“I know. But I also told Red we weren’t goin’ to stand back and let these two stuff it up again. It would all be so simple if people justcommunicated. Don’t ya think?”
Aster’s lips twitch. “Ironically, some of the most popular romance stories ever told involve the miscommunication trope…”
“This ain’t miscommunication. This isnotcommunicatin’. There’s a difference,” Ma states emphatically.
“Hellooo. Hi. I’m still here,” I say with a wave, earning a snort from Cora. “Y’all are talkin' about us like we're characters in a book, not real people with real lives and real emotions."
Aster nods in agreement. "You're right, Charlie. I know that sometimes it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that ourrelationships should follow the neat, tidy arcs of a well-written plot. But life, and love, are messy."
"Especially second-chance romances with your soulmate," I mutter."
Aster snickers. “Especiallythen.” She looks over at Ma. “But everyone’s story is different. Everyjourneyis different. They all have their own twists and turns, and it's up to us to navigate them as best we can."
“Doesn’t mean I can’t help guide the way when I see them headin’ for a roadblock,” Mom replies.
"That’s why Char is here with us now, right?” Cora asks with a creased brow. “Do you know what the problem is?”
“He’s overthinkin’ it and tryin’ too hard to impress me when he should know that I fell for the man the moment I walked into a senior class with kids two years older than me and he offered the seat beside him.”
“Aww,” Cora says with a soft smile. “I can totally see little Austin doin’ that too. He’s always lookin’ out for everyone.”
"Not sure Austin has ever been described as little, but you're right. He is," I reply. "I've told him I'm back for good, more than once. I was hopin’ that by seein’ me and helpin’ me redecorate the apartment, he’d know I meant it.”
“Austin’s a thinker. He’s also a giver. Everything is about taking care of everyone important to him,” Aster says.
“He is and I adore that about him, but when it comes to the two of us and what Ihopewe’re buildin’, he’s overthinkin’ it. He's tryin’ to wow me with trips away and fancy dinners in expensive restaurants and givin’ up all his spare time to come into townand spend it with me. I appreciate it, don’t get me wrong, but I’m a giver too. I want to go out to the ranch and help y’all out there too. He doesn’t need to be workin’ himself to the bone and not let me meet him halfway.” I sigh. “I wanthimto see just how much I want this too.”
Ma nods. “Keep goin’, Charlie Bear. Get it all out.”OK then…
“And we had a room all to ourselves and the man just kissed me and went to sleep. I would’ve been keen for a bit of makin’ out, or more.” I glance Ma’s way. “Sorry, Ma. Anyway, he went to sleep and then he kept me up bysleeptalkin’ some nonsense about calling a mountain or somethin'." I take a much-needed breath.
I must've said something important amongst all the rambling because Cora, Mom, and Aster all exchange knowing looks.
“What am I missin’?” I ask the table at large.
“You need to speak to Austin,” Cora and Ma say at the same time.
“What? Why?” I say, switching my gaze between the two women.
Aster reaches over the table and places her hand on mine. “Cora tells me you’ve read some of my books.” I nod. “OK. What do they all have in common?”
“Soulmates. A love that you justknowis real. One you can trust beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
“Yes. I think I knew my husband Gray was my soulmate the moment he rescued me from my wrecked car in a snowstorm.” Her eyes lock with mine and I sense she’s trying to convey something important. She turns her head. “Cora?”
“I knew Rhett was my One when he just wouldnotstop tryin’. It just feltrightwhenever we were together. Like it was always meant to be, you know?” Cora explains.
The two women look to my mom as if they’re waitin’ for her to tell a story of her own but she’s already shaking her head. “Don’t look at me like that. You know my history. Three times I’ve tried and three times I’ve failed. I think the whole idea of soulmates is amazin’, but it’s just not on the cards for me. I’ve accepted that. I’ve got my girl here, I’ve got a thrivin’ business. And I’ve got good men in my life that I can rely on. If that’s my lot, then I’m OK with it. What I’mnotOK with is Charlie Bear bein’ kept out of the loop.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Talk to Austin,” all three of them reply in unison.
“About what?” I’m a little exasperated now. They keep talking in riddles.
“Think about what I said to you, Charlie. About how I met Gray. About how Cora fell in love with Rhett.”
Cora’s eyes brighten all of a sudden before she looks to Aster. “Have you got a copy of your new book on you?”
