I nodded. “I know that, but are you really here? Do you live in a house or somewhere like heaven?”
Margaret closed the distance between us and touched my cheek. “I’m here, there, and everywhere. I’m always where I’m needed, even if you can see me or not. I wish I could tell you everything, but there are things that can’t be explained.” She patted my cheek. “This is goodbye, Lydia. I wish you all the best.”
The magic surrounding her grew stronger but there was still one more question I needed to ask. If she was a Christmas angel and sent here to help others find love, I had to believe she had it as well.
Margaret stepped back, but I grabbed her arm.
“That day when we went to Sarah’s Café together, you said you were married once. Was that really true?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
I replayed that conversation in my mind.
“You also said you see him in your dreams. Is that true?”
Her eyes glistened. “Yes, and I look forward to every minute I get with him. He knows how much I enjoy helping people find love. But one day, I’ll be with him for eternity. Until then, we have our dreams.”
“Thank you, Margaret.” I touched the mistletoe on my sweater. “Thank you for everything.”
Without another word, I watched her smile and disappear right before my eyes. There was no time to waste . . . I had to find Jake.
25
LYDIA
The second I hopped in my car, I went straight to Jake’s new house. There was so much adrenaline and excitement coursing through me I could barely think straight. All I wanted to do was jump in his arm and tell him how much I loved him.
I pulled into the driveway and jumped out of my car, leaving the door wide open. My excitement deflated when I noticed there were no lights on in the house. I knocked on the door and rang the doorbell. No answer.
Hurrying back to my car, I reached for my phone in the center console and dialed Jake’s number. The line rang and rang, then went to voicemail. I called again and again, but every time it connected to voicemail.
I hopped in my car and called Hailey.
“Hey, girl, what’s up? You still at the festival?”
“No. I’m looking for Jake. Is he there?”
She squealed. “You’re looking for Jake? Does that mean you choose him?”
My impatience grew. “Of course. That’s why I’m dying to find him and tell him.”
“He’s probably at his house. That’s where he was about thirty minutes ago when I talked to him.”
“Did he say he was leaving to go anywhere?” I asked quickly.
“No,” she answered. “But you know, he could have gone to your house. Why don’t you go home and see if he’s there?”
That was a good idea.
“Thanks, Hailey.”
I hung up and sped out of his driveway onto the road that led to my house. Luckily, I lived only a few minutes away. When I pulled down my driveway, I thought for sure I’d see Jake’s silver sports car . . . but it wasn’t there in front of my cabin.
Disappointment overwhelmed me, but I went inside and sat on the couch, hoping he’d show up eventually. I called him again and there was still no answer and he didn’t reply to any of my texts. Was I too late? I should’ve told him that I loved him when I had the chance.
For about an hour, I paced the living room floor and stared at my phone. Another hour passed and nothing. It was closing in on eleven o’clock. I wasn’t going to be able to rest until I talked to him.
Grabbing my keys off the counter, I bolted out the door and jumped in my Honda. I drove by Jake’s house again, and it was still dark inside. Where could he be? I highly doubted he was visiting his parents and if he’d shown up at Hailey’s house, she would’ve called me.
