Page 89 of Fire in My Heart

Ididn’t reach out to Charlotte. I wanted to know how she was doing, but every time I thought about texting or calling, the cavern in my chest expanded.

She put my family in danger. I couldn’t dismiss that so easily.

I searched the court’s online database to confirm that she’d at least filed a petition for the temporary peace order, and it was granted.

It hurt to even think about her. I’d fallen for her, but I never really knew her at all. I moved back into my house even though the floors weren’t completed because I couldn’t stand to be her next-door neighbor anymore.

I wanted to reassure myself that she was okay, which didn’t make any sense. She’d lied to me. I shouldn’t care about her well-being.

I hated that my heart wasn’t catching up with my brain. She’d done an unforgivable thing. I wouldn’t be seeing her anytime soon. If I had my way, she wouldn’t be working at the farm anymore. That way I wouldn’t have to see her at all.

Hopefully, she’d move to another town to get a job. I triedand failed not to let that bother me. I was so frustrated with myself; I worked longer hours.

I didn’t want to be on the farm because memories of me and Charlotte were everywhere: the main house, the barn, and the cottage. She’d ruined my childhood home for me. I should have been pissed about that too, but my heart was fond of the memories.

I’d never felt so conflicted. When I broke up with my girlfriend in college, it was easy. There were already fractures in our relationship. With the demands of my family, I couldn’t give her what she wanted. By the time I broke things off, no one’s feelings were hurt. It was a natural progression.

But this thing with Charlotte felt like severing an important part of my body. I didn’t want to feel pain, but I did. I didn’t want to think about her, but I couldn’t stop.

I’d avoided Wes’s calls and pretended I wasn’t home when he knocked on the door. It felt juvenile, but I didn’t want to talk to anyone.

I’d have to see everyone on Christmas, and that was soon enough. I volunteered to work third shift on Christmas Eve. In the morning, I came home and took a quick nap before heading over to the house for brunch. Daphne usually baked for us.

I could use something sweet with my coffee, especially after working all night. I felt groggy and out of sorts. It was becoming my new state of being.

I wanted to know how Charlotte was, where she was staying, and if she was safe. But she wasn’t mine to worry about anymore. It hurt more than anything that she hadn’t let me in. She didn’t trust me with what was going on in her life.

Around eleven, I walked into the house and straight to the kitchen where pastries were sitting on the island.

Izzy rolled her eyes. “Everyone’s falling in love.”

I snagged a pastry, her words twisting like a knife in my chest. “Speak for yourself.”

Izzy giggled. “Teddy and Charlotte kissing in a tree.”

“None of that.” I picked her up, tickling her as I tossed her around.

“Stop. Stop,” Izzy shrieked.

“Uncle Teddy’s not kissing Charlotte,” Daphne chided.

Not anymore, he isn’t.But whose fault was that? I was starting to wonder.

Izzy’s eyes widened. “But I saw you?—”

I carried her out of the room.

“What was that about?” Daphne’s words drifted off as I dropped Izzy on the couch.

“You shouldn’t tease people. It’s not nice.” My voice was gruffer than usual.

Izzy sobered. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

I sat on the couch by her feet.

Izzy sat up. “But I saw you.”

I gave her a look, wondering which time I’d snuck a kiss with Charlotte on the farm that she’d been watching. “You don’t know what you saw.”

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