I arrive back in Oakridge Hollow a few hours later, my mind swirling with thoughts of Andrew intermingled with my excitement for Timeless Tales. My mother is waiting at our old house, anxiously craning her neck to catch a glimpse of me through the window.
“Jane!” she exclaims as I walk through the door, and she wraps me in a hug.
I chuckle as I return her embrace, caught by surprise by her enthusiasm. Even my dad with his gimp knee makes it out of his armchair, coming over to envelop me in a bear hug.
“Hey, kiddo,” he says gruffly, ruffling my hair like I’m still that eight-year-old kid who used to sit on his lap and read stories from the Timeless Tales bookstore.
My throat tightens at the memory, and I push it away. “Hey, Dad,” I reply, peeling off my winter jacket and draping it over the coatrack.
“Janie!” Nonna’s face lights up as she sees me. She pats the chair next to her, and I rush over, dropping into it and hugging her tight. Her hair smells like lilac shampoo, and there is an underlying scent of baked apple pie lingering in the room.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she says, her voice quivering with emotion. “I want to hear all about your trip after we talk about Timeless Tales.”
The mention of the bookstore brings a flutter of excitement and nerves to my stomach. Despite everything, I can’t help but smile at the idea of running my childhood sanctuary. But then thoughts of Andrew pop into my mind, softening my smile.
“We’ve been beside ourselves with excitement since Regina called, kiddo,” Dad says, the corners of his eyes crinkling in delight.
“It’s what you’ve always wanted,” Nonna pipes in, her frail voice full of conviction.
“Regina wants someone who loves that place as much as she does,” my mother adds, her blue eyes twinkling with unshed tears. “And that’s you, Janie. She’s ready if you are.”
I can’t believe it. I’m really going to be the owner of Timeless Tales. It feels…surreal.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. This is the moment everything changes, and I can’t help but glance back at the path that led me here—a failed engagement, a detour in Silver Valley, and a serendipitous meeting with Andrew. It’s all brought me to this very moment, where my dream is within arm’s reach. It’s time to move forward.
“Alright, then,” I say, my voice steady even with my heart pounding in my chest. “It’s time to start a new chapter.”
There’s a moment of silence that hangs in the air, then the room bursts into cheers. My mother is quick to pull me into her arms, tears welling in her eyes.
“Oh, Jane,” she whispers. “I’m so proud of you.”
I give her a watery smile as Dad claps me on the back, his grin broad.
Nonna just grips my hand tightly, her gaze warm and knowing. Her words are soft but hit me like a punch to the gut.
“Chase after your dreams, Janie,” she says. “And your heart will follow.”
7
Andrew
I wake up to the sound of Angus’s paws scrambling across the hardwood floor. He barks excitedly and jumps on the bed. The bright sunlight peeks through my window blinds, casting patterns on the walls. I open my bedroom door, as Angus shoots out toward the living room.
The house is eerily quiet. Normally, I would hear Jane’s slippers shuffling down the hallway or her morning chatter as she makes breakfast. But today, there is only silence, with the occasional chirping of birds outside.
I call out for Jane, but there is no response. As an hour passes with still no sign of her, I start to feel a pit of worry form in my stomach. I knock gently on her bedroom door, hoping she’s just sleeping in. No response.
As I push open the door, I find an immaculately made bed and no sign of her belongings. Panic sets in as I frantically search the rest of the empty house, only to find her car missing from the driveway.
Just when I’m about to fully lose it, a loud crash echoes through the house. I run to investigate and find Angus proudly standing next to a knocked-over trash can. As I start picking up the crumpled papers scattered across the floor, my heart sinks as I realize they are letters from Jane, well, the start of ones. A sharp pain shoots through me as I read them and realize that she left without a word or explanation.
“I don’t understand,” I mutter, my chest feels heavy and confused. “She just left?”
Angus barks in response.
I read the single sentences in the crumpled papers and can see that Jane’s absence is her own doing. She didn’t even say goodbye. I know it was only three days together but there was something here between us. Something real.
“She’s gone,” I mutter aloud.
