Page 3 of My Heart To Heal

‘Marissa?’

‘Missy, please. Hey, how are you?’ I pull her into a hug and start grabbing some of her bags. ‘Is this all you brought?’ I ask, surprised at the small amount of luggage. ‘You’re moving your whole life here, and this is it? Meh, this means we get to go shopping.’

‘Well, I don’t know if I’m moving yet. I’m here for a bit, but I don’t know how long. Most of my stuff is in storage.’

I laugh as we move toward the exit.

‘This is South Carolina, honey. Once you’re in, you won’t want to leave.’

I was right. Iknew we were going to hit it off. I felt it deep in my soul, and, okay, she didn’t know anybody else and had nowhere to stay when she found out the house Roberta left her was a wreck, so she had to stay with me, but Cara is officially my best friend.

The pastnine months with her in my life have been the best. She quickly met some other friends in Bree and Zoe, twins who pretty much own the town they live in, as one of them is the police chief and the other runs the bar, but instead of shutting me out in favor of more local friends, she brought me into their little circle.

I have friends for the first time in so long, and I’m so happy.

I love them, and I love Forest Falls.

When I first came here almost a year ago, I couldn’t believe how cute it was. Back then, I was just dropping Cara here to start her new life. I had no idea then that as well as her, this town would become so special to me.

The truth is, without me asking, they — Cara and her found family here — opened their arms to me without them knowing I really needed it.

When Roberta died, Grandpa sat me down and tearfully told me that he couldn’t live in that house without her. He offered me and Jonah the opportunity to go with him but told us he was moving to Montana. I wanted to go. I wanted to be near him. He isn’t getting any younger, and he and Jonah are all the family I have left, but I can’t leave South Carolina. As much as I hate him, Bax is Jonah’s dad, and I can’t just move him to another state.

‘Hello, Missy,’ Mrs. Abernathy, one of the older residents of Forest Falls, greets me as I enter the diner.

‘Oh, hey, Mrs. Abernathy, how are you doing today?’

‘I’m good, sweetheart. I heard a rumor you’re our entertainment tomorrow?’

I smile and look around for ears that shouldn’t be hearing this conversation.

‘I am. I can’t wait. Buck and Lucy are the sweetest.’

Tomorrow, I am singing at a wedding in Cara’s backyard, a surprise wedding no less. That is, everyone knows except the bride.

After Bax and I finally broke up, I needed to find something for me. I gave up the apartment, and Jonah and I moved back in with Grandpa and Roberta, so in the evening, once Jonah was asleep, I needed something to do. I had no friends left — they never came back, and there were only so many books I could read or card games I could enjoy with my grandparents. So, I started thinking about the things I enjoyed before Bax, and singing came out on top. I searched local classifieds until I found a band looking for a singer. I met the guys, and we all clicked, so I started singing with them a few times a month. It’s something I love and gives me a few extra dollars each month. This one though, the wedding, we’reperforming for free.

‘They are indeed,’ Mrs. Abernathy pats my arm, ‘well, I can’t wait to hear you sing.’

As she walks away, I find my friend Bree and drop into the booth she’s sitting at.

‘You’re here.’ She grins. She’s not wearing her police chief uniform today.

‘I am. Child-free and ready for a weekend of fun.’

‘You make it sound like we’re heading to Vegas.’

I laugh. ‘Honey, when you have a five-year-old son, a weekend alone is better than Vegas.’ I reach for the pitcher of water on the table and pour myself a glass. ‘I love that boy more than life itself, but five is a fresh kind of hell.’

‘And that is why my uterus will remain blissfully vacant.’

I envy Bree. I love being a mom. Jonah is the greatest thing in my life, but Bree and her twin Zoe don’t have to worry about childcare. They can stay in bed until midday if they want to and don’t have to hide their snacks. Their whole lives are not driven by what to prepare for the next meal — well, Zoe’s is, but that’s just because that woman loves food.

Zoe does want kids, but Bree is secure in her choice not to have them, and I respect that.

‘Do we need to help with the set-up at Cara’s?’

‘Yeah, we can headup there after lunch. Doug’ll probably try laying down the law and telling us what to do, so bring your sassy pants.’

---