Dani hadn’t been able to see Travis off. She just couldn’t. She’d heard Wyatt was driving him to the airport, and she’d also heard the diesel truck as it passed by the Main House on Christmas morning, but she hadn’t even been able to bring herself to look out the window. She’d spent Christmas day alone, and had only gone to the dinner that the guests provided for the family because Kelsi had forced her into it.

“They’ll all be expecting you. It’s important,” she’d said, although she’d felt Kelsi’s pitying glances the entire time they’d been there. She was pretty sure she hadn’t smiled even once.

She’d gone back to gather her things from Kelsi’s room as she didn’t want to leave Kitty alone, but being in the cabin without Travis was torture. She’d barely slept, and now, the morning after, Dani stood outside Jaclyn’s house for at least half an hour, pacing back and forth while the rabbits followed her back and forth. She finally took in a deep breath and walked up the steps, ready to knock, but the door opened before she could rap on the glass.

“It’s about time, young lady,” Jaclyn said as she turned and walked back into the house. Dani hung her head for a moment before she followed. She’d avoided Jaclyn the entire time Travis was at the ranch. What if she hadn’t? Would things have worked out differently?

She sat on the sofa and stared at the plate of snickerdoodles on the table—while Jaclyn stared at her.

“Have a cookie,” Jaclyn said as she handed her a glass of milk.

Dani picked up a cookie and brought it to her mouth but couldn’t take a bite. She’d had no appetite since Travis left, and even one of Jaclyn’s snickerdoodles couldn’t fix that.

She absently reached out to pet one of the rabbits that had hopped up next to her on the sofa. She’d been coming to visit Jaclyn so long she didn’t even think twice about it, nor the sparkling glass fairies that hung in the kitchen. Although this was the first time that she imagined they were frowning at her.

“Why didn’t you come see me when I asked you to?” Jaclyn said finally as she set her teacup on the table.

Dani shook her head slowly. “I don’t know, Jaclyn. I’m sorry.”

“You are aware that you can’t argue with the fairies. And they had a message for me to deliver to you.”

“I’m sorry,” Dani said again as she gathered the rabbit onto her lap, taking comfort in its soft fur. “I just thought—”

“You thought you knew better? What harm would it have done to come visit? I could have helped you.”

“I don’t think anything could have helped us. It’s obvious we weren’t meant to be. I don’t think the fairies could have even fixed this.”

Jaclyn sat back in her chair and rested her elbow on the arm, drumming her fingers against her chin. Dani squirmed on the sofa as the silence continued.

“Dani Weston, we’ll never know now, will we? Contrary to your belief, it is not your job to know better than everyone else, nor to be in charge of the entire universe.”

“I’m not. I just thought—”

Jaclyn held up her hand. “I know, dear. You’re used to having your own mind, going your own way. I understand.”

The bunny hopped off Dani’s lap and scurried into the kitchen. Just like Kitty. Nobody wanted to be with her, it seemed.

“The fairies believe there’s possibly another chance at this, Dani. I don’t say these things lightly, and I know your heart is broken. I’m sorry.”

Dani sighed as the older woman’s tone softened. She did love Jaclyn—always had—and she’d come there many times as a girl for comfort. She couldn’t for the life of her imagine how this might turn out all right, but she felt comforted nonetheless.

“What can I do? I have no idea.”

Jaclyn thought for a moment and looked into the kitchen.

“You need to call your mother.”

Dani blinked slowly as she stared at Jaclyn. She and her mother hadn’t had any conversation of substance in the entire time they’d been gone, and not too many before they’d left. Her parents had been busy getting ready for the trip, and Dani had two jobs to do—it just didn’t happen.

“My mother?”

“Yes. Call your mother. And right now,” Jaclyn said as she stood and cleared away the cookies and cups. Dani stood, her eyebrows raised as she slowly turned toward the door. She was barely on the porch before she heard Jaclyn say, “Never fear, dear. There’s hope.” And she heard the door shut behind her.

She looked back at the door as she passed through the gate, careful not to let any of the bunnies out, and she gave a nod to Gorgeous George as she walked toward her cabin. She’d known it would be both comfort and torture at the same time to be in there, but she’d had no choice. At least Kitty seemed a little happy to see her. Maybe.

She reached for her phone and dialed her mother, part of her hoping she wouldn’t answer.

“Dani? Is that you?” Her mother’s voice washed over her and she melted, pouring out her heart to her mom.

“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Travis is certainly a fine young man, and I had a feeling you’d hit it off. That’s why I sent him.”

“You did?” Dani said as she walked slowly through the pines toward the cabin.

“Yes. Let me ask you something. Do you love him?”

Dani stopped walking, her mother’s question stirring something in her she hadn’t yet acknowledged. But now that she’d thought about it, Dani knew that it was true. She did love Travis, even though he was in Florida.

“I do, Mom. I really do.”

“All right, dear. That’s all I wanted to know. Thank you for calling.”

Dani ran her hands through her hair. “Mom?”

“Yes, honey.”

“I—I miss you.”

Her mother was silent for a moment, and Dani thought she may have heard a sniffle. “I miss you too, honey. All of you. Don’t forget your father and I love you,” she said before the phone went quiet.

Dani shoved her phone in her pocket as she said, “I love you, too.”