Page 34 of Wild Nights

She smiled. "You too."

I hung up, wishing I could have kept her on the phone longer. She was hurting, and it was nice that she shared her past with me. But in the end, she decided that I wasn't close enough to her to continue the conversation. I had to respect her decision.

We had one more night in December, and then I probably wouldn't see her again. Carolina was a private person, and she wasn't ready for a relationship. Neither was I. I had my son to think about.

Yet it was nice to talk to someone outside of my family. Holidays could be hard for people. My heart hurt for the little girl her father walked out on. She felt the need to take care of everyone, and I sensed that she still did. That's why it stung so much when her mother and sister said they didn't need the traditional meal.

I wasn't sure what the solution was in her situation, but I didn't want her to change for anyone, including me. That's why I needed to back off. It was bittersweet getting a glimpse into her life, then knowing I needed to remove myself from the situation.

I didn't regret talking to her.

I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if Carolina lived closer. If she were interested in a relationshipwith me. We could spend the holiday together, have the traditional meal we both craved. But she didn't know I had a child. It might not be what she wanted.

So there was no point in wondering about the what-ifs. We had one more night, and that would have to be enough for both of us. I had a feeling Carolina was going to be the one to pull away. Her father had hurt her deeply, and it was clear she didn't trust easily. She'd taken a chance on me, but that didn't mean she wanted more. Or that she was even capable of it.

Her father had betrayed her in the worst way possible, forcing her to grow up sooner than she should have had to. And now the rest of her family was moving on too. She was lonely but still strong and independent. If she wanted to change the rules of our relationship, she could have said something. Instead, she'd gotten off the phone.

One more night would have to be enough.

Chapter Eleven

CAROLINA

December

Conference season had slowed. It was the time of the year when I usually reveled in the holiday season. I decorated the inside and outside of the house and went to as many holiday events as I could fit in. But it didn't feel the same this year.

Ginny spent more and more time with her boyfriend, going to town events with him. Mom was in the honeymoon phase of a new relationship, and she deserved it after everything she'd gone through. It was time for her to find happiness. She'd raised us, putting off dating until we were gone. So I was happy for her.

It just meant that I was alone at the house a lot. Not something that had ever bothered me before. I was actually looking forward to the holiday bazaar in Telluride, and not just because I'd see Oliver again.

I wanted to get out of town. I needed to reevaluate my life. When I was packing for my trip, Ginny walked in and sat on the bed. I had the worst feeling about why she was here. She hadn't been present for much of the last few weeks.

"I have to talk to you about something."

I sighed as I finished folding a sweater. "What about?"

"I talked to Waylon about moving in together. He thinks it's a good idea."

This shouldn't come as a surprise. "Okay."

"You're not going to say it's a bad idea? That I should maintain my own place and my independence?"

"It's your life. You make your own decisions." I sat on the bed on the other side of the suitcase. "You were younger when Dad left. It affected you differently."

Ginny smiled. "I was raised by a single mother, and my sister helped out a lot. But I don't remember Dad being home."

We'd had this conversation many times before, but I thought this was the first time I was really hearing her. She didn't feel abandoned by my dad. He was just never there for her. She didn't know any differently.

"What will you do with the house?" Ginny asked.

I looked around at the bedroom I thought was perfect when we looked at this house. "I'm not sure. I might sell it."

Ginny frowned. "You don't want to have a place to live when you're in town?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure I need it. Not enough to justify paying a mortgage for a house that's empty most of the time."

Ginny turned to face me. "But you enjoy cooking and decorating so much. I can't see you renting."

---