I stilled. “You’re leaving?”
“Yeah, filming a TV series in Scotland. Contract starts next week.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t reply.
“Anyway, you’re a lifesaver. At least I can stop harassing the airport security trying to find it.” He chuckled. “I’ll text you the address of the house I’m renting. If you can post it as soon as possible, I’ll forever be in your debt.”
“Whatever.”
“Okay then…well, you have a good night. Thanks again.”
The sounds of boarding calls and large crowds echoed down the line, followed by empty silence as Graham hung up.
It wasn’t until after dinner, I’d walked Mom home, and sneaked from my bedroom to see Forrest rather than crawl into bed that I allowed myself to admit I’d shoved Hope’s lace into my pocket instead of giving it to Mom for safekeeping to send.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Hope
* * * * * *
TO HOPE,
Your lace fell out of your pocket again. Seems to be a habit with you. For something that means a lot to you, you don’t take the best care of it. Because of that, I’ve done you a favour to ensure you don’t lose it again.
Enjoy Scotland.
Jacob.
I looked up, doing my best not to hug the handwritten note from the most unlikely of pen pals.
Dad kept staring at me, his arms crossed, forehead furrowed, and a look of wary dislike in his gaze. “Did you and Jacob talk much when you were at Cherry Equestrian?”
Tearing my eyes from his, I hid my desperation to see what Jacob had sent and did my best to act normal. “Not really.” I shrugged, inching toward the staircase of the cute thatched cottage that Dad had rented for the next year. The renovated eighteenth-century three-bedroom cottage was cosy and adorable and quite a shock.
I’d known his agent had put him forward to audition for the lead in a new period drama but didn’t know he’d gotten it. The TV show was open ended, which meant we could be here one season, then two, and three, and…
My shoulders sank.
The chances of riding at Cassie’s horse camp again were slim. Sure, there would be other horses in Scotland…but there would be no Jacob Ren Wild.
No…friend.
“Well, it was nice of him to find your lace. Surprising that he knew what it was.” Dad kept his arms crossed and his stern face on. For some reason, he treated me as if I’d done something wrong.
I looked at the large fireplace with its huge candles and fairy lights decorating the white-washed mantle. “You saw the compass his dad got him. I wanted to show him what reminds me of Mom.”
Dad paused, whatever annoyance he had with me vanished. “Of course, Little Lace. I’m sorry.” Pinching his nose, he came toward me and kissed my head. “It was nice of him to send it so fast.”
I nodded quickly. The long haul flight had been an eternity without my favourite possession. I felt naked and afraid as if any second we would drop out of the sky because I didn’t have Mom’s protection.
Keeko shot from the kitchen, Dad’s ringing phone in her hand. “You left it on the counter, sir.”
Dad moved toward her. “Cheers.” Tapping the screen, he put the phone to his ear. “Murphy speaking. Ah yes, I’m coming now.” Stepping out the warped front door, he waved and latched it behind him.
The moment he was gone, Keeko smiled. “Want me to make you some lunch? Then we can go over your homework and plan next week’s lessons.”
I gave into the urge to hug Jacob’s letter, crushing the plastic postal bag to my chest. I shook with eagerness to see what was inside. “In a bit? I want to check out my room again. Not living in a trailer is awesome!”
“Okay, but just because we’re in a new country doesn’t mean you get away from doing schoolwork.”
“I know.” Spinning in place, I flew up the rustic weathered steps, ducked under a low beam, and dashed into the candy yellow and white bedroom with its four-poster bed and gauzy cream curtains.
My battered and well-used suitcase had already been unpacked. My clothes hung in the pretty wardrobe, my books waiting to be read on the side table.
Ignoring all of it, I threw myself onto the puffy mattress, sank into the softest comforter, and tipped out the rest of Jacob’s package.
Bubble wrap didn’t stand a chance against my eager fingers as I tore at the sticky tape and gasped as a silver chain slithered onto the bed, followed by the heavy thud of a finely scrolled locket.
It was the biggest locket I’d ever seen.
Round and polished and perfect.
The fine engravings of filigree and flowers glinted in the sunlight as I tossed away the empty packaging and snatched the locket as if someone would take it away from me at any moment.