“What happened with your guy? How did it come to an end?”
“To be honest, I don’t know if things did end with Rad—that’s his name. I feel like we’re still unfinished business, like we’re in limbo. I suppose that’s why I can’t seem to move on. There’s this connection between us that will probably always be there. Even if I never see him again.”
“Like the rope between the ship and the mooring?”
“Exactly like that.”
Before I knew it, we were barreling our way toward spring, and I got an e-mail from Dale with the date of their return. I was sad to be leaving this beautiful house and especially to be parting ways with Apple, whom I adored. Still, I knew how lucky I was to have spent the winter here. After the first hike with Gabe that day, the anxiety about my writing had lifted, and I was churning out some decent work. I had sent a handful of short stories to Angie, and his response was encouraging. I didn’t want to think too much about what I would do next—where I would live and how to pay my bills. I just hoped that my luck would hold out and something would turn up.
One day, Gabe came over, and I could tell there was something on his mind. We were lounging on the couch by the fire, with Apple bounding between us in excited bursts, when I decided to bring it up.
“Gabe? You’ve been so quiet today. Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine, Audrey,” he said. “I’ve just been thinking. You know Dale and Graham are coming home soon.”
I nodded.
“What are you planning on doing when they’re back?”
“I suppose I should start house hunting. I’ve been careful with the money they left me, so I should have enough to rent a place for the next few months. I was also thinking of getting a job in town. I saw a sign posted at the veterinarian—they’re looking for a new receptionist. Anyway, I’m thinking of applying.”
“So you want to stay here? In Delta, I mean.”
“Yeah. This town has been good for me. I can drive now, and I’m learning to cook. I’m at least halfway through writing my first book. Plus,” I smiled, “I can crack open a chestnut with one hand and pull the shell away clean. How many people do you know who can manage something like that?”
A soft smile played on his lips, and I knew he was thinking back to the day we met when he was selling chestnuts at the market.
“All in all,” I continued, “my toolbox is looking pretty healthy these days.”
“Is that so?” He raised his eyebrows, and I blushed, realizing the suggestive nature of that line.
“Anyway,” I said quickly, “I know it sounds really cliché, but you know when people talk about finding themselves? Well, I’m starting to get where they’re coming from. So in answer to your question, yes, I think I’ll stay put—unless you have another suggestion?”
“I do,” he said quietly.
“Yeah?” I looked at him, surprised.
He nodded. “Something I’ve been thinking about.”
“Okay, let’s hear it, then.”
“Well, it’s been ages since I’ve had any time off. I could do with a vacation, and I thought—” He looked a bit embarrassed. “Well, this is where it gets really cliché . . .”
“Go on. No stalling, Gabe.”
“I thought we could go on a road trip. Maybe head out to the West Coast.”
“A road trip,” I said slowly. My mind shot back to that rainy day when I interviewed Rad at Callisto. I remembered how he told me his mother had planned a road trip across the States—one she never took. I shrugged it off as another strange coincidence.
“We could take turns driving,” Gabe continued. “I have a bit of money saved up, and Alaska can wait a few months. We can get a tent, pitch it where we want. Or stay in cheap motels—twin beds of course.” He was talking quickly now.
“Gabe, it’s okay. You don’t have to convince me. I like the idea.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “Yeah? Really?”
“Yeah, I think it will be fun.”
He leaped to his feet. “We could visit Reno, swim in Lake Tahoe—Yosemite has some great hiking trails. I mean, there’s so much to see and do!”
He looked almost like a kid, and I loved seeing him so animated. His excitement was contagious, and soon I was on my feet and we were doing a ridiculous impromptu dance around the room and laughing like children. I felt wild and free, like a stringless kite. My heart was soaring, and in that moment, it was like I had finally broken free from the shackles of my past. Rad, Ana, the lie—I had stepped out of the shadow and into the light.
We stopped dancing and collapsed back onto the couch, a little out of breath. Gabe kissed me, and this time, I didn’t pull away.
We spent the remainder of the days leading up to Graham and Dale’s return meticulously planning our road trip. We kept finding new things we wanted to see or do, adding detours to our already packed itinerary.
“We’re never going to make it to L.A. at this rate.”
“Does that matter?” asked Gabe.
“I suppose not.”
“Though I really do want to go to the Margaret Herrick Library,” he said.
“That’s the nerd in you talking.”
“They have the original screenplay for The Godfather,” he grinned. “The actual first draft. And they have the original notes and sketches from The Shining by Stanley Kubrick himself.”
There was a look of wonder in his eyes that went straight to my heart. On impulse, I grabbed at the sides of his face and kissed him firmly on the mouth.
“What was that for?”
“Do I need a reason?”
Before long, it was the night before Graham and Dale were due to arrive, and I spent it packing up my things. Gabe was out getting some last-minute supplies for our trip. We planned to stay at his place the following night before leaving on our big road trip first thing in the morning. I smiled, thinking about the big adventure ahead.
“I’ll miss you,” I said to Apple, who wagged her tail at me anxiously. I picked her up and gave her furry neck a kiss. “I’ll come back and visit you lots.”
I went to put her down when I heard my phone beep. It was a text from Lucy.
FaceTime?
Sure.
I realized it had been ages since I last spoke to her. I hadn’t even told her about the road trip.
I found my laptop lying on the couch and pulled up the screen. A few moments later, Lucy was there, grinning at me from the other side of the world.
“Hey, stranger,” she said.
“Hi! How have you been?”
“Great. How about you?”
“Really good!”
“How’s Gabe?”
“He’s doing great too.”
I was just about to bring up the road trip when she blurted out, “Anyway, I have news! Big news!”
“Oh, what is it?”
“Well, guess who turned up on our doorstep today?”
“I have no idea, Lucy.”
“Guess!”
I sighed. “Okay, I know you’re dying to tell me, so just come out with already.”
“Okay, fine,” she said, in a singsong voice. She paused for dramatic effect. “It was Candela!”