Chase hated to leave Alex, but he feared his emotions would get the best of him. He needed to think without the distraction of her precious face. He had no choice. He had to return to New York with the manuscript. Even now his heart was still back at Miss Olivia’s house with Alex. However, did Alex feel the same about him? They had met mere days ago. Her feelings might not match his. He contemplated his feelings for her. It felt like love, but would he recognize that should it happen? Maybe this was a simple fascination. Still the fact loomed. He had to return to New York. He had responsibilities. He settled on intense prayer about his feelings while away from Alex. Possibly a conversation with his mom could help sort his feelings. That would be his game plan, even though leaving Alex would prove painful.
He popped the manuscript disk into his laptop and began reading. He shook his head and sighed. Miss Olivia could sure make words dance.
After reading the first chapter, there were no editor’s marks to be made. What a loss to the writing world. He recalled the journal he had found back at the house. He would encourage Alex to set aside any other story remnants she might find as she went through Miss Olivia’s things. There was a chance this manuscript didn’t have to be the last story Alexa Livingston told.
* * *
My slumber ended with a knock echoing up the stairs. I rolled over and moaned. Suddenly I realized the sun was up and the knocking must have been Chase. I leapt from the bed and sprinted down the stairs. I squinted upon opening the door. When my eyes began to adjust, Chase was looking me over and grinning, eyebrows raised.
“Did I wake you?” His voice was full of sarcasm.
I looked down at my crumpled pajamas and back to him. “Nope, it’s a new look,” I shot back with an equal amount of sarcasm.
We both broke forth in laughter.
I stepped to the side and motioned. “Come in. I’m sorry. I know I look like a total train wreck.”
“If a train wreck can be adorable, then I agree.”
My ears blazed hot. I propped my hand on my hip. “Adorable, please. This? You can’t be serious. Maybe you need your eyes checked.”
“Nope.” His expression softened, and I was swept into his arms. He kissed me and then stepped back. “My eyesight is fine.”
I was having trouble catching my breath.
“But, seriously, did you have trouble sleeping? I crashed.”
“I guess…a little trouble.”
His brow knitted. “Why?”
“Well, I had to do something before I could fall asleep.”
“Did you look through more of your granny’s things?” Chase shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and glanced around.
“No. I had to write something.”
“Oh?”
“Do you believe in epiphanies? You know, like God telling you something that you have to write down?”
He tilted his head. “I suppose. Remember, I’m not a writer. I just edit.”
“Well, God just wouldn’t let me go to sleep until I had written down an outline.”
“An outline?” His brow crinkled.
“Yeah. An outline for a story about Granny Olivia’s life.”
“Maybe this writing thing is in the genes, huh?” He adjusted my pajama collar. His lack of sincerity flustered me. “Oh, by the way, if you find any more of those journals your granny left behind, let me know. The one I picked up last night probably has other parts that go with it because it was more like the middle of the story.”
I nodded. I still couldn’t bring myself to tell him the journal he had read from last evening was mine.
“Now you need to get dressed. I’m taking you to breakfast. My plane leaves for New York at noon.”
His tone evidenced an excitement to return to New York. But, New York was his home. He was probably glad to be returning there.
“You sit. I’ll hurry.”
“I’m good. I have some calls to make and some texts and emails to send.” He pulled out his phone, meandered to the couch, and plopped down. “Need to let everyone know I’m coming back with the manuscript.”
When he mentioned the manuscript his face lit up. He had accomplished his mission. In a way, I wished we hadn’t found the disk so soon. Now I only had until noon before Chase would leave me for his real life. My demeanor was sure to show the sadness I was feeling.
The ride to the restaurant was quiet. As we sat across from each other at the diner, the silence hung heavy.
“Hey, you seem down or distracted. What’s wrong?” Chase’s head tilted to one side, and his eyes probed mine.
I shrugged. “I don’t know.” I picked at the food on my plate with my fork.
Chase lifted my chin with his fingertips. “Come back with me to New York.”
My jaw dropped. I never expected him to ask me that. My mind was fuzzy for a moment. I shook my head. “I would never fit in there.”
“How would you know? You’ve never been there with me.” His eyes widened, and his face took on an expectant expression.
A heaviness spread through my chest. “But you have a life there and work.”
Chase glanced at his watch. “I wish I had more time, but I do have to get back with this book of your granny’s. Can I call you?”
“Of course.”
I fought a painful lump in my throat that threatened to burst forth as tears. I barely heard what Chase was chattering on about. He was excited about finding the book before it was found by someone else or stolen. I was glad we had found it as well. Granny’s last book deserved to be printed. I truly was happy to know her readers would have the end of the story. My feelings had no connection to any of that. I had allowed myself to enjoy Chase’s company way too much. I hadn’t thought ahead when I had allowed myself to fall for him. Now I was paying for the fact that he must leave. This was inevitable. I had blocked out that thought until now.
Chase walked me to the door. He appeared sad to go. He kissed me, lingering on my lips. Finally, he glanced at his watch again and sighed. “I’ve got to go or I’ll miss my flight. I’ll be in touch.” He sprinted down the walk and jumped into his rental car. He waved and I returned his wave with a feeble one of my own.
His car disappeared down the street. I moved in slow motion into the house. The silence was deafening. I plopped into my favorite chair in the living room. I wouldn’t hear from Chase personally again. Just his signature on the royalty checks. It was fun while it lasted.
* * *
The more miles between he and Alex, the heavier Chase’s heart became. Certainly, he was glad to find the manuscript, but that excitement was dampened because he had to leave her. Finally back in his own apartment, he struggled for at least some degree of comfort. His home had never felt so empty, nor had the New York noise seemed so accentuated. He closed his eyes imagining what Alex might be doing right now. Her face wasn’t difficult to conjure in his mind’s eye. He could picture her sitting in that chair in the living room or even standing at the kitchen counter making pancakes.
Had she thought of him since his departure? Would she consider coming to New York to visit? She might enjoy being here for the debut of Miss Olivia’s book. Surely he could convince her to come for that, even if she didn’t want to come for him. He hoped some part of her might come just to see him. Whatever it took, Chase had to see Alex again. In fact, he craved the sound of her voice before he could think of trying to go to sleep tonight. He pulled out his cell phone and scrolled down to her number. His finger hovered above the button. Was he being too pushy? He definitely didn’t want to push her away or seem too eager. Finally, he pushed the send button with as much courage as he could muster.