Page 8 of Love at First Write

Don’t get me wrong, I love our small town. But I do have to wonder what’s going through the minds of all of those people who drive in from Austin for the Bluebonnet Festival just so they can take pictures of their kids in a bluebonnet field. I mean, they have to drive past countless fields of bluebonnets to get to our bluebonnet fields. Why don’t they stop and take pictures closer to Austin?

But who am I to question the tourists who drive out here and spend their good money in our tiny town? The ice cream shop wanted to offer ice cream sandwiches made with locally baked cookies. So, I’ve been working with Olive to make an oatmeal toffee cookie for the ice cream sandwiches. They are amazing. I think they are going to end up on the menu full-time at the ice cream shop. You’ll have to try one the next time you’re home.

Sorry to “talk” your ear off. As always, stay safe,

Kelsie

Kelsie,

I’m glad I was stateside when your last package came in and I got to try the almond toffee cookie. It was amazing. Definitely a winner. I don’t know who Olive is, but there’s no way her cookies are as good as yours.

I loved hearing about the Bluebonnet Festival in Saddle Creek. I’m sorry I missed it. Maybe next year I’ll have leave and can make it.

As much as I’m enjoying the cookies--I don’t want you to feel like you have to keep baking for us. But I do love hearing from you. Would it be weird if I asked you to email me? Snail mail is so slow and your letters are the highlight of my month.

If it’s weird, I won’t ask again, but if you want to email me. You can reach me online at:

[email protected]

chapter four

Kelsie

Three months later…

“Are you sure about this, Kels?” Gracie asks.

“Yeah, I mean you wouldn’t have to stay for the wedding. We don’t even need your help setting up the cake,” Caroline adds.

“Don’t you want to see your friend, Leah?”

“She’s actually in the hospital. Evidently had an emergency appendectomy.”

“So, she’s just missing her brother’s wedding?” Caroline asks. “Wow. That would not fly in my family.”

“Even if you were in the hospital?” Gracie asks.

Caroline just shakes her head.

“Well, whatever. I’m not going to get to see Leah. And the whole town is gonna be at the wedding, I’m sure. I just need to get out of town.” I shiver, trying to rid myself of the restlessness that’s settled over me the last few weeks.

“I think what you actually need is closure,” Gracie says.

Caroline nods. “Oh yeah. The problem is that you never had resolution with the Ethan stuff.”

“Well, sure. Closure would be nice.” A man who made promises and sweeping statements like ‘you’re the reason I’m coming home’ and was true to his word would be nice too. But this was the real world.

“What do you think I should do to get that elusive closure? Go talk to the actual Tommy and break up with him? Because I’m pretty sure his wife wouldn’t like that.”

Gracie rolls her eyes. “No, I’m obviously not suggesting you do that. But maybe you should reach out to Ethan⁠—”

“We’ve been over this. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt after y’all insisted I read that first email. Coming home to me, my ass. Do you see him anywhere? Because I sure as hell don’t.”

“There could be a very good reason why he hasn’t made it here yet,” Caroline says softly.

“If he’s dead, I’ll forgive him then. Other than that, I don’t want to hear it.”

“What about his promise to continue emailing you? What has he said in those?” Gracie asks.