Page 60 of The Candlemaker

“You know, my son brought me another candle that I love. It’s over there on my dresser.”

“What does that one smell like?” I asked like I didn’t know.

“Happiness.” Her wrinkled cheeks creased even deeper with her smile.

“Well, wait until you smell this one.” I ignored the broken frame on the floor just like she did, leading her to the small sitting area away from the scene of their argument. The lighter touched the wick, drawing it to life.

“This is my favorite candle,” I told her, lifting the jar closer so she could smell.

“Cinnamon,” she exhaled.

“Warmth and comfort,” I countered with a smile.

“My Chandler got this for me?”

I nodded, desperately keeping my eyes from flicking to the man who commanded every room he entered except for this one; in this one, he hung back in the shadows.

“Yes, he did.”

She smiled. “Oh, he’s so good.” Her eyes flicked to mine. “And handsome. He’s going to be trouble for the ladies when he’s older.”

He certainly was.But I kept that to myself. It was obvious she was remembering Chandler as much younger than he currently was.

“Well, he certainly loves you.”

“Oh, you’re sweet.” She nodded, and her eyes fluttered a little quicker. “He does everything for me. Everything. Too much.”

Chandler didn’t move. At some moments, I swore he didn’t even breathe in case it might break her calm.

“He does too much,” she repeated softly.

“It’s never too much when it’s for family.” I leaned forward and took a deep inhale of the candle, and then added wryly, “Trust me, you should hear the things I’ve done for my family.”

When I looked up at her, Laura had her head tipped to one side, an entertained smile on her face.

Crap.

“Well, now I think you have to tell me,” she declared, linking her hands in her lap.

Nice, Frankie.I didn’t plan on inserting myself into this situation, but I couldn’t deny her. Especially when her emotional state was on the line.

I slowly set the candle on the coffee table, taking a beat to steady the erratic pace of my heart…and feel the warm weight of Chandler’s gaze on my back. There were so many things I could say—so many stories—but for some reason, the only one I could manage was ours.

“Well, one time I pretended to be my twin sister so that she didn’t have to go on a date with this guy she’d just met,” I said,my head angling slightly because I swore I heard a low sound come from Chandler.

“Oh my.” Laura chuckled. “Why didn’t she want to go on the date?

“The guy…she wasn’t sure of his intentions.”

“Oh dear.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “So, she asked you to go instead?”

“Oh no, I volunteered.” I grinned.

“And what did you think of him?”

All my witty responses disappeared like dandelion seeds in the breeze.

“I thought he was…handsome. Charming. But a little too secretive.”

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