“I didn’t just lose my grandmother, I lost my best friend. I know Mom and Martha suffered a loss as well, but they turned away from me, left me to grieve alone. That invitation from youto visit Gracemont felt like a lifeline, Edith. Because I’d been drowning in loneliness and pain.”
Edith reached out again, but this time, she didn’t just touch Ella’s hand; she gripped it in her own. “I’m so glad you came.”
Ella bit her lower lip so Edith wouldn’t see it trembling. “So am I.”
Edith held her hand a few moments longer, then gave it a squeeze before releasing it. “So, it sounds like you still have a bit more work to do before you honor all of Gigi’s requests.”
She frowned, because she’d dotted the last I, crossed the last T, and completely settled the estate. “No, it’s all done.”
“Ella.” Edith’s pointed stare told her exactly what she’d left undone.
“You think I should sell the house?” Ella asked, looking not so much for advice but for confirmation. She’d been seriously considering just that when she first arrived in Gracemont. Then Martha and Mom began reaching out, and she started second-guessing that decision.
Tonight, after that call from Martha, Ella wondered why she’d ever thought this was a hard decision to make.
“Don’t you?”
Ella nodded. “Where would I go?”
Edith chuckled. “Sweetheart, you know the answer to these questions already.”
Ella chewed on her thumbnail, aware Edith was right. “I’m not sure me moving to Gracemont would…” She closed her eyes, recalling Maverick’s kiss in the wine cellar. It had reawakened something in her that had never died, only lay asleep, ignored because remembering caused too much pain. It had been a beautiful kiss, so full of the love and promise and safety she’d always felt in Maverick’s arms.
But what if too much water had passed under that bridge?
If she did stay, and if they did try to reignite their relationship, she would have to come clean about that letter. And while she thought—hoped, prayed—Maverick would understand…
What if he didn’t?
“You’re thinking of Maverick,” Edith said.
“Yes,” Ella whispered.
“I’m going to tell you a love story. One I’m not sure you’ve heard. It would actually be a wonderful storyline for one of your romance novels.”
Ella frowned at Edith’s abrupt change of subject, then realized the older woman was most likely building to something. So, she picked up another cookie, took a big bite, and waved her hand in proceed fashion. “I’m a sucker for a good story.”
Edith laughed. “There’s a legend in this town surrounding one of the families.”
From the older woman’s smirk, Ella didn’t have to ask which family. “The Storms.”
Edith touched her nose to let Ella know she got it in one.
“What legend?”
“Rex Storm met Claire at the town’s Fourth of July picnic many, many years ago.”
Ella nodded. “Maverick told me that.”
“Did he mention that when they were introduced, Rex shook Claire’s hand…and in that very instant, he knew she was destined to be his?”
Ella shook her head. “You mean like love at first sight?”
“The Storms actually refer to it as love at first touch. His hand touched Claire’s, and he fell hard and fast and forever.”
“That’s a nice story,” Ella said. “I’m sure their kids love hearing it.” Obviously, her tone had made it clear she believed it was only a story, not something based in truth.
“Unlike you, they don’t think it’s a story. They think it’s a fact. Because the same has happened to several of them.”
