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

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

licked my

snorted, "He thinks you can't live without

at the moonlight,

was still dark when I woke up again, and the call had ended. Fanny had left me a message. [No one is irreplaceable.] Yes, I could

smile and about to drift back to sleep when my phone buzzed with a new message, Who could be messaging me at this hour? Dopened my eyes again, and to my

today after all this time? And he

bed, opened the door, and walked to the backyard, stopping under the oak tree. That was when I

out with a backpack slung over his

of the night and, without a word, continued to drag his suitcase

you going?"

town," he answered without stopping, and

there, dazed, before walking toward his