In the meantime, I was doing what I always did: burying my face in books. I’d be taking the Rhode Island bar exam in February, which was only a few months away. I needed to make sure I passed so I could find a job here and get my life on track once and for all.
The yard sale earned me just over three-thousand dollars, which was about a fourth of the cost of the roof replacement, but it was better than nothing.
It was too cold now anyway to start those repairs. Hopefully, I would find a way to save more money by the time I scheduled the roof work in the spring.
My life as of late was a solitary one. Aside from occasional visits to Bailey in Providence, I spent my days alone, studying and slowly fixing up the house. My morning routine was breakfast, followed by reading law books and quizzing myself. Then I’d break for lunch and coffee before spending the afternoons doing house stuff. I’d follow that up with a daily trip to the market for fresh produce before returning home to cook something for dinner that would leave me with leftovers for lunch the next day. Then, I’d spend the rest of the evening setting up my planners or watching some TV. Repeat.
November was always a beautiful time on the bay. Even though it was too cold to enjoy the water, the last of the fall foliage season was in full swing. The gorgeous orange, yellow, and red leaves on the trees surrounding the property and across Narragansett were stunning.
Lately, I’d been throwing on a heavy coat and sitting out back with my afternoon coffee each day. The sunshine helped to offset the otherwise brisk air. I’d take my binoculars outside to admire the foliage across the bay. The trees over there were even more colorful than the ones on this side. And yes, of course, each and every time my eyes passed over Leo’s old house, I would think of him. That never changed.
This particular afternoon of leaf peeping, though, was unlike any of the others. As I held the binoculars to my eyes and admired the trees in the distance, I nearly dropped them at the sight of someone staring back at me. At first I thought I was hallucinating.
This can’t be.
I am absolutely seeing things.
But then, holding his own binoculars to his eyes, he waved.
This time my binoculars did slip out of my grasp and land on the grass below. My hand went to my chest as I tried to contain my pounding heart.
I ran into the house, turned on the sink, and splashed my face with water. I had to be seeing things that weren’t really there.
Then my phone chimed. I looked down at the screen to find a text.
Leo: Where did you go? Come back.
Oh my God.
What. Is. Happening?
With shaky hands, I picked up the phone and typed.
Felicity: I thought I was hallucinating.
Leo: It’s me, Felicity. You’re not seeing things.
Felicity: I know that now. I just don’t understand what you’re doing here.
Leo: I have a lot to explain, don’t I?
Felicity: Uh, yes.
Leo: Can I come across the bay to see you?
My hands continued to shake as I typed.
Felicity: OMG. What are you doing here???
Leo: It’s better if I explain in person, don’t you think?
Rather than respond, I just stared at the screen. The dots danced as he typed.
Leo: I’ll take your silence as a yes?
When I still didn’t respond, he sent another text.
Leo: Is it okay if I come to you now?
I finally typed a response.
Felicity: Sorry. Yes. I’m just in shock.
Leo: Heading over.
I had no clue what to do with myself as I waited for him to arrive. I grabbed a towel and started wiping the table to distract myself from my nerves. There wasn’t even anything to wipe.
When the doorbell rang, my pulse raced even faster.
I put one foot in front of the other and opened the door to find my long-lost love towering over me. My heart leaped.
Leo wore a black peacoat, and his hair was a bit longer than the last time I’d seen him, the scruff on his chin a bit more grown out. He smelled amazing, just like always, and I couldn’t believe he was standing in front of me in the flesh. Why is he here? I didn’t dare even let myself hope.
“Oh my God, you’re shaking,” he said, squeezing my arms and sending shivers through my body.
“Leo, what are you doing here?”
He let go of me and flashed a hesitant smile. “Surprise?”
“I would have loved a warning.”
“We’ve never been good at those, have we?” He smiled into the silence. “Are you going to invite me in?”
Shaking my head, I stepped aside. “Oh. Of course.”
His eyes wandered over me. “You look absolutely gorgeous, Felicity.”
I looked down at myself. I was still wearing my bulky black parka and jeans.