No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Holding the phone, I hesitated for a solid two seconds, wondering what Conrad wanted from me this time.

Fanny nudged her chin at me, signaling to pick it up.

"Felicia," came Conrad's voice from the other end, calling out to me.

"What's up?" My tone was as distant and cool as ever.

Even though things had ended badly with Ernest, there was no going back with Conrad. So every time he reached out or came close, I instinctively raised my defenses. "I'm back," he said, his words carrying a weight as if he had returned from a great ordeal.

"Yeah, I know," Dustin had already filled me in.

There was a pause on Conrad's end, "Can we meet? If you don't want to see me alone, you can come over to the house. My folks would really love to see you."

I could almost see Herschel and Jacqueline greeting me at the airport, their concern for me was undeniable.

"There's something I need to tell you," Conrad broke the silence, "It's about Jefferson, and... it involves Ernest too."

hitched. I was done with Ernest. Whatever involved him, how could

fleeting. I found myself agreeing, "Okay, I'll come

she wants to make you some pot roast when you come over," Conrad's voice brightened with anticipation.

said it's important, also

You're

on purpose; she knew I

about the Herschel and Jacqueline. Jacqueline said she'd

snorted, clearly

their estate, let alone a pot roast.

made me revisit my doubts, but Herschel and Jacqueline had explained everything. They were so open about it, dwelling

slimmer than winning the lottery," Fanny

said they knew about our blood types, and so did

engagement was partly

and Conrad hesitates even for a

our great plains road