Page 92 of Searching for Sadie
My Darling Sadie,
I know many people were confused as to why I gave you this house. You seem to have a wonderful life in Nashville, and I'm so proud of everything you've done. You are such a talented young songwriter, but more than that you are an amazing person with a big heart. I see a lot of myself in you, and I guess that's why I wanted you to have this house.
When I moved to Mystic Falls all those years ago, I had nothing but a job teaching music at the high school. My family didn't want to move here by myself, it was a different time for women then. But I did. I did, and it was the best decision of my life. This town saved my life in so many ways. This town gave me a safe place to discover who I was.
Well, when I knew the cancer was back and I knew my time here was limited I really started to think about the legacy I was going to leave. I have my family, but sometimes those relationships are too complicated to support me in the ways I need. I couldn't help but observe, you might struggle with some of those same problems.
One day I had my friend Bridget over for tea. She saw your picture on the mantle and asked about you. Of course, I had to sing the praises of my songwriter great niece. That is when I had the idea to leave this house to you. Bridget told me that this house might just give you the fresh start you needed, and while I don't know if you need a fresh start or not, I've learned in my time with Bridget to just go with it.
Now if you don't want this house, please sell it and have a nice nest egg for your next adventure. But if Bridget was right and you could use a fresh start, there is no better place than Mystic Falls.
I love you,
Aunt Rosie
PS I have a very handsome neighbor who is single and one of the kindest men I've met. You should meet Lucas.
PPS I'm sorry about George... He's just going to do his own thing.
Sadie brushed awaythe tear that streamed down her cheek as she read the letter. It had been so strange to everyone in her family just why she'd been given this house. Her aunt and her had always been kindred spirits from the music to the way they just couldn't seem to ever do things the easy way. That was what Sadie had thought. But somehow her aunt had known she would need a fresh start in a new place. She was right about that.
She was also right about Mystic Falls. This little town and this community were just what she needed. They had embraced her with open arms. And then there was the little postscript about a handsome neighbor. A teary laugh bubbled up out of her when she thought about exactly how right her aunt had been about that. How could she have known? She would have to ask Lucas who Bridget was.
George bumped her hand holding the letter.
"Hey buddy," she said, giving him a scratch behind his ears. "Aunt Rosie was pretty smart, wasn't she?"
A knock sounded on her front door, and she was hoping it was her handsome neighbor. As she made her way to the top of the stairs, she could see the large expanse of chest filling up the window of her front door. A smile spread across her face. It was exactly who she hoped it would be.
Her feet quickly carried her to the front door as she flung it open and threw herself at her big strong next-door neighbor.
"Lucas!"
His arms quickly encircled her.
"What is it baby? What's wrong?" He pulled her back to examine her. Concern covered his face but upon taking her in that concern turned into curiosity.
"Nothing wrong. I'm just happy it's you."
A grin spread across his face before he pulled her back into his embrace.
Something in that letter had mended a part of her broken heart nothing had yet been able to touch. The idea that this was her home settled deeper inside. Lucas pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and she melted even more into him.
She pulled back just enough to smile up at him. "My aunt was right about you."
He cocked his head to the side, "I'm not following."
"I found a letter from my aunt today. She told me I should meet her handsome next-door neighbor."
He laughed as he ran a hand through her hair. "Oh, she did, did she?"
"She did. She also told me that she gave me this house because of something Bridget said."
"That tracks," Lucas said with a nod.
"Does it?" Sadie asked with a slight giggle. "I didn't think it made any sense."
"Well, you clearly need to spend more time with Bridget." He cupped her face and gazed down into her eyes. It felt like he could see straight into her soul, and while that should terrify her, with Lucas all she ever felt was safe. "What are you up to tonight?"
