Page 46 of Grateful Hearts
I won’t lie—I found myself hoping for something more. And maybe that was foolish on my part, especially since I’ve barely untangled myself from a messy relationship that left me hurting and doubting. But being around you, I started to believe, just for a moment, that maybe there could be something more.
When I saw you with that woman at the pool hall, I was surprised by the pang it left me with. You don’t owe me anything, and I know we were just two people caught in a whirlwind holiday, but I realize now that it was silly to expect you’d feel the same. I blame myself for letting my heart wander so soon. I didn’t want this to become awkward for either of us, so I decided it was best to step away now before I could get hurt even more. Leaving without a proper goodbye might seem abrupt, but it’s my way of preserving all the good memories from this week.
Thank you for everything, Zach—for the invitation, the laughter, the sarcasm that drove me crazy, and especially for trusting me with your family’s Thanksgiving meal. It’s been a Thanksgiving I’ll never forget, and I’ll always remember this time fondly.
Take care of yourself, and I hope you find whatever you’re looking for. I’ll miss you—your wit, your kindness, and even the sarcasm you dished out so easily. You’re one of a kind, and I’ll always be grateful our paths crossed, even if just for a little while.
With all my best,
Chantel
He looked at the letter again, and a wave of emotions crashed over him as he reread it. The opening lines were calm, even grateful, but soon, he reached the part that cut him to the core. She was upset and deeply hurt because she saw him with another woman.
She saw me with another woman?he thought, confused. He and Chantel had spent nearly the entire evening together, except for that one moment when she’d gone to the restroom. And then he remembered—Naomi.
Chantel must’ve come out and seen him and Naomi together and jumped to the wrong conclusion.
“Fuck!” he exclaimed, drawing everyone’s attention.
“What is it?” his mom asked, frowning in concern. “Zach, what did she say?”
He looked up, his face a mixture of regret and hurt. He then explained what the letter said and then told them about running into Naomi last night.
His dad shook his head in disbelief. “Damn. But after what her ex-fiance did, you can’t fault her for thinking the worst.”
Zach knew his dad was right. But she could’ve at least spoken to him.
Clover crossed her arms, looking at him intently. “So, what are you gonna do about it?”
“I’m going to find her, of course,” Zach said, pushing his chair back from the table and standing. He wasn’t going to let her slip away over a misunderstanding. He couldn’t.
Jocelyn, Bear’s wife, leaned forward, her face alight with excitement. “Do you know where she might’ve gone?”
Zach thought hard, remembering how disappointed she was when their flight first got canceled. She had been looking forward to seeing Gatlinburg. If he had to guess, she was probably heading there.
“Gatlinburg,” he said with certainty.
Ethan and Justin sprang to their feet, clapping him on the back. “Well, what are we waiting for?” Ethan grinned. “Get your keys. Let’s go bring her back where she belongs!”
Zach chuckled at their enthusiasm, his spirits lifting a little. He darted upstairs to grab his keys and wallet, but when he returned to the foyer, he stopped short, baffled by the sight before him. His entire family was at the front door, bundled up in their coats and pulling on their shoes.
He raised an eyebrow, glancing between them all. “Uh, what’s going on?”
Clover gave him a sly grin, arms crossed. “Please. You don’t think we’d just leave you to handle this on your own, do you? Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t mess this up.”
Jocelyn laughed, slipping on her gloves. “Besides, we like Chantel too. We all have a stake in getting her back.”
Zach couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head. His heart swelled, seeing his family rallying around him. “Alright, alright. Let’s do this. But no overbearing. Let me actually get a word in before you all swarm her.”
With everyone chuckling and jostling each other in good spirits, they piled into two SUVs and set off toward Gatlinburg, determined to bring Chantel back where she belonged.
Chapter Eighteen
As the car rolled down the main street in Gatlinburg, Chantel stared out the window, mesmerized by the holiday lights twinkling from every storefront and tree. The entire town was bathed in festive lights, and every building seemed to be draped in garlands and wreaths. Snow dusted the rooftops, creating a scene that looked like it had been lifted right from a postcard.
Yet, for all the beauty around her, her mind couldn’t help but drift back to the past few days with Zach and his family. She already missed the cozy afternoons in the kitchen with Clover and Jenelle, sharing recipes and secrets over simmering pots and trays of cookies. Or the spontaneous snowball fight she’d had with Zach and his brothers, laughing and stumbling through the snow, the kids shrieking in delight. And the talks with Clover, who’d felt like a sister she’d never had.
But then, her heart twisted. Seeing Zach with that other woman had been a brutal reminder that she needed to start looking out for herself.