Page 5 of Everything I Need

The next time I went to her apartment to beg for her forgiveness, her roommate told me she'd moved out, accepted a job and asked her to not tell me where she'd gone. I was devastated. For about a year after that I continued to send her messages begging for her to meet me. I never got any answers from her, and one day, someone else responded telling me that they were not Scarlett. She had changed her number.

Over the years I've tried to talk to her when I’ve run into her at events, but she always skillfully avoids me when she catches sight of me walking towards her. Since we were usually at charity events, I didn’t push her, I didn't chase her down and demand she listen. I left it at that point up to fate. If we were meant to be, our paths would cross again. It hurt like hell.

I can’t stop loving her, even if I wanted to.

Against my father’s wishes I quit working at the hospital and spent a large chunk of my savings on not only the practice but a small log cabin at the edge of town on the river. Now I get to spend time fishing after work, and sometimes on lunch. At sunset I get to enjoy the vivid colors descending through the trees lighting up the wildflower field on the opposite side of the river.

My father and his wife, Eleanor, are currently not speaking to me because of my choices. According to them, I’ve disgraced the West name almost as badly as my brother, Colton, who chose to open a construction business. He builds million dollar homes but that is definitely not the appearance my father wants to give off for his family. Dr. Ethan West wants two affluent surgeons in the family to follow in his footsteps. Right before I signed the papers on the sale of the practice, he called me to give meone more chanceat keeping my West Family inheritance.

I obviously declined. I have done well for myself while working at the hospital. I kept a small studio apartment, and I worked so much I never had a chance to spend a dime of my checks on fun. This freedom, the views, the people, it’s worth more than an inheritance every day.

I’ve made my choice. And I’ve chosen happiness over money. Now I only need Scarlett to complete my picture perfect future.

Chapter Three

Scarlett

Itfeelsamazingtobe back home, to be back in my world of comfort with mom, but tonight that comfort will be shattered. My sister, Adelaide, is coming for dinner.

She’s the only one of us who stayed here in Lupine Valley. Willow is off trying to make it big in Nashville, and Lacey lives a few hours away in Maine near her husband’s family. Mom hasn’t even given me a whole week to get settled in before trying to get Adelaide and I to mend our relationship. I don’t blame her though; us girls were always close growing up. That is, until five years ago.

I’ve barely spoken to Adelaide in the last five years. I was basically kicked out of the family in the eyes of her and Willow. Lacey just tried to keep the peace. I came home for Dad's funeral and that was it. Even for holidays, Mom would take the bus down to Boston afterwards and we'd have a special weekend just the two of us.

Niles kept me so busy I never got to come say goodbye to Dad. Eventually, they couldn’t wait for me anymore. It was a fight with Niles to be there for the funeral, but I put my foot down. I carried enough guilt about not being there the day they took Dad off life support.

I’m sure the high and mighty,and sexy, Dr. West had something to say about that when he gossiped with the nurses. I flip flop between anger and love for that infuriating man. For a while Preston tried to get me to meet him, but I saw them together. I saw that kiss. I couldn’t handle hearing that he wanted her over me. I loved, still love, him. He’s always going to be the one that got away. I just can’t handle the rejection. I thought he loved me too.

Although I suppose when you have Elizabeth Hunter in your arms, I pale in comparison. Seeing her wrapped around Preston is the second worst moment of my life. That sight instantly ruined the entire future we used to plan late at night under the stars. The fact that I let his presence and his thoughts of me have anything to do with my relationship with my sisters makes me so irrationally angry with him. If it weren’t for what he was saying that day, I would have gone to talk to my sisters instead of running off. Or so I like to think.

Mom thinks tonight’s dinner will be some intervention for Adelaide and I, like her apple pie might magically heal the chasm that’s grown between us over the last five years. To be honest, if she makes her homemade vanilla bean ice cream, it might just be magical enough.

I need a moment to breathe before dinner with Adelaide, to clear my head.

It isn’t that I don’t want to see her, I’m just so nervous to see her knowing the conversation we’re going to have. We’ve avoided it long enough, and now that I’m home Mom isn’t going to let us continue.

I know the exact spot I need to escape to. It’s the most beautiful wildflower field, right on the river with gorgeous views of the mountains and sunsets.

Dad and I used to hike there when I was little, and then it became our spot whenever I needed him and his advice. It's not too far from Mom’s house but I decided to drive over to the trail so I can be home before Adelaide arrives. I need as many advantages as I can get for my nerves.

As I walk along the trail, I can feel my soul getting lighter. The birds chirping, and the river running create the most Zen soundtrack.

This is my spot. I haven’t been here since the day of Dad’s funeral, but I’ve thought about it all the time. I think that he is calling me back here today. People like to hike the trail, but not many people know if they take a tiny cut through it will lead them to a postcard view of New Hampshire; but I do, and I’ve never shared my spot with anyone. Call me selfish, but I wanted this spot to stay mine and Dad’s secret forever.

As I turn off the main trail, the sounds of the river get closer. Once it opens up into the field, the colors burst out against the river's edge.

The wildflowers are everything I remember. Full of yellows, pinks, and purples.

It's almost Lupine season too, they bloom for two weeks out of the year, and the fact that I haven’t missed this year’s bloom makes my heart happier than it has been in years.

I lay out my blanket carefully, so I don’t disturb the flowers, and lay on my back, admiring the beauty of the mountains, and feeling the hot sunshine on my face. I lay with my eyes closed, listening to the sounds of nature, and imagining the advice Dad would be giving me about the situation.

I can almost hear him say, “Cut the bullshit baby girl, own your part in this mess and fix it.” Dad never was one for drama.

God, I miss him.

The next thing I know, there is something wet on my face.Is it raining?

Opening my eyes, I see a chocolate lab puppy bouncing in excitement.

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