Chapter 23
Marianne, who was always eager to promote their happiness...left them to themselves. —Sense and Sensibility
Elinor
I stare at Edward’s text for a long time.
Edward
I’m visiting Norland Park this weekend. Any chance we could meet up for nachos?
It arrived late yesterday afternoon, more than a week after our last text exchange. I’m ashamed to admit that my immediate response upon seeing his message was sheer joy—Edward texted me! He’s coming to Norland Park!
Then I remembered all the reasons I’m angry at Mr. Frechette, followed by all the reasons we shouldn’t date.
I haven’t answered his text because I have no idea what to say.
Do I want to see him?
YES!
No!
Maybe?
All of the above.
The truth is, I want to see him, but I don’t think it’s a smart move.
Nothing’s changed since our last text exchange—except, presumably he’s broken up with his not-technically-a-girlfriend.
I’m burning with curiosity to know if he ended things with her.
The prospect of him being single makes my heart light, which is inconvenient, because I shouldn’t care.
For one thing, I’m still his tenant. For another, he’s still working to turn Norland Park into a luxury resort. And for a third—possibly most important—dating him is a terrible idea.
I haven’t mentioned his text to my mom or sister, because they will want me to give him another chance.
If I’m honest, there’s a big part of me that wants to, but my rational mind knows I should hold firm.
I’m tempted to just leave him on read, but I can’t bring myself to do that. I start drafting my reply.
Is your girlfriend coming with you? Does she like nachos?
Delete.
Why are you texting me now after more than a week of silence?
I hope you get into some poison oak!
Delete, delete.
I miss you!
I hate that I miss you!
I’d love to see you ???
Delete, delete, delete.
My saner self taps out:
How fun! I hope you have a great weekend. Unfortunately, I’m super busy. Maybe some other time ??
Sending this text kind of kills me. He’s going to hate it—I hate it. It’s insincere slop. But I need to keep my distance.
Three dots immediately appear, disappear, and then appear again. Apparently, Edward isn’t any better at the quick response than I am.
I understand. If things change, let me know. I really do need to talk to you ?
And now I’m back to staring at my phone again. I have no idea what to say. I am not made for texting—it stresses me out so much more than writing a letter or talking face to face, and I overthink every message. I finally thumbs up Edward’s message and leave it at that.
My phone rings. It’s my sister.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Pepper’s missing!” She sounds frantic.
“When did you last see her?”
“About ten minutes ago. Brandon and I were talking after class, and she just ran off. He went to the cottage. I’m going to the cove. Could you check the Tower?”
“Does Pepper know about the Tower?” I’m already racing out of my office.
“I showed it to her yesterday.”
“Why would you do that? It’s not safe.”
“I played up there when I was younger than Pepper. I was fine.” Pepper is probably fine too, but I need to make sure.
“Okay, I’m on my way!”
I drive a golf cart to the path leading to the treehouse. I scramble up the steep trail, which after yesterday’s rain is running with water. The dark green of the boughs contrasts against the rough red bark of the trees, and the small yellow violets peep like stars on the forest floor.
Standing under the platform, I call up, “Pepper!”
“Elinor! Help! I can’t climb down. The wood is slippery.”
“Stay put! I’m coming up!”
I’m so angry at Annie! What was she thinking, taking this little girl to the treehouse?
As I emerge through the trap door, Pepper throws her chilly arms around me.
“I’m so happy to see you!” she says. “I tried climbing down, but I slipped on the first step and was too scared after that.”
“I’m glad you stopped. I’ll help you down. I can go right below you. Do you think you can handle that?” She nods.
“Could you get my notebook?” She points to the far corner of the platform where her notebook is precariously perched on the railing.
“Happy to!” When I reach the railing, I see a tall figure hurrying through the woods below—Edward.
He sees me and waves. “Elinor!” He’s smiling so big, I forget all my anger. I call his name and wave—but this is not the time to get all sentimental. There’s a little girl we need to help down.
“Edward, I need your help! Pepper’s stuck in the tree and scared to climb down with the wet rungs.”
“I’ll be right up,” He jogs toward me, leaving my sight as he goes under the platform.
“Elinor!” This time it’s my sister calling me. I recognize her voice, but it takes me a while to see her in the misty woods.
“Is Pepper up there?” she calls.
“Yes, she’s fine. She’s scared to climb down the wet rungs by herself.”
“Oh good! Brandon will be so relieved.”
“You should never have shown her this place!” My nerves are frayed, and I’m ready to give my sister a piece of my mind. “What were you thinking, Annie?”
“I played up there all the time as a kid. And that was before dad put the railing on it.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s safe—you should be more cautious!”
She walks toward the tree and then disappears into the undergrowth. I lean over the railing more. “Come back here! I’m not finished.” But she’s gone.
“I don’t think she’s listening,” Edward says from behind me.
I spin around. “I didn’t realize you were already up here. Where’s Pepper?” I look behind him just in time to see the trap door slam shut. “You shouldn’t have let her go first—she’ll need help getting down!” I kneel on the damp wood and frantically pull the handle. It won’t budge.
“She’s fine. Brandon’s with her. He climbed up right behind me.”
“That’s a relief, but—” I yank on the handle again. The door is good and stuck. “I don’t get it. Why won’t it open?
“Well . . . Pepper gave me this.” Edward hands me a piece of paper folded in half. I unfold it. There’s a message made with letters cut from a magazine and glued like a ransom note.
I will unlock the trap door once we get photo evidence of a kiss.
XOXO Lady Whimple
“This is completely unhinged,” I say rereading the ransom note. I cannot believe this. Except—I can. My eyes snap up to Edward.
“Were you in on this?”
“How could I be?” he says in genuine surprise. “You’re the one who wrote me to meet you here.”
“What?”
“The note you put in our mailbox.” He holds up an envelope with his name on it in all caps. It’s my stationery, but definitely not my handwriting. “After that text, I was so happy you wrote to me.” He hands it to me.
Edward,
We have lots to talk over. Meet me at the tree at 11 today.
Elinor
“I didn’t write this. It must have been Annie.”
“Yeah, I see that now,” he gives me a sad smile. “I should have noticed right away that it wasn’t your handwriting. But you know why the best cons work? They offer you something you want desperately.”
That’s . . . actually a really sweet thing to say.
But I’m too busy pulling on the handle of the trap door with all my might to think too much about it. The door won’t open. I don’t even know how Annie could have locked it. I can’t believe my sister would go to these lengths.
I phone her.
“Annie! You’re insane! Let us out.”
“Did you find my note?”
“We did.”
“Then you know what to do.” She giggles.
“It’s beginning to rain!” I whine.
“Then hurry up and kiss him. You can thank me later.”
“This is ridiculous. Just let us down.”
“You know you want to kiss him.” She says so loudly. Edward’s lips twitch up like he’s trying not to laugh.
“Annie . . . please!” My sister ends the call. I give the trap door one more yank.
Edward leans against the railing, his arms folded across his chest. while his gray eyes study me. “Should I be insulted by how much you don’t want to kiss me?”
The mist holds just enough light to feel magical.
It’s ridiculously romantic, with everything smelling of wet wood and pine.
My sister must be feeling so smug. But what she doesn’t understand is that this kiss—this kiss that she’s hoping will sway Edward—will destroy me.
It will give me a taste of what I can’t have.
My mom and sister call me unromantic, but that isn’t true.
I am simply careful with my heart. Because I know just how easily I could lose it.
“It’s the principle of the matter,” I say. “Plus, I’m not happy with you right now.”
“That’s fair. But would it really be so bad to kiss me?” He offers his hand and pulls me to my feet.
“What would your girlfriend think of you saying that?” I try to sound cool and collected, even though my heart is racing.
“There’s no girlfriend. There never really was. Caroline and I had lunch the other day for the first time in weeks. We both agree that we’d be happier with other people. I’m pretty sure she’s already dating someone else. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Oh,” is all I can manage. Edward is single. And we are standing toe to toe, just inches apart.
“Out of curiosity, who told you I had a girlfriend?”
“Lucinda.”
“Of course she did.” He rakes his fingers through his hair which is just beginning to curl in the rain, as if he just stepped out of the shower.
“And it’s my fault. I told her that I had a girlfriend to get her off my back,” he shrugs his shoulders sheepishly.
“But Caroline was hardly my girlfriend.”
“Care to explain?”