Page 62 of Rust and Stardust

Mabel was quiet for a moment, her eyes searching my face. “Are you sure about that, Beau? Are you certain everything was a lie?”

I wanted to say yes, to insist that Lucas had played me for a fool from the start. But the words caught in my throat. Because deep down, I knew it wasn't true. The way he'd looked at me, touched me, held me... that couldn't have all been fake. Could it?

“I don't know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I knew him, Mabel. I thought...” I trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

She nodded, understanding in her eyes. “Lovehas a way of blinding us, sweetheart. But it also has a way of revealing truths we might not otherwise see.”

I frowned, confused by her words. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” Mabel said, her voice gentle but firm, “that sometimes love can make us see the best in people, even when they've made mistakes. And sometimes, it can help us forgive those mistakes.”

I shook my head, feeling a surge of anger. “Forgive him? After what he did?”

Mabel sighed, her eyes filled with a wisdom that came from years of life experience. “I'm not saying what he did was right, Beau. But people do foolish things for all sorts of reasons. Have you even given him a chance to explain?”

The memory of Lucas's desperate face flashed through my mind. I had been so angry, so hurt, that I'd barely let him get a word in before I'd told him to leave. Shame washed over me as I realized how quick I'd been to push him away.

“I... I didn't,” I muttered. “Not fully anyway.”

Mabel nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. “Maybe that's where you need to start, honey. Hear him out. You don't have to forgive him or take him back, but at least give yourself the chance to understand.”

I sat back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. The thought of facing Lucas again made my stomach churn, but Mabel's words had planted a seed of doubt in my mind. What if there was more to the story than I knew? What if there was something redeemable about his story? Would I take him back? I wasn’t sure. But suddenly there was a burning desire in my belly to know the whole truth.

“I don't even know where he is,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “He could be halfway back to New York by now. Once he’s back in that big city… there’s no way I’d ever find him.”

Mabel's lips curved into a small smile. “Now, I wouldn't go givin’ up just yet.”

She reached into the breast pocket of her shirt and pulled out aneatly folded square of paper. Setting it down on the table, she pushed it over to me. On the front of it was my name in a handwriting I didn’t recognize.

“What’s that?” I said, too afraid to touch it.

“Just read it,” she replied. “And remember that this old woman has been around the block a time or two. She’s no fool when it comes to things like this.”

I reached out, picking up the paper. Unfolding it with shaking hands, I started to read.

Beau,

I guess I’m not sure where to start other than tell you I’m sorry again, from the bottom of my heart. When I came to Sagebrush, I never expected to meet such good people. Maybe that was my ignorance and prejudice getting in the way, but the people I met in this little town were so much better than I expected. And you Beau, my gorgeous savior of a cowboy. You were the best of them all.

I wish I could tell you that what I did wasn’t true. But I did come to Sagebrush to steal from you all. My boss isn’t the nicest guy, and he knew Logan had connections down here. He offered us a promotion if we pulled it off. But he also told us that we’d never work in New York again if we didn’t. With rent and student loans and overdue bills piling up on top of us, we didn’t feel like we could say no. Both of us worked so hard to get to where we are and… well, we didn’t think we had a choice.

But I see now that I was wrong about that. Wrong about Sagebrush and definitely wrong about the people there. I know it’ll never make up for it, but Logan and I burned the book we kept all the recipes in, including the one for your prize-winning barbecue. The only person that knows it is you. And by the time you read this, I’ll be on a plane back to New York to tell my boss to kiss my ass. After that, I’m not sure where Logan and I will go. But I’ll write you when I can. Mabel gave me your address so I can at least let you know when I get settled. Then, if you don’t ever want to talk to me again, I’ll understand.

Please know that I might’ve lied about why I was in Sagebrush, but I NEVER lied about how I felt about you. You’re one of the good ones Beau. Any man would be lucky to have you.

I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Love,

Lucas.

I looked up at Mabel, tears running down my cheeks. “W-What… What do I do?”

She glanced down at her watch. “Well, if you head for the airport now, you can probably catch him before he moves out of his apartment.”

I was on my feet in an instant.

“Hold on a second,” she said, pulling another slip of paper out of her pocket. “Here’s his address.” As I went to take it, she grabbed my hand and pulled me in close, her smile widening. “You love that boy, don’t you?”

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