“Well, it’s getting kind of strange with you being in my dreams again.”
She shook her head, her brown eyes twinkling mischievously. “Who says you’re in a dream?”
“Because I know we are,” I said matter-of-factly. “I remember falling asleep. Besides, I only wore this sweater once, and that was last Christmas Eve.”
“What all happened last year?” Margaret asked.
I shrugged. “Not much. All I did was walk around downtown and go to Hailey’s family Christmas party like I do every year.”
Margaret chuckled lightly. “So, do you think you might’ve missed an opportunity last year? I mean, you met Max in your dream last night.”
“Whoa,” I exclaimed, holding a hand up. “All of this is so freaking strange. How is it even possible that you’re in my dreams again?”
Margaret smirked. “Maybe because it’s magic. Everything will make sense soon. All you have to do is keep your eyes open like I told you in last night’s dream. You met Max, and now it’stime to meet someone else, someone who also has the potential to be more to you.”
The absurdity of the whole situation made me burst out laughing.
“You know, these dreams are pretty crazy. Am I going to have another tomorrow night where I meet a third guy?” I quipped.
Margaret shook her head. “Sorry, dear. This is the last dream I can give you. After this one, you’ll return to dreaming about having superpowers and flying.” She tried to hide her smile and failed. “Oh, and zombies.”
My breath hitched and I stared at her. “How did you know I dream about zombies?”
She winked. “I told you . . . magic. And let’s hope that if we do have a zombie apocalypse, you have more than a fork to defend yourself.”
My mind was blown. Only Hailey knew about my zombie dreams and that I never had any weapons besides a large fork. She always got a good laugh when I told her about them.
“You know,” I said, laughing. “I didn’t realize I had an imagination this crazy. Of course, you know everything about me. I keep wondering how you’re here, but it’s just my mind concocting all of this up.”
Margaret chuckled. “I can’t wait for you to wake up and realize all this is real. I know everything about you, Lydia. You’re a good person and you deserve to find your happiness. That’s why I’m giving you the chance. It’s up to you to figure out which path you want to take. One led you to Max and the other . . .” She shrugged and stood, nodding toward the walkway that led you through a nature trail in the park. “Who knows. You have to find him. Why don’t you take a walk? You said all you did last Christmas Eve was walk around downtown and go to Hailey’s party. Maybe on your walk, you ignored what was around you.”She grinned and winked. “I’m going to say this for the last time . . . keep your eyes open.”
“Two paths, huh?” I said, peering up at the sky and taking a deep breath. When I lowered my head to look at her again, Margaret was gone.
Shaking my head, I took a sip of my coffee and stood. “All right, Margaret. I’m going for a walk.”
In reality, I didn’t take the nature trail last year, but it was still early in the morning. Not many people were out and about on Main Street, but that was probably because it was Christmas Eve, and everyone was getting prepped for those big holiday get-togethers. Last year, Hailey wanted me to make Christmas crack for her family party, and I had to make two batches because I ate so much of it. There was going to be nothing to bring if I didn’t make two. It was easy to make, just Graham crackers, homemade caramel, and white chocolate.
The trail through the park wasn’t long, and I highly doubted there would be a good-looking man around my age wandering around on his own. The thought made me laugh.
“Keep your eyes open, Lydia,” I said, repeating Margaret’s words.
I continued to walk on the path and was all alone. I finished my coffee and was about to turn around and head back the way I came when something blue caught my attention in the woods. As I got closer, I could see a man wearing a blue coat and crouching down close to the creek bank with a camera help up to his face. Was he the other guy Margaret was talking about?
I leaned against a tree and listened to his camera click every time he took a photograph. I was curious to see what he saw through the lenses, but what I really wanted was to see his face. He had tousled, sandy blond hair and an athletic build. From what I could tell, he had to be in his early thirties.
“Getting anything good?” I called out. My voice startled him, and he lost his balance, falling right into the mud and leaves. I slapped a hand over my mouth and gasped. “Oh my God, are you okay?” Luckily, he held his camera up and didn’t let it fall. I rushed through the trees and tried not to slip on the wet leaves on my way down to him. “Please, please, please forgive me.”
The guy stood, and I got a good look at his face. He had warm caramel-colored eyes that exuded friendliness and curiosity, and a genuine and sweet smile.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” he said, hanging his camera around his neck. “A little mud doesn’t hurt. Besides, I got some great photos.” He wiped his hand on his jeans and held it out to me. “I’m Ben Davis.”
“Lydia Scott,” I replied, shaking his hand. I nodded down at his camera. “Do you take photos for a living, or is it a hobby?” I was always looking for photographers to showcase their work in the gallery.
His laugh was easygoing and charming. “Well, I’m hoping to make a career of it. I just have to find my big break.” It all started to make sense. I wondered if he was the guy I was supposed to look for.
“I don’t know about a big break,” I began, “but it just so happens I have a gallery that has plenty of room for amazing photographs. I’d love to see what you do.”
His eyes widened with unbridled hope. “Seriously? This is amazing.”
