushed in, hollering in panic. She spotted me in an apron, standing on the stool and fanning the smoke alarm.
“I may have burnt the toast.” I shrunk. “Sorry . . .”
She rushed over and removed the now burnt eggs from the stove. “Oh honey, I think you about burnt down the house.” Carol waved her hand in front of her, clearing smoke. She gestured at me to get off the stool and motioned to the table. The beeping stopped. “How about we start with coffee?”
“Coffee sounds great.” I grabbed some cups and sat in the chair. The previous evening’s emotion caught up to me and I was exhausted. Carol sat across from me and stared me down. “I need to tell you something.”
“Ready to come clean, eh? It took you long enough.” She placed her arms on the table and blew on her coffee.
I spluttered and wiped the coffee from my chin. “How did you know?”
Carol rolled her eyes. “You may be a talented lawyer, but I would not suggest going into acting.”
I rubbed my tired eyes. “You should be a private investigator or something.” I thought I could read people, but I had nothing on Carol.
“Alright, how about we start at the top, where you used Marissa to convince me to let you stay, so you could trick me into selling to that nasty firm?”
I went through it all, sparing no detail. The contract, why I took it, the life I thought I had wanted, and falling for Marissa and a change of plans.
Carol nodded through it all, as if it was all old news. “Are you still wanting a job with the that big city firm? Do you think it’s a good idea and you can protect the town?”
I turned the cup in my hand. “Yes and no.” I shook my head back and forth. “It was all I wanted before I met Marissa. Part of me still wants that prestigious career. Selling would also give you the life you deserve, one with far less work.” I took a sip of coffee. “It would bring jobs to the town that could help, but there are also risks that this place would never be the same when the client takes it over, and that would be unfortunate.” I looked around the kitchen. I loved these bright, chipped cabinets and mismatched glass dishes. Not only that, I loved this town.
“I don’t know what Marissa wants, and every time I bring up a long-term future together, she changes the subject.” I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. “I know there is something she’s not telling me, but it isn’t fair for me to ask for her secrets when I've got some of my own.” I ran my hand through my hair. “I need to come clean about everything, but now I'm worried if I tell her Iused our friendship to get a place here, she won’t even let me explain before she rushes off to London.”
Carol nodded and took a long sip of her cup and looked me in the eye, waiting for something. “Well, I’m sure something will work out, whether with the firm or someone local.” She set down her cup. “I trust you. You’re one of us now.” She rose from the table and set her cup in the sink. “I’m heading back to bed. Please don’t make me breakfast ever again.” She smirked and walked off.
I sat there spinning my cup. I had the choice. I could help Carol sell this place and get the job I had always wanted or live a life different from my original expectations. What was best for the town? Would the boys still have a place to practice? Could the town still have a trunk-or-treat here?
I also needed to figure out if Marissa was interested in a life with me. I checked my phone. My mom had texted several times last night asking if I was coming home for Thanksgiving in a week, and if I had a plus one.
