“Not so fast. The doctors want me to stay in jouleston another two weeks. It everything checks out at the follow–up, then I’m officially recovered,” Cindy explained.
Arthur gave a quiet nod. He couldn’t stop looking at her, his eyes moving over her face like he was memorizing it, full of sadness and regret.
cindy took his hand, the one wearing the watch, and gently unclasped it with delicate fingers, revealing the raw scat beneath..
Arthur flinched, the sight of his worst self laid bare. He tried to jerk his hand away, but Cindy’s grip held firm, her gaze so intense it felt like it was scorching his very bones.
“Why would you do this to yourself?” she asked.
“Because I hate myself,” Arthur said softly. “All that pain you went through was bremse of me
“B
Cody smiled and let go of his wrist.
“I don’t hate you, Arthur,” Cindy said with conviction. “Those live years weren’t just about trying to eam your forgiveness. I was grieving Winter. From the Forsyths‘ perspective, I probably should’ve died that day. Maybe the right choice would’ve been to go with Winter instead of carrying on alone.
“But when I nearly died on that operating table, I saw Winter. She was there, holding my hand as we crossed this vast river together. The water rose to my waist, then my chest, but didn’t fight it. Tlnew she’d never let me drown
“And when we finally made it to the other side, she muttered to me, “You’re too early. You promised to live focus both.”
In all those eight years, it was the most comforting dream she’d ever had her closest friend meeting her at death’s door, guiding her like a compass, showing her the way back home.
winter had always been a kind soul. If Cindy had been the one to die that day, she wouldn’t have held any grudge against Winter, just as she never blame her
Tears rolled down Cindy’s cheeks. She wiped them away and turned to Arthur, who seemed disoriented as tears coursed down his face.
e knew Winter could
Do you understand now? I’m not just holding on for myself. I’m living for Winter, Celeste, and Sylvan, too. Arthur, do you really think Winter would want to see you go? I forgive you. So, stay alive, alright? Goodbye, Arthur,” she said, giving a small nod
sylvan flexed his fingers repeatedly while watching Cindy retum, her eyes puffy and red–rimmed. He was dangerously close to jumping out and knocking Arthur
Cindy understood that his maturity was often surface–deep. Beneath it, he remained as quick–tempered as ever.
“You’ve hit him pleny. He’s still hurting, just cut him some slack,” she said wearly.
Sylvan pulled a face and muttered, “Who are you detending here? I’m supposed to be y–your boyfriend!”
“Yes, that’s definitely you, Sylvan Leigh. As if it could be anyone else,” Cindy said, a faint smile touching her lips as she took in his sulky profile.
“It’s the I’m Mommy’s boyfriend!” Celeste declared, thrusting her hand in the air.
She clearly had no clue what the word meant. Sylvan swept her up and gave her a playful noogle.
“Nah, that’s my role! Forever and always. You want to take my spot? No way!” he take–growled.
“Celeste, you’re my sweetheart,” Cindy said, amused by their back–and–forth. “Believe me, being a boyfriend is hard work. Let Uncle Sylvan deal with that.”
“Celeste said, dragging out the word.
“Flor,”
“We should enroll Celeste in preschool Maybe start looking once spring begins?” Sylvan asked as he drove.
“They don’t accept students mid–year. We’ll wait until we’re back in the South, “Cindy replied.
she could handle the cold, but that didn’t mean she didn’t yearn for spring. The warmth of the South called in her heart. It was where she’d grown up, after all. Cindy had only come to Jorleston for college and stayed because of Artur. Now that she had a choice, there was no way she was staying here.
Six months had passed in the blink of an eye.
“Candy, you have to come,” Stella urged, her voice heavy with desperation. “I don’t have many friends. We won’t even till a table it you don’t show up!” Cindy, who had been showing Celeste the basics of watercolor painting, chuckled softly. “No way. You’ve never had trouble nuaking friends.” “Just ignore her,” Sylvan mustered, exasperated as he pried a block from Celeste’s mouth.
out at him, unafraid.
He shot the little girl a from look and pointed a finger at her in woning, but she past stuck her tongue out at h
you tie going, Oudy?” he asked
“Amit Stella!” Celeste grabbed the phone in a flash, her voice bubbling with excitement. “You’re getting married? Who’s the guy?
Stelia still coudder Lelieve she’d fallen for a man who thrived on gossip and petty draina, but Celeste’s giddiness was impossible to resist.
Tir’s Max! How about bring my flower eld, Crce?” she asked.
“What does the Nower girl get out of this?
That came from Sylvan
“Sylvan!” Stella groaned. “Most cousins would be bending over backward to help their le cousin out, and you’re out here hustling Celeste for my cash?
“Two grand, “Sylvan said flatly. “Take it or leave it. No money, no flower girl.”
Stella clenched her jaw. “Finel Fine! You drive a hard bargain! I’ll just send Max off to sell a kidney. He’s flat broke and still trying to scrape together his mortgage
“Save the pity party,” Sylvan quickdy passed the phone back to Celeste. “Say, “Thanks for the spending money, Aunt Stella,” and “Congrats on the wedding ” Celeste dutifully parroted the words while Stella, through gritted teeth, assured her she’d be the prettiest flower girl before promptly ending the call Cindy could only laugh, feeling helpless, she wasn’t sure if it was some natural Leigh family charm, but somehow, Celeste had tumed into a little firecracker, though Cindy had raised her to be quiet and well–mannered
way more than he deserves with her as a flower girl.
She pressed a kiss to Celeste’s plump little cheek. “Go for it then. With how gorgeous you are, Max is getting way more
Sylvan had purchased a home in Yverton, and Celeste settled into the neighborhood preschool without a hitch. Even though she was a year behind the other kids, she never showed an ounce of tear, barreling through life with enthusiasm
Every so often, when Cindy looked at her, she’d find herself remembering a face that had grown hazier with time.
