Page 310 of Castleton Hearts Boxed Set

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Martha said, and I wanted to hide under the counter as she came into the kitchen for something.

“I’ll see you later, Charli,” Alivia said, and she didn’t look embarrassed at all as she said goodbye to Martha and thanked me for the sandwich. I must have made some kind of response. As soon as Alivia was gone, Martha was on me, her eyes bright and frenzied.

“She seems like a very nice girl,” Martha said. “And she’s got a good job.”

“True,” I said, hoping this interrogation would be quick and relatively painless.

“Your eyes lit up when she walked in,” she said. “I’m just saying.”

I didn’t know what she was talking about, but I did know that when Alivia was around, I had this giddy feeling that didn’t go away.

“I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m still…I’m scared. I don’t think I’m ready.” I wasn’t planning on admitting this, but the words came out of my mouth anyway.

Martha sat on the stool that Alivia had just left.

“Sometimes our hearts make our decisions for us. I met your uncle under similar circumstances. Did I ever tell you that I was engaged before? It didn’t work out.” I sat up, shocked. I’d never heard that before.

“It’s not something I talk about,” she said, continuing, “but I had just decided I didn’t want to marry that man and I was a mess. I was working in the kitchen at this crappy restaurant and there was this tall, silent man who washed the dishes who caught me crying in the alley and offered me a tissue and to buy me a drink. That was it.”

There were stars in her eyes as she talked about her husband. On the surface, it seemed like it would be a challenge to love this surly, grumpy man, but she did. And he worshipped the ground she walked on.

“I know it’s scary to trust someone with your heart again. But don’t close yourself off from something that could be really good. Making decisions based on fear almost never works out.” I knew she was right. I knew it in my bones. But that didn’t mean my mind was any clearer about what I should do.

“Thanks,” I told her, giving her a hug.

“You’re still young. You’ll figure it out. And I’m always here to talk.” She pressed a kiss to my cheek and then got back to mixing up the batter for another wedding cake.

I went back to my office, closed the door, and cried. I didn’t even know why I was crying. There was just so much going on in my head and I had to let it out.

Once I was done, I wiped my eyes, blew my nose, went to my computer, and got back to work. My heart could wait until later.

* * *

Paige invited me, Natalie, and Em over for dinner that night. I sent a message to Alivia, but she said she had to pick up her sister and her family at the airport and couldn’t come. I was almost relieved.

Esme’s dog, Stormy, greeted me at the door and I leaned down to pet Potato, the orange cat, as well.

“What a nice welcoming committee,” I called to the kitchen. Paige was busy over the stove and Esme was making drinks. Some things didn’t change.

“Hey, so we actually have another guest coming,” Paige said, opening the oven and checking whatever it was inside.

“Who?” I asked.

“Did you hear about the whole drama with Skippy Newman?” I had heard the name but didn’t know the story.

“No, tell me,” I said, sitting on one of the bar stools for some juicy Castleton gossip as an appetizer.

Paige took up a knife and started chopping cucumbers. “So, Skippy is from Castleton, but he met a girl from another town, Lizzie, and one thing led to another and they had a baby a few years ago and she moved here to be with him. Then, a few weeks ago, he fucking takes off to Vegas, breaks up with her via text, and she finds out that he’s married some girl he met online and has no intention of being a father anymore to his kid. Anyway, I’m in this freelance group chat, and one of the girls turns out to be Skippy’s ex’s sister, Sasha. Her lease was up, so she moved here for a little while to help her sister out with her niece, so I invited her over so she can make some friends.”

Wow. What a story.

“That’s a lot,” I said.

“Believe me, I know,” Paige said, rolling her eyes.

“Sangria?” Esme asked, and I held my hand out for a glass. “I tweaked the recipe, let me know what you think.”

I took a sip and almost moaned out loud.

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