Page 9 of Fall I Want
My nostrils flare. I’m angry at the world, and I’m bitter.
A few minutes later, my phone rings, and I see my sister’s name. I answer.
“If Roxie told you to call me, it’s not happening.Leave. Me. Alone,” I say, shaking my head.
“Ew. You’rerude,” Harper says. “What are you talking about?”
“Sorry. I know how she likes to loop you into the bullshit sometimes.”
“Something I should know about?”
I clear my throat. “I’m not doing the interview tonight.”
“Uh.” Her voice goes up an octave. “But I thought yo—”
“I want to disappear for a few months.”
She bursts into laughter. “Hilarious that you actually believe you candisappear.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” I say, clenching my jaw as I unlock the Jeep with the four-wheel drive I purchased and had delivered to the airport this morning.
Now, she’s wheezing.
“I will end this call,” I warn as I take the top off the Jeep. Now that the sun is out, I want to soak it in.
“Wait,” she continues, still laughing at me. “Did you forget who you are?”
“Goodbye.” I contemplate hanging up, but I would never do that to her. My sister is kind, even if she’s outspoken.
“No, no, please don’t. But I want to remind you, I predicted all of this.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t start with the psychic thing again, okay?”
“Have you met her yet? The woman who will stop you in your tracks and steal your breath away with one glance?”
Goosebumps trail over my arms because I remember the vision Harper had about my life almost two years ago. Everything she’s said has happened in the correct order.
“Harp.” I sigh.
“You saw her, didn’t you?” She laughs. “I’m excited for you.”
“Stop.” I don’t want to entertain it anymore.
“Did you go to Cozy Hollow?” She grows silent. “To see if Hollow Manor feels like home?”
“Sometimes you’re annoying,” I mutter. It was a part of her prophecy, too. But it was the only place that felt right when I knew I needed to leave. My mother loved visiting Cozy Hollow. And I did too, when I was younger.
Before I was born, my father built a ski resort on top of the mountain as a gift to my mom, along with allowing her to design her dream home. After my mother passed away, I inherited the manor, but I’ve refused to visit since she’s been gone. It was always too hard, until now. Having my life in shambles makes being back here not seem as hard.
I finally feel ready to face this place and the memories attached to it.
This town embodies everything my mother loved in the fall and winter. I want to experience that magic again.
“Please promise me you won’t be a recluse in that big house.”
“I can’t do that,” I tell her.
“Make some friends or something. Enjoy the festivities.”
