Forty-Six

Bree didn’t go far. In fact, she only went two blocks away and then, seeing a parking space, pulled in, turned off the car, and leaned back. She didn’t know where she was going, only that she knew she had to go. She had to drive somewhere. But where?

For the first time in her life, she had no pre-planned path to follow. Yes, she would return to Spring Falls, at least to keep her promise, but it didn’t mean she would return to live there. She and Paul had left for a reason, and she wasn’t sure she could go back now, even though it was almost thirty years later.

Bree had always known what she wanted to do with her life and how to do it. Although life hadn’t been exactly how she thought it would turn out, it had been close enough to what she had planned. She and Paul had decided to build a life together. He would do the work he loved, and she would write books. That had happened. And now that was over. At least the Paul part. She wasn’t sure about the writing. She could stop and do something else.

Paul’s life insurance and pension would take care of her for life, just as he planned. Besides, she had her own money. So what did she want? Who was she without Paul and her plans?

Maybe my plan is not to plan, at least for a few days, Bree thought. The idea made her feel a little giddy. No plans? On purpose? The idea was intoxicating. So drive, but where? Closing her eyes, she waited for inspiration to strike.

And then she heard Paul’s voice in her head telling her to go where they had planned to go before he got sick. She knew exactly where he meant, but could she go there without him? Or would it be too painful?

Then she remembered what Grace had said, to live life for both her and Paul. Taking out her phone, she made a call. Yes, they had an opening, a last-minute cancellation. It was a sign. She would go.

Putting the destination on her phone, Bree smiled to herself. Yes, she was going back the way she and Cindy had come, but this time, on her own, and this time, she would let life lead her instead of death.

In Spring Falls, Ron was looking at houses, something he never thought he would do. It hadn’t been in his plans for their life. He had moved April away from Spring Falls because he wanted a life that was only theirs. Now he would have to do something he thought he had prevented for good. He would have to share April with others.

Ron knew April didn’t see it that way. She saw it as making a new life for themselves. They were childless now. They would have time to get to know each other again.

“People to hang out with,” she had said.

“I have people to hang out with,” Ron said. “I have work.”

“But I don’t,” April said. “And I want that now.”

They were in Judith’s living room, being as quiet as possible. Although Judith had assured them she couldn’t hear anything once she was in her bedroom with the TV on, Ron didn’t put it past her to be listening in. Still, he knew it didn’t matter. April would tell her what they discussed anyway. And no matter how hard he tried to get April to come with him back to the motel room he rented, she had refused.

Refused! He still couldn’t believe it. His wife, who had always done what he asked, had refused? She was right. It was a whole new world. He resisted hitting the steering wheel of the car in his frustration. She was his wife. She couldn’t refuse. But she did.

“I need to know you are serious about a new life first,” April had said. “I want one and I want you to be part of it.”

His “what about my work?” complaint didn’t make a dent in her resolve.

“You travel a lot for it anyway,” April said. “Make arrangements for the other times. Or quit. Or stay in Silver Lake and visit me when you can.”

Ron’s head almost exploded when April said those words, but he kept himself calm. It was what happened back at the house that had brought them to this place, that had made her choose Judith and the blasted Ruby Sisters over him.

He had to win her back. So Ron had smiled and said that he would do as she asked. He’d figure out work. He’d get a house for them and support her in the decision to do something else with her life.

“Just don’t leave me,” he begged. And he meant it.

And that was why he was looking at houses. To rent. April wanted to buy something, but he didn’t want to wait for that. He wanted her back in his arms and his home again as soon as possible. They would keep their home in Silver Lake. Instead of traveling from there, he’d travel from Spring Falls, and their home in Silver Lake would be one of his stops.

Although he didn’t like the idea of April getting too independent, a part of him realized that her independence would also mean his. She would be less worried about where he was going and when he’d be home. And when he was home, she would be all his. And when he wasn’t home, he’d know exactly where she was. She’d be happy. He would be happy for her. That would work.

April said she wanted to live in town so she could walk to the gallery, because yes, she intended to work there. Maybe even take a few art classes at the community college.

Even though it freaked him out to think about her doing all these things without him, the reminder that they had met at the community college made him smile.

“I fell in love with you the minute you turned and looked at me, April. And I love you more each year. So yes, I’ll do whatever you want me to do so you will be happy.”

She had smiled back at him, her warm brown eyes sparkling, and said, “Thank you,” and then snuggled into his arms as they sat together on the couch.

His little wren was returning to the nest. Now he just had to find the perfect place for them, and all would be well.