No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 48



I had stayed there for several days and hadn't seen Ethel's kids come by to visit her. I didn't pry into it. It seemed Ethel treated me and Ernest like her own children.

One evening, while getting ready to sleep, I got a call from Fanny, asking when I planned to return.

"I haven't decided yet," I told her. "I'm genuinely happy in this little neighborhood. It's been the happiest days since my parents passed away."

I even considered extending my vacation until I got tired of being there.

"Are you sure it's not because you can't bear to leave Ernest?" Fanny teased.

Thinking of the few but heart-fluttering encounters with Ernest, I admitted, "It's not about not being able to leave, but my heart feels alive when he's around."

Ms. Hudson has quite the healing touch," Fanny

and after a few seconds of silence, Fanny continued, "Has that jerk

my

"He thinks you can't

Looking at the moonlight, I whispered,

had ended. Fanny had left me a message.

with a new message, Who could be messaging me at this hour? Dopened my eyes again, and to my surprise, it was

remembered me today after all this time? And he assumed I was throwing

and turned off my phone. But sleep had eluded me, so I got out of bed, opened the door, and walked to the backyard, stopping under the oak tree. That was when I heard the creak

out with a backpack slung over

middle of the night and, without a

going?" I

town," he answered without stopping, and soon,

before