by C. M. Albert
ONE OF THE hardest things he’d ever had to do was say no to Rosalie. It fucking gutted Zade when she called him out of the blue the day before she was supposed to fly to California and asked if he wanted to come stay the night. Considering the fact that the last time he’d seen her or talked to her she’d asked him to let her go, he would’ve moved mountains to get one last evening with her and make things right. But he was the only surgeon on call, and with Dr. Hill being away for his daughter’s wedding, there was absolutely no other doctor who could fill his shift. And that was one of the pitfalls of being a doctor in such a small town.
He called her from the hospital when he had a break between patients, including checking in on Annalise. He was pleasantly surprised with her body’s healing progress, even though the young woman was struggling greatly with the emotional side of losing part of her limb. She cried out often from the intense pain she felt in her phantom limb and had nightmares about the accident. She would definitely need both physical and psychiatric therapy when she was released to deal with all the changes in her life.
“Hey,” he said, trying to mask the exhaustion from his voice when he called Rosalie back after his rounds.
“Hey,” Rosalie whispered back.
“I’m really sorry I couldn’t be there with you tonight.”
“It’s okay. I probably need to get to bed early anyway. I have a busy morning and then Brecken’s driving me to Charlotte to catch my flight. It’s going to be a long day.”
“You know I’d do anything to be there with you tonight if I could, right?”
“It’s okay. I’m probably not the best company anyway. Brecken was supposed to be home for dinner, but he never showed up. I’m praying he’s back in the morning to drive me to Charlotte.”
“I’m sure it must’ve been something important that’s keeping him away,” Zade said, but he wasn’t so sure after rescuing his ass the other day. “Has he at least texted you?”
“Yeah. He came up with some bullshit story about needing to get some supplies for the café from a wholesaler in Asheville; and apparently, it couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”
“Why do you say it’s bullshit?” Zade asked. But even he could feel the stink all over it.
“What restaurant wholesaler is open this late at night? And why would he have to pick it up personally? Besides, I’m intuitive, remember? I can tell when he’s lying.”
“Well, I’m glad you at least heard from him.”
There was a long, awkward silence—the first they’d ever had in the dozens of phone calls and FaceTime chats they’d shared. Zade cleared his throat. “Rosalie, I’m really sorry about how things went down the other day. I never meant to hurt you.”
He heard a small hitch in Rosalie’s breathing before she answered. “I know that now, Zade. I’m sorry about how I handled things.”
“I just hated to see you so hurt. I’d never intentionally do anything to hurt you, Rosalie. Especially after everything you’ve been through.”
“I know,” Rosalie said quietly. “The truth is, I’m scared. Terrified actually.”
“How come?”
“Because of everything I’ve been through. I’ve never had a man see me the way you do, Zade. Accept me for who I am and not want to change me.”
“Why would I want to change perfection?”
Rosalie snorted, and Zade found it absolutely adorable. “My God . . . even your snort is sexy as hell.”
“Stop it!” she said and laughed genuinely for the first time on their call. “I’m far from perfect, but I’m figuring out what I need to do differently.”
“Differently for what?”
“So I can love you back. All in, the way you deserve. The way I deserve. I’ve never, not once in my life, had that kind of love, Zade. And it scares the bejesus out of me.”
Zade grinned from ear to ear. “But you want to fall in love with me still? Even though you’re moving? Does that mean you’ve forgiven me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Zade. I’m sorry I overreacted when you did nothing but accept me despite my own indiscretions.”
“Our indiscretions aren’t who we are, Rosalie. They’re usually just who we are in one moment of time when we’re in pain. That’s not who I am anymore. And I know that’s not who you are. I wish I could take it back, though.”
“Yeah, I kinda wish you could, too. But there’s usually a lesson in there somewhere,” Rosalie teased.
“I think my lesson was that good things don’t come easy. They’re worth waiting for. And they’re worth fighting for. You were worth the wait, Rosalie. And I’ll fight every damn day for you,” he said, his voice betraying him by breaking as he held back his emotions.
“Hey, doc?”
“Yeah?”
“Do me a favor and tie your shoes for me before I leave.”
“What?” he asked, handing Zada the patient files she was reaching for in his office. She closed the door quietly on the way out so he could turn his attention back to Rosalie. “Why?”
“Because I don’t want to risk you falling for anyone else while I’m gone.”
Zade burst out laughing. “Did you really just pull out a cheesy pick-up line for me?”
“I may have,” she said, laughing in return.
“There is no other woman in Arden’s Glen, or the entire world for that matter, who could hold a candle to you, Rosalie. You are one of a kind.”
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
“It’s the very best thing,” he said. “Even if there was no gravity on earth, I’d still manage to fall for you. And only you.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” she said. “Do I need to go get some crackers, though?”
“Crackers? For what?”
“We have an overabundance of cheese right now between the two of us.”
Zade chuckled. “I’m going to miss you, Rosalie.”
“I’m going to miss you, too, doctor.”
“Promise you’ll come back to Arden’s Glen for routine checkups?”
“Is that what they’re calling it these days?”
“I won’t be able to go that long without seeing you,” he said gruffly. The thought of her being on the other side of the country crushed him. He didn’t have a game plan, didn’t know how they were going to make things work . . . he just knew he missed her already and she hadn’t even left yet. Suddenly, staying in Arden’s Glen without Rosalie seemed like the very worst idea he’d ever had.
“Good luck out there,” he said. “You’re going to knock their socks off.”
“Thanks,” she said, yawning. “I better go, though. I’ll call you when I get settled in.”
“I love you, Crackers,” he said lightly.
He could hear the smile in her voice when she answered. “I’m falling for you, too, Cheeseball.”
He knew it was all she could give him right now, and he’d take it.
SHE’D HAD NO time to say goodbye to Dez or even talk to her about what she knew, and that ate at Rosalie. So when she was on the nearly five-hour flight to California, she wrote her friend a letter.
Dear Dez,
I’m not really sure where to start with this, other than to let you know that Zade shared with me your history together. Given the debacle with Mitch last winter, you can imagine my embarrassment when I learned that, once again, I was interested in a man who crossed paths with you first.
It wouldn’t be that bad, except you’re a good friend now, and that made it a little more difficult for me to come to terms with. That, and the fact that I’m falling for him. Really falling for him.
I’m learning not to run from my feelings, but to face them and not be afraid. So I wanted to tell you that what happened in the past between you and Zade is in the past. I won’t be all weird about it if you won’t. I know that everything happens for a reason, and the fact that you found your happily-ever-after with the man of your dreams is an inspiration that maybe I’ll find mine too.
That maybe I already have.
You know I don’t have many real friends, so I’m terrible at all of this. But I want to thank you for being there for me this past year, and for introducing me to Zade in the first place. Most of all, I want to thank you for reminding me I’m worthy of the love we could build together.
I don’t know what the future will hold with me in California and him in North Carolina. But for the first time, I’m not scared or distrustful. I’m hopeful.
Something tells me I’ll be visiting Arden’s Glen a lot, so I can’t wait to catch up again in person and give you the hug I meant to give you today before I left.
Take care of that little baby you’re growing, and tell him Auntie Rosie says hello!
Till next time,
Rosalie
When she was done writing her letter to Dez, she sealed it and tucked it in her purse. Then she pulled out the box Agnes had given her and opened it, gently lifting the stack of letters from within. She untied the old string and marveled at the soft, textured feel of the paper as she held a piece of Arden’s Glen’s history in her hands. She should be working on her first assignment for Mystic Mysteries, but the mystery in her hometown was tugging at her harder. She needed answers.
My Dearest Arden,
I know you asked me not to contact you by letter anymore, saying it was too risky. But I can’t stop thinking of you, mi amor. I will hide this in the spot where I first laid eyes on your beautiful face, at the entrance to the apple orchard, near the white picket fence in the old rotted trunk where you tied your horse, Milly.
Rosalie nearly gasped out loud when the image of a man and woman holding hands in the apple orchard on the Vega farm came into clear view. He was handsome, with sharp cheekbones like Inez, a descendent of his. The same brown skin, the same jet black hair. He was fit, like a man used to working hard. He easily picked up the blond woman, who wrapped her legs around his waist and squealed with delight. She looked around, making sure they were alone. Then she cupped his face and brought her lips to his. Heat rushed between Rosalie’s legs as if it was her own. Goose bumps broke out along her arms when Manuel pressed Arden’s back against the trunk of the apple tree and kissed her, over and over again until their lips were sore and the sun began to set. A dinner bell rang in the distance and Arden looked up, worried. Slowly, sadly, Manuel stepped back and helped smooth her skirt back into place. She quickly picked a few apples to put in her carry bag. His full lips were all she could think about as she skipped through the orchard back toward her home. She bit into one of the ripe apples, the juices covering her swollen lips as she grinned with her secret.
Letter after letter they risked everything to express their feelings and blossoming love. Like the apples in the orchard, their romance was ripe, abundant, fertile. Promises they both knew were impossible were whispered between the sheets of linen paper until the tone changed and began decomposing like the apples at the end of the season—the ones that fell hopeless and rotten from the trees. That was when all they’d risked began crumbling, the reality of their different lots in life settling into their hearts like heavy weights, desperation to change things clinging to every word, every page.
Rosalie’s heart ached along with Arden’s when she found out the woman was pregnant.
Mi Amor, Manuel,
It saddens me to write this, but my parents discovered our secret when my mother walked in on me changing. My belly is already swelling with your baby, my love. My father threatened everything you care about—the land you worked so hard to earn, the business you created. Me.
I have no choice. I am to have the baby and give it up for adoption. Then I am to marry James. I do not love him. I don’t even like him. But I see no other hope. I will ruin everything you have built if we remain together.
My father offered to pay off your loan, so the mines and the land will be fully and functionally yours—in exchange for your silence about the baby and your promise to stay away from me. I am sad to write that my father is taking me to Asheville tomorrow to live with my aunt, Elizabeth. When the baby is born, I will come home and wed James. Aunt Elizabeth will find a good home for our child.
I beg you not to confront my father, Manuel. I fear what he would do. Your safety and livelihood are my priority. No matter how it looks on the outside, please know that my heart belongs to you and only to you.
You were the best thing that ever happened to me.
With all my love,
A
Rosalie set the letters back in the box and closed her eyes. It was more than she could handle while she, too, was leaving everything behind that she cared about. At least I’m not leaving for the same reason, Rosalie thought. She put her ear buds in and leaned back, listening to the playlist Zade forwarded to her before she left.
“I’m only one call away / I’ll be there to save the day / Superman got nothing on me / I’m only one call away.” The song by Charlie Puth was perfect for them. Rosalie sniffed loudly, hiccupping in the process. She started laughing when the old man with the bushy, stern brows sitting next to her gave her the stink eye.
She couldn’t sleep, and the music was making her miss Zade even more. Rosalie pulled out her phone and looked at the pictures in her HotDoc folder. They were mostly silly selfies the two had taken together, or screen shots from their FaceTime calls. But there were a few pictures Rosalie had taken of Zade impulsively, to capture the things she loved about the guy who had somehow stolen her heart. One was of Zade cooking for her. Another was of Zade in his scrubs. And one was of Zade’s hands. It was a random thing, but she loved how strong and capable they were. Knowing they balanced life and death every day; yet they were also so tender, and brought Rosalie so much comfort and pleasure.
She didn’t know how she would be able to make it on her own in California and had doubts for the first time since she was contacted by Halcyon Productions. She had to get her head in the game, or it would be the shortest TV run in history, and there was no way she would return to Arden’s Glen with her tail between her legs.
“SHUT UP, EVERYBODY!” Brecken called out hoarsely over the noisy crowd that was gathered at LettuceWrap. He was holding a premier party for the first show that was airing in Rosalie’s new series—Mystic Mysteries—and had, miraculously, invited Zade to join them.
It had been two months since she’d left, and every day without her sucked more than the last. Yeah, he loved the small city he now considered home, and he was glad he’d chosen his job at Arden’s Glen Regional over the one in Dallas. But without Rosalie, it was as if all the light had been stolen from his day. It just wasn’t the same.
She’d been so busy trying to get her show off the ground, and traveling to the first city where she was taping, that they often missed each other. Their hours weren’t as compatible anymore between his work shifts, their time-zone difference, and her filming schedule. The one upside was she’d actually taken to writing him letters when she was traveling—old-fashioned letters. It wasn’t the same as seeing her in person, but he felt her in every word. The last one she’d sent was tucked away in his pocket, and he planned to read it as soon as the show was over.
He stood next to Celeste and noticed that Dez was there with Mitch, her tiny baby bump finally making its debut. She radiated happiness whenever she looked up at her new husband, and Zade couldn’t help but be envious. Not of what Mitch had with her, but with what he was missing out on with Rosalie.
“The show starts in two minutes,” Brecken said. “No talking during the show—leave it for the commercials. Let’s lift our glasses to my talented baby sister. She has more promise in her little pinky than I’ve ever had, and I’m so damn proud of her.”
“Cheers!” people called out, lifting their glasses in toast. Zade turned to clink his beer bottle with Celeste’s when he noticed she was filming Brecken’s speech. She pressed the end button and pocketed the phone, smiling at Zade.
“I wanted Rosalie to see how many people turned out to celebrate
her big achievement. She always felt so alone here, but she had a lot more support than she realized.”
“Have you talked to her much?” Zade asked, trying to sound casual.
“Not on the phone, no. But she texts from time to time.”
“Has she mentioned if she’s made any more progress on the research she was doing on Arden’s Glen?”
“She did actually, but she hasn’t elaborated much. Hasn’t she talked to you about it?”
“It’s been a little hard to coordinate time to talk on the phone. She said she may’ve made a breakthrough, but she hasn’t said about what.”
“If you hear anything, let me know. I’d love to hear what she’s discovering. I wonder if they’ll let her do a show on Arden’s Glen,” Celeste said.
“She wanted to. Not sure what the producers are gonna let her do, though. They seem to be calling all the shots, from what I hear.”
“Well, she has to earn a fan base first. Maybe then she’ll have more luck and people will be interested in an episode with personal ties. It’s hard not to love Rosalie once you get to know her,” Celeste said, bumping Zade’s arm and grinning.
“I miss her,” Zade said quietly, more to himself than Celeste. He’d never experienced such an ache of loss before in a relationship—and he didn’t like it. When Rosalie went to California, he’d envisioned going out to see her every two weeks or so, enjoying a whirlwind, bicoastal romance. That hadn’t happened yet. Not once.
When the commercial faded and her face finally filled the screen for her introduction, Zade’s face lit up with a shit-eating grin so wide his jaw nearly ached. He couldn’t stop smiling as he listened to her soft, confident voice fill the room.
“Every city has a past just waiting to be uncovered. Think you know everything about your hometown? Sometimes the only way to shine the light on the truth is by facing the unseen,” Rosalie said, looking straight into the camera and devastating Zade with her gorgeous brown eyes. “Join me as I uncover these mystical mysteries. . . . Who knows, maybe it’ll be your town next.”