“I do believe that, but I think you have to want it to happen. And make it happen. I never said it was easy.”
Fliss sniffed. “Isn’t he supposed to ride up here on his charger and sweep me into the sunset?”
“You’d get sand in your eyes. And you’d probably argue about who was going to sit in front, and the horse would get bored and stomp on you.”
“So what are you saying? I should ride over to him on my charger?”
“I think what I’m saying is that it’s time to make a decision. How much is love worth to you? What price are you prepared to pay?” Harriet stretched out her legs. “Plenty of people go through life and never find what you have. Mom. Me. You have found it.”
“And I’ve ruined it.”
“No.” Harriet scrambled to her feet. “You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and get over there and tell him how you feel. You’ve never actually said those words to him. Say them! You need to find out if this can work.”
“He already told me it wasn’t going to work.”
“Because he was hurting. He saw you scurrying back into your fortress. I know it’s scary, but you’re brave, Fliss. I’ve seen you stand up to people twice the size of you. Look at how you were with Dad! You’re brave when it comes to defending other people, so for once in your life go and be brave for yourself.”
“Whatever happened to sympathy?”
“That comes later, when you’ve tried and failed. But first you need to try. What you have is too rare and special to let it go without a fight.”
“You’re right, I’m afraid.” Fliss sucked in a breath. “I’m afraid to tell him how I really feel. I’m finding it hard to change the habit of a lifetime. I don’t think I’m very brave at all.”
“You’re the bravest person I know.” Harriet reached down and pulled her to her feet. “And it’s natura
l to want to protect yourself. You probably always will. But don’t do it from me. And don’t do it from Seth. Go and talk to him.”
“It feels like walking a high wire with no safety net.”
“I’m your safety net,” Harriet said, wrapping her in her arms. “I’ll catch you if you fall.”
* * *
SETH WAS SANDING paint in one of the bedrooms when he heard someone at the door. Even vigorous activity hadn’t improved his mood.
He dropped everything and pulled open the door.
She stood there, looking more demure than usual in a flowered sundress.
“Fliss—”
“No. I’m Harriet, so don’t kiss me or do anything that is going to embarrass both of us.” She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, which made him wonder if it really was Harriet or if this was Fliss playing another game.
Harriet wouldn’t just march into his house uninvited, would she? And then he took a closer look at her face and realized it really was Harriet.
“What’s happened? Is Fliss all right?”
“Well, it’s hard to know, isn’t it? This is Fliss we’re talking about. She doesn’t exactly wear her feelings emblazoned on a T-shirt. I’m sure it would help us both if she did. I’m here because I assume you still care about her.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Of course I care.”
“If you care, why did you push her away?”
“Because she keeps her feelings in solitary confinement, under lock and key, and even I don’t have access.”
“So she got scared,” Harriet said slowly, “but before that phone call she opened up to you, didn’t she? She opened up in a way she never has in her life before with anyone. And that includes me. Do you have any idea how hard that was for her? Do you know how long I’ve been trying to persuade her to talk to me? It feels like most of my life. And finally, finally, she does it and it ends like this.”
He felt as if he’d been doused in ice water. “What phone call? I don’t know anything about a phone call.”