“I won’t use guilt to make her stay. This isn’t about forcing her to choose.”
“No one said anything about guilt or choosing,” Ostor said. “This is about honesty. She deserves to know how you feel before she makes her decision.”
“I don’t want her sacrificing her career for me. That’s not love. That would be me being selfish.”
“Staying may not be a sacrifice at all.” Dungar said.
Could Carla want this small town, this community, this life with me more than the prestigious position she’d worked toward for years? It seemed impossible. Yet the way she’d looked at me this morning, the hesitation in her voice when she’d mentioned the job offer…
“I need to finish the preparations for tonight.” I changed the subject, unwilling to hold onto false hope. “The sleighs still need their final decorations.”
Dungar and Ostor exchanged a meaningful glance.
“I’ll meet you at the sheriff’s office around eight tonight,” Dungar said. “We can set up for tomorrow. I’ll bring extra lights and those pastries she likes from the bakery.”
“And I’ll make sure Rosey has the food ready by seven tomorrow morning,” Ostor added. “She’s been perfecting a special lizardloin zeckadon all week.”
My cousins’ support felt amazing. This was what community and family meant. People who showed up, who helped carry the weight of hope and fear alike.
Did Carla understand what she’d be leaving if she chose California?
“Thank you,” I said. “Both of you.”
After they left, I finished the last of the decorations, my thoughts circling back to Carla and the decision she faced. The snow globe in its bag sat on a table, full of memory and meaning and unspoken hope.
The function hall door creaked open, and I turned, expecting Tark or one of my other cousins. Instead, Carla’s voice drifted in, though she remained outside the entrance.
“It’s not that simple.” She sounded frustrated. “Yes, Wildwind is amazing. Yes, it’s everything we talked about over too many bottles of wine.”
I froze, not wanting to eavesdrop but unable to announce I was here, listening. Not without embarrassing us both.
“The contract would be for one year with the option to renew.” She paused. “You know what one year would mean for my resume. The money’s excellent. The benefits are too.”
My heart sank. She was discussing details, working through logistics. This wasn’t someone uncertain about taking a position. She was planning her next steps.
“It’s complicated. There are other factors now.” Her sigh drifted through the open door. “No, not just the community, though they’ve been wonderful. There’s someone.”
My heart flipped over.
“I know it’s fast. Trust me, no one is more surprised about it than I am. He’s nothing like I expected. Nothing like anyone I’ve dated before.”
Pride and possessiveness surged through me.
“Sarah, I can’t explain it. It just feels right, like I’ve found where I’m supposed to be.”
Hope bloomed in my chest, dangerous and fragile.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right. It is sudden. Maybe… You’re right. I need to think this through. I just don’t know what to do.”
My balloon of hope popped, fizzling across the room.
“I have to go. I need to help with the final preparations for tonight’s ride.” Her voice moved further from the door. “I’ll call you when this is over.”
Holly called out to Carla, and she stepped outside, her footsteps fading. I stood frozen, staring at the bag, my mindreplaying her words. She’d talked about me. About us. About feeling like she’d found where she belonged.
But then she’d acknowledged this was fast. Maybe even too sudden. She’d also discussed the contract terms. The money. The benefits. The opportunity she’d worked her entire career to secure.
I wanted her to succeed, to achieve everything she’d worked for. The thought of her sacrificing her dreams for me and this town made my stomach twist with guilt.
