Page 3 of Rekindled Heat

"Does your mother know about this scheme of yours?"

"My mother supports me in all my endeavors, Mrs. Carter."

She made a face at me and went back to gossiping with her friends. My mother knew I wanted to do this, but she had reservations.

"So you're just going to show up at his doorstep? Do you even know where he lives?"

"Um, yeah. I've stayed in touch with his mother. I told her I was going to visit him, and she was over the moon. She went on and on about him not being able to stay in a relationship for long. I think she likes us as a couple—so, at least I have a friend in her.”

"Brandy, what if he does have a girlfriend and just doesn't tell his mother about her." Sam points out.

"I know that's possible, but I must take the chance."

"It's been twelve years. He could be a different man than the boy you remember so fondly. And he did dump you if you recall."

"I recall. You don't have to rub it in. Sam, I can't spend the rest of my life wondering what would have happened if I had taken the chance to try and get back with him."

It wasn't as if I hadn't tried to make a life apart from Erik Nelson. I did, and every relationship had been a disaster. Once, I even moved in with a man, but we didn't even last six months. My mother said I had put Erik on a pedestal and that I measured every man I met with him. I guess I did remember the good times more fondly than I should, and I couldn't let go of the memories.

"I think you're going to get hurt, and I hate that for you."

"Let's stop talking about me and focus on you for once. What's up with Hudson? Has he asked you out on a date yet?"

"Nope. He just doesn't see the fantastic opportunity he's missing. Besides, I don't have time to date, you know that. This shop is my baby, and I want to make it succeed."

I listen to Sam talk about Over the Roast and all the plans she has for it and get excited and happy for her. She works really hard, and she’s very smart, and I can't wait to see her succeed. When her break is over, she gives me a hug and goes back to the kitchen. I open my computer and start looking for quilt shops and supplies in the Miami area.

One of the things I am packing to take to Erik's is my sewing machine. It's my livelihood. I sell custom-made quilts and make quite a bit of money doing it. I also sell patterns and teach quilting classes at the community center. It's not the most glamorous job, and my lack of a college degree bothers me, but I truly love it.

My machine is a little rickety, and I should buy a new one, but I don't want to spend any of my savings just yet. Besides, it's the same one my great-grandmother used to make her own quilts. Right now, I don't know how long it will take me to convince Erik to give us a chance.

I stay at the shop until closing time, and Sam and I go for a celebration dinner. Is it bad luck to celebrate something that hasn't happened yet? I don't know, but I need all the good vibes I can get.

Back at home, Sam helps me pack up my things. My mother keeps coming in and looking at my bags, gives a big sigh, and then goes back to sit with my father in the living room.

"I thought your mother supported you in all your endeavors."

I roll my eyes at her and just keep packing. I don't want to bring too many things, but I hope to stay there indefinitely. Even if Erik doesn’t want me. I need a fresh start. A place of my own. Why not there?

"Mrs. Carter and her friends need to stay out of other people's business," I say.

"Like that is ever going to happen. They live for gossip and meddling. It's part of living in a small town."

"Do you ever want to get out of here, Sam?"

"I think there's potential here, Brandy. Are you going to try to relocate Erik? I don't think he'll go for it. He hasn't been back here in twelve years."

"I would spend the rest of my life here in Woodland Falls, but home is where Erik is."

"You still love him?"

"I never stopped."

The truth is I know that what I am planning is not going to be as easy as I make it out to be. Erik never came back after that last visit twelve years ago, but he always sends me a Christmas card. He never writes anything in it. He just signs it. But that makes me think that for a moment each year, he's thinking about me, and that is a small enough seed for me to plant and nurture.

Once I'm packed and say goodbye to Sam, I lie down on my bed and stare at the ceiling. There's a quilt hanging on the ceiling with a dark blue sky, the moon, and a lot of stars. I love looking at it every night. It reminds me of all the time Erik and I spent outdoors looking at the night sky. We were young and naive back then and made a lot of promises we didn't know we wouldn't be able to keep.

Pretty soon sleep takes me, and once again, I dream about Erik and I, together and in love.

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