7. Lydia

7

LYDIA

Present day

M y eyes jerked open to the sound of my phone, and I sat straight up, my heart pounding a million miles a minute. It felt like I'd just gone to sleep, but the blue numbers on my alarm clock showed it was a quarter after six in the morning.

I reached over and grabbed my phone off the nightstand. The only person who ever called so early in the morning was my mother and a quick glance at my phone screen told me it was her.

"Good morning," I answered, trying my best not to sound as if I'd just woken up.

"Oh, honey, did I wake you? Your sister didn't get you sick, did she?"

I rubbed my eyes. "No, I'm fine. At least, for the moment, I am. She better not have given her germs to me."

There was too much going on in December for me to get sick. We had festivals, parties, and many town events I didn't want to miss.

My mother breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I was hoping you could do me a favor before opening the gallery this morning."

I slid out of bed and hurried into the bathroom to turn on the shower water. "Sure. What do you need me to do?"

"Your grandmother wanted some blueberry muffins from Sweet Spot Bakery. Your dad and I are about to head down to Hickory to shop for furniture. Could you please pick some up and drop them off to her? The gallery should be fine if you open an hour or so later."

"Of course. I'd be happy to." I reached into the shower and the water was hot and steamy. "I'll get ready and head out." Wednesday mornings were the slowest out of the week so going in late shouldn't be a problem.

"Thanks, sweetheart. Please tell your grandmother I'll be there this afternoon to see her."

"Will do. Have fun furniture shopping."

After we said our goodbyes, I quickly showered and put on a cream sweater and jeans together with my brown boots. I didn't have time to dry my hair fully, so I put it in a side braid.

It only took a few minutes to get to Sweet Spot Bakery and grab the muffins. By the time I made it to Willow Creek Village, it was eight o'clock. I walked inside toward my grandmother's hallway, and it felt like I was just there. My dream when I visited her and met Max seemed so real.

Her door was decorated like it always was this time of year, but there was a new addition . . . a Santa Claus hanging from the doorknob. It was cute.

"Knock, knock," I called out, tapping on the door gently.

"Coming, Liddy Bug!"

Hearing her call out my nickname always warmed my heart. When she opened the door, I expected her to fling it wide, but she only cracked it and waved me in.

"Hurry before someone sees me."

Her bright white hair was in rollers, and she was still in her Christmas housecoat, which had cats with Santa hats all over it. My grandfather had given it to her one year, thinking it would be a gag gift that she'd stow away in her closet, but she ended up loving it.

Laughing, I rushed inside and shut the door behind me.

"Since when do you care if people see you in your rollers and housecoat?" She stared at me as if I'd lost my mind, and then I noticed she had on more makeup than usual. It made her look younger. My mouth dropped, and I put her muffins and my purse on the small kitchen table in her dining nook. "Nana, are you trying to impress someone?"

She clasped her hands in front of her, looking sheepish. "Maybe," she answered.

Never in my life would I have thought she'd ever open her heart up to another man besides my grandfather. She was dead set against it, but now there was a light in her eyes that hadn't been in a long time.

"Who is he?"

Her smile widened. "Do you remember when we played cards on Christmas Eve in the rec room two years ago, and you invited a young man and his grandfather to join us?"

The breath hitched in my lungs, and I froze. Was she talking about Max Harper and his grandfather, John, from my dreams? That couldn't be right. They weren't real.

The world spun around me, and I had no clue what was real and what wasn't. I pinched my arm to make sure I was awake and felt the sting shoot up my arm. I did it again and again, and each time, it hurt. I was awake. This wasn't a dream.

"I think I remember," I said, saying the words slowly. "What were their names again?"

I held my breath, wondering if I would hear Max's name. How could that be possible? I know I'd never met him in real life.

My grandmother grinned even wider. "Surely, you haven't forgotten Max, have you? He was such a good-looking boy. And when I saw him two weeks ago, the first thing he mentioned was you." She winked. "I think he's single, too."

I could only stand there and stare at her like an idiot. I had no words. What could I say that wouldn't make me sound like a complete lunatic?

My grandmother's brows furrowed. "You remember him, right?"

"Yeah, I think so," I answered, feeling as if my mind was going to explode. Nothing made sense.

"Anyway," she continued, waving a hand in the air, "I wondered why I never saw John again after that Christmas Eve and it's because his family had some money issues with his estate. Now that it's been taken care of, he's back; he moved in two weeks ago. He and Max came to see me, and they asked about you." She pointed at the door. "John is the one who gave me the Santa on the door. Isn't it adorable?"

Still, I had no words. It was all surreal.

My grandmother's expression shifted to concern. She walked over and clutched my arms. "Liddy Bug, are you okay? Are you angry with me?" Her gaze saddened. "I don't want you upset about this situation with John. I know you miss your pappy."

I gasped and hugged her tight. "Oh, Nana, no!" I let her go, and I could feel the burn behind my eyes. "You've been alone for five years. I want you to be happy. If being around John does that, I am all for it."

Her smile trembled. "Thanks, honey. I had such a fantastic time playing cards and talking with him on that Christmas Eve. I was a little disappointed when I never saw him again." She perked up and patted the rollers on her head. "But now he's back and we're going to play cards. I just have to finish getting ready."

I pointed over at the box of muffins. "Well, you have breakfast now. The muffins were freshly baked this morning. I should probably get to the gallery and open up."

My grandmother smiled and patted my cheek. "I appreciate you bringing me the muffins, dear."

"You're welcome, Nana." I moved over to the table to grab my purse. "Call me if you need anything. Also, Mom told me to tell you that she'll be by this afternoon."

She nodded. "Sounds good."

My mind was still reeling about Max and John. Turning on my heel, I walked to the door and indiscreetly pinched my arm again to ensure I was awake. I just wanted to know what was going on.

I opened the door and stepped out. "Love you, Nana."

She closed the door a little and peered at me through the crack. "I love you too. Have a good day."

"You as well," I said, winking at her.

Once she closed the door, I stood in the hallway and looked around. I needed answers. My mind was a jumbled mess, and I couldn't be more confused. I was starting to believe I needed to be put in a mental institution. If meeting Max really happened, my grandmother wouldn't have been the only person to know. Surely, I would've said something to Hailey about meeting someone, right? I knew I did in my dream, but I hadn't mentioned it in real life.

On the way out the door, I pulled my car keys and phone out of my purse and called Hailey. The line rang and rang, but she didn't pick up.

When I arrived at my car, I froze mid-step when a familiar voice I'd only heard in my dreams called out my name.

"Lydia!"

I had no clue what to do. What do you say to someone who you believe never existed in the real world? Or did our meeting really happen, and I had a head injury that made me forget? That would mean something was seriously wrong with me.

Not knowing what to expect, I turned around and there he was . . . Max Harper. His auburn hair was a little longer on top and tousled in a messy-but-coifed way. When he smiled, it was how I remembered it in my dream: very genuine and sweet.

"Hey," he said, closing the distance and zipping up his jacket against the cold. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"Same," I replied, meaning that in all seriousness.

He nodded toward the building. "We had a problem with my grandfather's estate and had to move him back to Charlotte for a while, but now he's back. All he's talked about during the last two years was your grandmother and how he wanted to play cards with her again. You should've seen his face when he saw her again for the first time two weeks ago."

I had no choice but to go along with it all or look like a complete moron.

"My grandmother just told me about you being back. She's excited about spending time with John. I like the Santa Claus he got for her doorknob."

Max tilted his head back and laughed. "Yeah, I thought it was funny when he wanted to get it for her. It's been nice seeing him happy again. The past two years have been rough, with moving him to a different home until we could get the finances straight."

"I'm glad it worked out," I said.

He sighed. "Me too."

"I take it you're here to visit him?"

Max chuckled again. "Of course. I was hoping to run into you again, and I'm so glad I did. I wanted to kick myself in the ass two years ago for not getting your phone number when I had the chance." He cleared his throat and smiled sheepishly. "That is, if you're not seeing someone."

I held out my hand, loving how his last words had a hint of shyness. "I'm not seeing anyone," I told him. "Hand me your phone, and I'll add my number." He pulled out his cell and gave it to me. Once I typed in my number and handed it back, he texted me so I'd have his.

He pocketed his phone and cleared his throat again. "Would you like to grab dinner on Friday?" Friday was two days away.

December was a busy month for Blowing Rock, and it turned out that one of my favorite events was on Friday.

"Actually," I began, broadening my smile, "the Triple C event is that day. It's the Cocoa and Cookie Craze. Tons of people compete to see who has the best hot chocolate and homemade cookies. You're welcome to join me. We'll be high on sugar, but it's a lot of fun."

Max beamed. "Sounds like a good time; I look forward to it. Do you want to ride together? I can pick you up."

My stomach fluttered with excitement. "I'd like that. I'll text you my address."

He nodded once and stepped back. "Perfect. Hopefully, I'll talk to you before then, though."

"You have my number. Call me anytime."

His smile grew brighter. "I might just do that. Have a good rest of your day, Lydia."

"You too," I replied.

He hurried off inside and I looked down at his text on my phone. He was real. I couldn't wrap my head around anything that was happening.

I hopped in my car and called Hailey, but she still didn't pick up.

I had to tell someone what was going on.