“I don’t understand?”
“What if we were just supposed to part ways?Maybe we weren’t supposed to be married, or to date any longer than we did.I’m not sure I want to revisit an old path, open up old wounds.For what?To find out that they will end the same way anyway?”
Brooke sighed.“If I had thought that way, then Tristan and I would never have gotten together.”
“The pair of you were different.There probably always was something between you that you couldn’t see.There’d be nothing between us now, not after I hurt him the way I did.”
“Perhaps, but you’ll never know unless you contact him.”
My fingers ran around the rim of my mug as I sat there thinking about what she’d just said.
“I already know, Brooke.”
“How?”
“I looked him up on Facebook.I found him there.I sent a message, and he hasn’t even read it.”
“When did you send it?”
Again, I ran my fingers around the rim of my mug.“Last night.”
“Give him a chance.He might just be as shocked as you are.I mean, given the circumstances.”
“It was a stupid idea to reach out,” I said, trying to make a heavy situation lighter.“It’s not a wonder he didn’t return home.I probably ripped his heart out.”
“Mindi, you didn’t hurt him intentionally.You didn’t know he sent that card.It’s not like you rejected his proposal.”
“That is true.I just think it was dumb to message him.I mean, what am I supposed to say?Sorry for hurting you by never responding to your proposal?”
“While that is not how you should start things, it actually might be a good idea to at least let him know why you are contacting him, by telling him you received the card ten years too late.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Can I ask you what it is you’re afraid of?”
I studied her and then finally let out the breath I was holding.“Finding out that his life didn’t turn out like mine.”
Brooke frowned at me.“What is that supposed to mean?Your life turned out fine.You own a successful tree farm, you’re part of a wonderful community that cherishes you.You have many friends who love you.”
“That is true, but there is one thing I don’t have, and that is someone to go home to every night.”
Brooke smiled.“I didn’t have that either for years, might I remind you?I think you should take a chance and try to find him.There is only one way to know how things turned out for him, and contacting him would be it.The worst thing that could happen is finding out he’s in a committed relationship.At least you will know, and it will put an end to your suffering.”
As if on cue, the doors opened, and the little bell above the door jingled.Brooke looked over toward the door and then back at me.
“I have to go.Enjoy your coffee and croissant and, for goodness’ sakes, take a chance.It is a magical season, after all.Who knows, perhaps come the new year we will not only have a home for Sarah, but we might just have a wedding to plan.”
“Ha, that’s hilarious, and I’m not talking about the Sarah part.”I giggled.
“Never say never.”She winked.
“Well, whatever you do, please don’t hold your breath.”I giggled.“And I will enjoy because I need your sweets to get through the rest of this year.”I winked.
She gave me a quick hug and then took off over behind the counter and quickly looked after her customers while I sat there, drowning my sorrows in my cup of coffee and the rest of my buttery pastry.
Noah
I’d been in my new place a week and had gotten things mostly unpacked and situated, which meant I’d barely left the house.I had to change that, so I called up Clay to see if he was available for a coffee, since he and Iris were the only people I’d gotten acquainted with since moving back.He spoke to Iris and, a few moments later, agreed to meet me late this morning at The Crispy Biscuit.
