A large red brick chimney rose over the roofline, and a long front walkway of matching brick tied everything together, painting a homey picture. Sprawling live oak trees flanked each side of the house, adding character and grace to an already perfect picture.
A wave of envy pierced her as she imagined settling into a home like this, knowing it could never happen. People like her didn’t end up with the fairy-tale ending, the handsome prince, or the happily ever after.
Climbing from the car, she walked to the front door, running her hand along the balustrade surrounding the porch. The white paint was starting to show a bit of age, its creamy patina adding another layer of warmth to the tableau tugging at her heartstrings. She was going to miss sweet tea on Saturday afternoons with Ms. Patti. They’d made it their own personal ritual, a way to catch up on everything going on in the office during the week, and spend a little quality time together.
“Don’t just stand there, girl, come on in.” Douglas Boudreau held the front door open and motioned her inside. Towering over her by several inches, and built like a mountain, most people were intimated by the blunt older man, but she’d found him to be a pussycat. A gentle giant with a heart of gold.
“Thanks, Douglas. I’m here to see Ms. Patti.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, watching the blush creep into his face at her gesture of affection. Douglas always made her feel welcomed and appreciated in his home, and from the stories she’d heard about the Boudreaus when she’d first moved to Shiloh Springs, knew he didn’t suffer fools, and was a fierce protector of his family, especially the boys they’d welcomed in their home over the years. She was going to miss him.
“She’s in the kitchen. You can head on back.” He placed a meaty hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze before heading out the front door. Steeling herself, she headed through the hallway to the kitchen and paused in the opening.
“Ms. Patti, I—”
“Sit down, hon. We need to talk.” Although Ms. Patti’s back was to her, Serena read the tension in the way she held her shoulders, and the ramrod straightness of her spine. Heck, she hadn’t even told Ms. Patti why she needed to speak with her when she’d called, but somehow the older woman knew. And she wasn’t a happy camper.
“I’m sorry for showing up early like this. But, I wanted—no, needed to tell you in person I’m leaving. I’m sorry for the short notice.”
“Serena, sit down before you fall down. I knew something was wrong when you called last night. I didn’t want to push, figured you tell me when you were ready. Now, you show up and tell me you’re leaving?”
Serena felt lower than a caterpillar crawling under a doorframe. The hurt in Ms. Patti’s voice, the disappointment in her face nearly undid her resolve. She wanted to stay, but that option was closed. If she stayed, not only would her uncle find her, she’d be putting her friends’ lives in jeopardy. Big Jim Berkley wouldn’t care about collateral damage, not if it meant catching up and eliminating Serena. As far as he was concerned, she was a traitor to her family, and deserved to be put down like a mongrel dog. The threats he’d spewed in the courtroom after the reading of the verdict still rang in her ears, and she knew to the depths of her soul he meant every word.
“Ms. Patti, you know I’ve loved working in Shiloh Springs, and you’ve been the best boss I’ve ever had, but it’s time for me to head out.”
“What are your plans, hon? You know I’ll give you a reference. You’ve been an asset to the office, at least until you’ve thrown this monkey wrench into the mix. I can tell something’s wrong.” Ms. Patti placed her hand atop Serena’s, leaning in closer. “You can talk to me, you know, right? Anything you say, I’ll never repeat. You’re white as a sheet, and shaking like a leaf. Tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll fix it.”
Serena gave a shaky laugh. Ms. Patti did love to fix things for the people she loved. If anybody had a problem, all they had to do was tell Ms. Patti and poof, problem solved. Only this wasn’t a problem she could wave her magic wand at and make it go away. So, she did the only thing she could do. She lied.
“Nothing’s wrong. I told you in the beginning, when you hired me, I’m a nomad. A gypsy who doesn’t put down roots. Staying in one place too long gives me the heebie-jeebies. My itchy feet tell me it’s time to move along, start a new adventure.”
Ms. Patti studied her intently, her stare seeming to see straight into her soul. The feeling she was being weighed in the balance. After several excruciating long seconds, Ms. Patti smiled.
“There are a lot of ways to curb wanderlust that don’t involve uprooting your life. Taking a vacation. Going on an adventure. Start a new hobby. Don’t lie to yourself or to me about why you’re leaving. You’re scared. Running from something or somebody in your past. I’ve known it from the start. I recognized all the signs and hired you anyway, even with your lack of experience because I could tell, deep down, you needed someplace to call home.”
Serena opened her mouth to deny Ms. Patti’s words, then closed it because she was right. She didn’t know who or what Serena was running from, but the desire to find
