Like my inkling about her former fiancé, Warren. I’d had a feeling he wasn’t the one for her. His aura had always seemed so…off, and so incompatible with hers. Warren’s aura had been dark and negative, whereas Sage’s aura was light and warm. But at the time, Sage hadn’t paid any attention to my inklings. She just thought I didn’t like him, and I didn’t.
“I am,” Sage said, her tone serious. “Don’t you have one?”
I paused, considering her question. I hadn’t really let myself feel anything about the situation, other than worry and fear. But something was tugging me in that direction: to Hartwood Creek. I felt like maybe I really could find my happiness there, like the medium had said.
It wasn’t just about Noah; he was scarcely a factor in this decision. It was something about the very town itself. I’d felt a shift in my energy the moment I set foot across the town border, and that sense of home had pulled at me even then.
Since returning to Guelph, I’d felt a restlessness I’d never experienced before. A deep settled unhappiness. Something in me had shifted, realigned, moving toward a new purpose, a discovered dream. A whisper in the wind, calling me north to Hartwood Creek.
“Yeah, I do. I think this is going to be the best thing for me. Even if things don’t work out with, well, the baby situation.”
“Don’t say that; it’ll work out,” Sage assured me. “Ooh, I can’t wait to throw you a baby shower!”
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.”
“Too late, I’m already on Pinterest!”
Four days, and one carload. That’s all it took for me to tie up loose ends and pack up my entire life in Guelph. Five days before Christmas I pulled up to the beautiful blue Victorian-style home in one of the older subdivisions in Hartwood Creek. With the freshly fallen snow, it looked like a Trisha Romance painting.
The detached garage with its pitched roof and intricately designed woodwork looked as pretty as the main house, with Christmas lights and garland wrapped up the staircase leading to the apartment door.
Sage was waiting at the top of the small deck, waving at me with the biggest grin on her face, her blond hair blowing in the wind. Nix and his brother, Parker, were already trudging toward me.
Parker and Nix had the same Hutchinson brown hair and brown eyes, like melted dark chocolate. They were both muscular with broad shoulders, although Parker was a little taller.
“Hey, Nell,” Nix said when I stepped out of the car. “It’s good to see you,” he gave me a brief but solid hug.
“It’s good to see you too,” I smiled. “Thanks for letting me take over your lease, and thanks for letting me move into your apartment, Parker.”
“It’s our pleasure. Saves us having to deal with the headache of finding someone new, and it was only a matter of time until Nix officially moved in with Sage and Daphne,” Parker grinned.
“We’ll move these boxes for you. We’re under strict instructions to not let you lift a thing,” Nix said.
My cheeks heated with embarrassment, and I wondered just how much of my situation Parker knew. I’d asked for Sage’s discretion; I didn’t want to tell anyone else until I was past the danger zone.
“Thanks, but I managed to pack everything in on my own.”
“Well, here you have help. Get used to it,” Nix cocked a brow at me and titled his chin in the direction of the garage apartment. “Go on up and get settled.”
“Yes, Sir,” I saluted him, then reached back into the car for my carry-on and my purse. I was exhausted from the long drive, but I’d had the foresight to pack everything I’d need quick access to. A pair of comfortable pajamas and my toiletries, an outfit for tomorrow, my phone charger, and the book I was reading were all tucked neatly in the carry on.
Someone had shoveled and salted the stairs in preparation. Already, I was being shown more care and consideration than the near decade I’d spent in Guelph. My stupid emotions were getting the better of me, and I wiped away tears before reaching the deck.
Sage immediately wrapped her arms around me in a hug, squeezing me tight. “I’m so glad you’re here!” she squealed.
“Me too,” I murmured into her shoulder, squeezing her back. I hadn’t let myself focus on how much I missed my bestie—my soul sister. “Where’s Daph?”
“She’s in the house with Tabitha and the girls. They wanted to make you a little welcome home surprise.” She released me, sending me a huge, welcoming grin.
“That’s so darn sweet,” I sniffled, the tears I’d been desperately trying to hold back spilling over. “I’m sorry, it’s just the hormones, I think. And I’m exhausted,” I added, catching Sage’s concerned expression.
Sage reached for my hand and squeezed it.
“Coming up!” Nix called from the bottom of the stairs. Realizing we were still on the deck, Sage tugged me into the apartment.
Immediately, the warmth of the place enveloped me. The smell of fresh paint lingered behind cleaning products, and everything looked fresh and white.
“Did you paint?” I asked, my jaw dropping as I took in the space—the appliances were new and shiny, and the furniture certainly wasn’t the old family room donations from Angela’s parents.
