Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

S cott stared at the invoice on his tablet, the numbers blurring together as his mind wandered. The Roasted Bean hummed with quiet conversation around him, the familiar scent of coffee doing little to lift his mood. He'd been trying to get back into his routine—running his business, finishing projects, moving forward. But everything felt hollow, like going through motions without purpose.

"Well, this is a sorry sight."

He looked up to find Miss Doris standing over him, a steaming cup of tea in one hand and that knowing smile he'd learned to be wary of. Without waiting for an invitation, she settled into the chair across from him.

"Miss Doris," he said, managing a small smile. "How are you?"

"Better than you, by the looks of it." She stirred her tea carefully, her eyes never leaving his face. "I heard from Megan yesterday."

Scott's fingers tightened on his coffee cup, but he kept his voice neutral. "That's nice."

"Nice?" Miss Doris arched an eyebrow. "That's all you have to say?"

"What else is there to say?" He turned back to his tablet, though the numbers meant even less now. "She made her choice."

"And you're just going to accept that? Sit here moping over cold coffee instead of doing something about it?"

Scott sighed, setting the tablet aside. "She's got her future all figured out in California. What can I offer her?"

Miss Doris leaned forward, her voice dropping. "You didn't tell her about the job you found for her, did you?"

His eyes widened slightly. "That doesn't matter. It wouldn't have made a difference."

"Wouldn't it?" Miss Doris's tone sharpened. "A paralegal position at James Winter's new practice, with flexible hours and the chance to study for the bar? The opportunity to build her career right here on the island?" She shook her head. "That sounds exactly like what she was looking for."

"She's got everything she needs in California," Scott insisted, but the words felt hollow even to his ears.

"Are you sure about that?" Miss Doris fixed him with a steady gaze. "Or is that just what you're telling yourself to make it easier to let her go?"

Scott opened his mouth to protest, but no words came. Miss Doris stood, gathering her tea with a grace that belied her years.

"Think about it, Scott," she said softly. "Sometimes, people just need to know they have options."

She left him there, staring into his coffee as doubt crept in. Had he underestimated what Megan wanted? What she needed? The possibility that he might have had the answer all along settled like a weight in his chest.

His coffee had gone cold, but he barely noticed. Miss Doris's words echoed in his mind, stirring something that felt dangerously like hope.

Scott sat on his couch, phone in hand, watching as the evening light painted shadows across his living room. He'd been staring at Kara's contact information for nearly ten minutes, Miss Doris's words still echoing in his mind. The thought of making this call felt like standing on the edge of something he couldn't take back. Finally, he pressed "Call."

"Big brother!" Kara's voice was warm and familiar. "I was just thinking about you. How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine," he said automatically, then sighed. "Actually, no. I'm not fine."

"Is this about Megan?"

Scott stood, moving to the window where he could see the quiet street below. "Miss Doris cornered me at the coffee shop today. Apparently, she's still in touch with Megan."

"And?"

"And she thinks I should have told Megan about the job I lined up. The one at James Winter's new practice." He pressed his forehead against the cool glass. "She made it sound so simple, like I just needed to tell Megan about this opportunity and everything would fall into place."

"The paralegal position?" Kara asked. "The one that could lead to her practicing law on the island?"

"Yeah." Scott turned away from the window, his chest tight. "But it's more complicated than that. Megan's already started her new life in San Diego. She's got this prestigious job back in California that’s everything she wanted. Who am I to show up and potentially mess that up?"

"Scott." Kara's voice took on that tone she'd used since they were kids, the one that meant she was about to tell him he was being an idiot. "Why aren't you on a plane to San Diego right now?"

"I can't just?—"

"Yes, you can," she interrupted. "What's really stopping you?"

"The business, for one thing. I have projects?—"

"Don't even try that excuse. Mike and Dave have been with you for years. They can handle the carpentry business for a few days."

Scott paced the length of his living room, his free hand running through his hair. "Even if I did go, what would I say? 'Hey, surprise, I found you a job but didn't bother telling you about it until after you moved across the country'?"

"How about 'I love you and I think we could build something amazing here'?" Kara suggested. "Sometimes the simplest truth is the best one."

Scott stopped pacing, his sister's words hitting home. "What if she doesn't want to hear it?" His voice dropped lower, revealing the real fear beneath his hesitation. "What if I fly across the country only to find out she's happier there? That Ruby's settled in and they're better off without me?"

"Then at least you'll know," Kara said softly. "But Scott? I don't think you're the only one struggling with this decision. Miss Doris wouldn't have pushed if she thought Megan was happy in California."

"It's not just about happiness though, is it?" Scott sank back onto the couch. "She needed security, stability. A future she could count on."

"And you don't think you could provide that?" The challenge in Kara's voice was gentle but clear. "The Scott I know built a successful business from scratch. The Scott I know has been the backbone of that community for years. When did you start doubting yourself?"

Her words hung in the air as Scott struggled to find a response. "Since meeting someone who matters more than I thought possible," he finally admitted.

"Then fight for her," Kara said simply. "You've spent so much time being Santa, making other people's wishes come true. Maybe it's time to believe in a little magic for yourself."

After they hung up, Scott sat in the quiet of his living room, his phone heavy in his hand. Through the window, he could see the first stars appearing in the darkening sky. The same stars that would be visible in San Diego, he thought, though the city lights might dim their brightness.

With a deep breath, he pulled up a travel app and typed in "San Diego." The flight options appeared on his screen, each one representing a chance to change everything—or to confirm that letting her go had been the right choice all along.

His finger hovered over the "Book Now" button as Kara's words echoed in his mind: Sometimes the simplest truth is the best one.

The truth was, he loved Megan. He loved Ruby. And maybe that was worth risking everything for.