“I’m barely scraping by, Daddy,” I finally admitted to him. My mood soured the hope and promises of a better year as soon as I started talking.
“Then we should take a look at your finances, Mickie. If most of your money is going to that tiny studio apartment and basic essentials, you should consider moving. Preferably here with me.”
“Anything to get me here,” I scoffed. I wasn’t actually trying to poke Sam’s buttons, but we were already nearing the end ofmy paid time off. I was set to leave this weekend and having to do so hurt my entire soul.
“Watch your tone, little girl. If I didn’t have so much going on at the moment, I’d come back with you. Then I’d pack up your apartment myself and kidnap my sassy brat whether you agreed to it or not.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
He smacked either side of my ass hard enough to make me jump, not caring that there were dozens of people milling around. Sam wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. “I won’t kidnap you, little wildflower. But if you think this weekend isn’t going to be hard on me too, you’re wrong.”
“I’m so sorry, Daddy.”
“You’re forgiven, Mickie, but you don’t need to apologize. I know the past week or so has been heavy on topics and…”
“No,” I interrupted. “I don’t mean to cut you off. But the time I’ve spent with you has made me feel lighter than…than a snowflake. It was like I was trudging through muck for the past few years and your rule and guidance…” I took a breath. “Our dynamic I guess is what I mean. It changed my whole world so fast. At least since you chased me while I was running barefoot in the snow the night of Bonnie’s wedding.” I stumbled over my words, trying to explain everything in one swoop. “Can we go light our lanterns and eat sugary treats and get cocoa now?”
“Yes, we can.”
We collected our lanterns and headed to the creek. The lantern felt fragile in my hands — a delicate orb of pale rice paper stretched over thin bamboo ribs, tied together with soft hemp twine. Inside, a tiny beeswax candle waited, nestled carefully in a cradle made of birch bark, its faint scent mingling with the crisp winter air. I’d already written my hopes, dreams, and resolutions on a slip of paper, tucking inside mine.
Outside of Brighton Creek, people made resolutions on New Year’s Eve, but we did it during The Hearthside Festival, a tradition I’d upheld even being miles away.
Sam stepped close beside me, his breath a warm cloud in the cold as he pulled a long wooden match from the box. It was an old-fashioned one that crackled softly when you struck it. He held it steady between us, and together we cupped our hands around the flickering flame, careful not to let the fragile paper catch. The candle’s wick caught fire with a soft, golden glow, and for a moment, the world felt still. Like we were the only ones there even in a sea of people. Sam and I held a small, glowing promise cradled between us on the edge of the frozen creek.
“Give your dreams a sendoff, little wildflower.”
“Following my heart's wishes,” I whispered into the glowing lantern knowing Sam heard every word. I stepped back and we repeated the process.
Sam lit his lantern and crouched down, placing it near mine.
“Supporting Mickie’s heart’s wishes,” he whispered.
That was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. My emotions had been up and down since I came home, and tears pricked my eyes. “Aw, Sam.”
He straightened and took my hand. “I love you, babygirl. I’ve always loved you. And I’ll just keep saying it to you so that you know how much.”
“I love you. More than words…more than my wishes…more than everything.”
And in the quiet night as we watched our lanterns move through the mostly frozen creek, I believed in my heart that even when things were overwhelming that it would be better. Even self-induced stressors that I’d placed on myself would eventually fade. Tonight had quickly become the best festival of my life.
It would be the perfect memory.
Chapter Thirteen
Sam
Every thread that I cut from the stitches on Mickie’s arm and tugged out before she left felt like I’d been unraveling the connection between us. I kept playing that moment back in my head as if I could somehow figure out where I’d gone wrong. How I’d failed to convince my girl to stay. I knew that things weren’t always simple. She had a job, an apartment…but she wasn’t flourishing out in the city. Alone. Not when I knew she would if she were next to me where she belonged.
“Bring your coffee and come taste my cookies.”
Snapping my head up, I blinked at Maisie Plum who was tugging at my sleeve while I sat atCreekside Roast. “I’m flattered, honey, but I don’t want to taste your treats right now.”
“Oh my god! Are you being dirty, Sam?” Maisie giggled. “My bakery is opening soon. I need your mouth. Uh. Your tastebuds. Okay, actually, I need your arms more today. For lifting, not cuddling,” she clarified as her cheeks turned pink.
She wasn’t typically all over the place, flighty and flirty. Not with me, and not usually with our friends. I called her out on it. “Christ, Maisie. What’s gotten into you?”
“I’m a bit flustered,” she said, huffing and sitting down in the chair next to me. She leaned her head on my shoulder. “Not from you or anything you did, Sam.”
