ELIZA
He’s leaving in just over a month, I have a life to set back on track, but I’m playing house with a stranger. What’s wrong with me?
When his sister walked in, so beautiful and graceful, the difference between us couldn’t have been more obvious. I wasn’t expecting to be introduced as a girlfriend, but he seemed ashamed. Ashamed to be associated with me. An orphaned girl working at a fish shop, hiding in the woods. My face never burned so hot from humiliation.
The problem is I never craved somebody’s presence with an intensity that scares me. I’m afraid it will consume me and leave me a husk of a person after he leaves.
Finn has to wrap it up faster. I don’t care if I sleep on a mattress on the floor. I need to move out before I get too attached to Carter.
“Oh, you brought Quinn’s rhubarb tart,” Martha says when she lets me in. I feel bad for showing up at her door unannounced, but she must sense I’m off because she doesn’t pry when I ask her if I can stay the night.
Martha and Sam Dunton are the parents I wish I had and it’s easy telling them about my plan.
“Design courses.” Martha stops mid-chew. “That’s great. Oh, dear. How exciting!”
“These are online, I thought…” I hesitate, but they both look at me with such pride and excitement, I feed off their encouragement. “I should learn more about it. If I want to make a living out of it.”
Sam’s grin is infectious. “I might come out of retirement for you. Nobody knows how to work wood like I do.” His trust in me is a shot of adrenaline, boosting my spirit.
“Let’s see.” I temper my enthusiasm. “It’d be good to go to some showroom events in Boston and Portland. Maybe New York. Might learn more about materials and trends. I don’t know.”
“Hey, don’t back out now,” Martha says with a resolute set of her brows. “You have a good eye for it and already learned a lot on your own.”
She takes Sam’s hand and they share a glance, having the sort of conversation married people carry out wordlessly.
“We’ll be your first clients. The kitchen is older than our marriage.”
I’m speechless and my lower lip wobbles.
“And I heard Mrs. Benson wants to do something about the lake cabin she inherited from her aunt. Spruce it up and rent it,” Sam continues, and the dam breaks.
I jump from the chair into their arms and hug them tight. I don’t know yet if I can rise up to their hopes, but their faith in me strengthens the decision to follow my passion.
Fat drops of water pelt the window of the Duntons’ guest bedroom. I trace them and let my mind drift. I can’t sleep when the air is so heavy with dark clouds andloud thunder.
The electricity traveling along the wet molecules in the air settles on my skin, making me fidgety. Thoughts of Carter circle my mind. I can’t afford to be reckless with my life and my heart, but I want to enjoy the four weeks we have left.
The ticking clock pushes us closer to the end with each red mark on that annoying calendar. I’ll have to be able to be on my own and not let him leave with what little is left of me.
@Jackie_Rawlings started following you.
The notification is soon followed by a series of pings. Carter’s sister is a stream-of-one-liners type of texter.
I’m sorry we didn’t get to chat more the other day.
Love your style.
Carter showed me your sketches.
I need you in my cold corporate life.
I have a mood board.
Your pieces are adorable and amazing. Adorazing? Amarable?
Anyway.
My office desperately needs your touch.
