30. Ember #2
She nods like she’s fixed everything between us.
Relief washes over her, and I realize she thinks we’re okay.
That everything will be fixed as soon as he comes around, but I’m hurt.
I’m mad. The trust that we had is shaky at best and all but gone at its worst. I clear my throat, feeling the emotion come up before I can even get the words out.
“I feel like I should tell you that I am fighting the preposterous decision by Code Enforcement, but I’m just doing it for the next owner.
In all probability, I’ll be selling the manor. ”
All the life washes from her face. For the first time since I’ve known her, she’s speechless. She blinks as if she can’t even comprehend what I’ve just said.
Because she isn’t saying anything, I feel forced to speak for the both of us.
“I’ve just come to the conclusion that I can’t count on income from the manor if I’m being blocked whenever I try to do something.
It makes the investment risky and unstable.
I love the house. I love what it means to me and to others.
I even love Harvest Falls, but for once, I’m going to do things the smart way and cut my losses before I really sink myself in too deep.
As it stands, I already owe fines I can’t pay back, and to think I could be charged with more is just more than I can bear. ”
Her mouth moves but no sound comes out. Her eyes flick all over the place as if a hundred different thoughts are going through her brain right now. “B-but Devon.”
“Devon made up his mind already, and I prefer not to put stock in someone who can change his mind so rapidly.”
“Ember.”
Before another word can come out of her mouth, I cross the distance between us and hug her.
I hug her for the way she accepted me. For the way she fought for me.
I hug her for all the work she does for Harvest Falls and the way she loves this town.
It truly was a treat to live here, and one I won’t readily forget.
But as I hug her, I know it’s the right decision. It’s about time I started making decisions with my brain instead of my heart.
“Don’t worry, I’ll stick around and figure out what to do about the haunted house. If he approves, I’ll keep the haunted house open. If he denies, I’ll issue refunds as quickly as possible.”
I give her one last squeeze and then leave the office. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. It’s been an emotionally taxing day.
The halls of the town offices narrow until I exit out the glass door. I step outside, and the breeze lifts my hair. I take a deep breath of fresh air.
While I’m standing there, a few people pull up to the front of the office. A few of them point at me, so I wave at them but beeline it out of there. I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone right now. I find the first place of refuge, but that also has an aroma that’s been known to pull me in.
As soon as I walk through the door, Bea moves around the counter and comes to give me a hug.
For a second, I feel as if she already knows what I just told the mayor, which would have to break a record for how fast news travels around here, but then she says, “How are you doing? Have you written the proposal yet?”
“In order to answer that, I’m going to need one of your pumpkin spice concoctions.”
“On it!” one of Bea’s staff calls out, and within a few moments, I hear the steam of one of the machines.
With her apron on, she sits with me at a secluded table in the corner. When my drink is done, a warm face and inviting smile drops it off. “Sorry about the haunted house. It’s not right.”
“Thanks,” I say, and then drink the delicious concoction. I swear all the employees here are witches brewing up these tasty delights that are so good they’re definitely potions of some kind or another.
For the next forty minutes, Bea listens to me talk about the manor and Devon.
I tell her everything, and for once, the rumor mill isn’t working with his injury.
But when I tell Bea, her face goes white.
It’s as if she knows right away what it means for him and me.
She reaches over and gives me a hug, no other words needed to explain the situation.
“The last time he got injured, we couldn’t get through to him for months. I can see on your face that you’re struggling with that now.”
Not even. I could take the fact that he would struggle with his injury, but I can’t take the idea of him pushing me out completely.
“Worse.”
“No,” she says, shaking her head.
“Afraid so.”
She frowns. Like the good friend she is, I feel like she pieces together the story, the things I didn’t tell, and has come up with the same ending that I just told the mayor. Tears well in her eyes. “I’ll always be here,” she says.
“I know.” I try to give her a smile but it comes out flat, like I can’t even force my face to fake it right now, let alone any other part of me.
“The manor?”
“I’ll finish up what I started, but that might be the end of it for me.
” I don’t know why I keep leaving myself the openness to stay.
I really don’t want to believe I have to say goodbye to this place.
That’s just my heart talking though, and I’m done listening to my heart since it’s brought me to this place.
“You know there’s a farmer’s market in the square that starts in…” She peers at her watch. “A half hour. Come with me.”
I hesitate. I want to tell her no, but her eyes are looking at me like that.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. Plus, you have to see Harvest Falls at its best so you can take home the memories with you.”
Not sure I even want the memories. They’ll be too hard to relive while I’m in Greenville, knowing a place like this exists. Knowing that for a few short months, I had everything I ever wanted. It wasn’t easy. I never expected it to be. But it was fun. It was memorable. I lived. I laughed.
Bea hugs me again, and I let her.
Harvest Falls sure will be hard to say goodbye to.