Wild Love (The Wilde Brothers #1)

Chapter 22

22

ELI

A t some point, Scarlett had slipped away from her own going-away party last night. It took everything in me to stay and go to the bar with my friends and family. I wanted to go back to the lodge where I knew I'd find Scarlett on the rooftop.

I wanted to beg her not to leave. But Marigold told me that would be the worst thing I could do.

According to her, our plan was working. She said Scarlett looked devastated at the airport. She pulled away from the curb with Scarlett still standing there, looking lost.

I didn't want Scarlett to think she wasn't wanted. I wanted her to know how much she meant to everyone, including me. But I wasn't sure she was ready to hear it. Marigold was convinced Scarlett needed to go back to her old life and experience it one more time. Then it would be clear to her that it wasn't the right place.

It was a huge gamble because that had never worked before. Chance said she didn't keep in touch any time she'd left before. Why would this trip be different ?

We'd agreed to meet at the diner after Marigold returned from dropping Scarlett off at the airport.

I clenched my hands, wanting to get in my SUV and head to the airport. But it wasn't the right play.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Chance mumbled.

Marigold's smile fell from her face. She wasn't confident we were doing the right thing either. Somehow that made everything worse. The only thing that got me through the last few days was Marigold's confidence.

If she wasn't sure, then this might be it. I might actually have to move on from Scarlett. It was unthinkable.

"It's going to work. She'll go to Tennessee and realize how empty her life is. I told her we were planning to interview for a new theater director."

"But we're not." I hadn't even decided what to do with the theater. It wouldn't be the same without Scarlett.

Marigold frowned. "She doesn't have to know that."

Chance's forehead creased. "Isn't that just going to push her away even more?"

I had the same thought.

"When we ask her to stay, it prompts her flight mode. This time we're doing the opposite." Except Marigold sounded like she was trying to convince herself too.

Our food sat in front of us, untouched.

Last night, I stayed with Chance, not trusting myself to go home to my penthouse. I know I'd go to the rooftop or knock on Scarlett's door. I couldn't resist her, and I needed to follow Marigold's plan.

"My parents told her not to worry about coming home for Christmas. They understood she'd be busy," Chance said.

I shook my head. "I'm shocked they went along with the plan."

"They were willing to try anything. She doesn't have to live here, but they'd like to see her more often. "

"You want her to live in Telluride," I said to him.

Chance nodded. "I liked having her here and working with the community. It was nice."

Marigold looked out the window at the front of the theater. The sign still said The Magical Forest. "I'd gotten used to her being gone. Then she stayed longer this time, and we were able to work together. I kept thinking how great it would be to make the theater program a real thing."

"I was too,” I said.

"We could have several performances a year. She could have separate singing and acting classes."

"You put a lot of thought into this," Chance said as he sipped his coffee.

"That play was mine. It was amazing to see it come to life, and it made me feel like my writing had a purpose. I have more written and even more ideas. The best part is, that if we're doing original works, it's new and exciting for the kids and the audience."

"I hadn't thought about it like that," Chance said thoughtfully, his attention fixed on Marigold.

"What we're trying to do here is unique. I never thought I'd buy a theater or that I'd fall in love with Scarlett."

Marigold touched my hand. "It's going to work out. But it might take some time."

"We'll have to keep busy." I couldn't even look forward to Thanksgiving or Christmas. It seemed pointless without Scarlett. "Should we interview directors?"

"I don't know. It doesn't feel right to replace her yet." Marigold sighed. "But I could post an advertisement. Whoever we get won't be as good as Scarlett but?—"

"I'm not selling the theater so we can have another restaurant downtown."

"I can't imagine not walking down the street and seeing the ticket window. It's a part of the town's history. "

"Have you thought about making it a historical site so you don't have to worry about anyone renovating it?" Chance asked.

"I don't know what the process is, but I'll look into it. This isn't a money-making endeavor for me. I enjoy building the business, but being part of the community… That felt great."

Chance nodded. "I get that with my job, but this is even better."

"Same with me. But it's still nice to do more. And this isn't anything we got paid for. We did it out of the kindness of our hearts."

We finally dug into our now-cold food. I picked up the tab for the table, ignoring their protests. Then we walked outside and stood on the sidewalk. The sun was bright but the air cool. Next week was Thanksgiving, and the town was already putting up holiday wreaths with red bows on the light posts.

A woman stood in front of the theater admiring the sign. She wore a light jacket, too light for Colorado weather, and when she turned, the air was sucked out of my lungs.

"Scarlett?" I took a step forward, and I vaguely heard Marigold murmur something like, "I told you."

But I didn't care. There was a rushing of air through my ears. I looked both ways before I jogged across the street.

Scarlett tipped her head to the side, her expression pensive. "Marigold said you were interviewing for a new director."

"We were talking about advertising for one. But we hadn't made any decisions yet."

Scarlett looked over my shoulder where I was positive Marigold and Chance were watching us.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you have an early flight? Marigold dropped you off at the airport." I was beyond confused to see her standing in town when she was supposed to be thirty thousand feet in the air.

Scarlett focused on me. "I made a mistake."

My forehead wrinkled. "What are you talking about? "

"You bought a theater."

I nodded. "Actually, I bought you a theater. It's in a trust with you as the trustee."

Scarlett's eyes filled with tears. "I didn't know."

"You didn't let me explain that night."

"I'm sorry. I'd just gotten the job offer, and I was confused. It was everything I wanted. I expected to get that itch to leave, but I didn't this time. It felt more like it was something I was supposed to do."

My heart beat harder, and I resisted the urge to touch her. "And how do you feel now?"

"Like my heart was being ripped out because everyone I love is here. We never said we wanted anything long-term, but things changed, and we both fell in love."

"What are you saying, Scarlett?" I asked, not wanting to make any assumptions.

"I want to live in Telluride. I want to run your theater and teach the kids how to sing and dance. This is so much better than traveling from town to town. I get to touch people in a way here that I don't performing. Plus, I have you, Chance, my family, and Marigold. Everyone I love is here." A smile played on her face.

I stepped closer to her. "I didn't think I'd ever hear those words come out of your mouth."

Her expression fell. "Were you really going to let me go to Tennessee?"

"That was Marigold's plan. She said you needed to see how empty your life was without us."

Scarlett laughed. "She's feeling confident about herself, isn't she?"

"I doubted every second of our plan to let you go. I wanted to suggest long-distance, and when you got on that plane this morning, I wanted to stop you. I wasn't going to let you be gone for long. "

"I love that."

"I love you. If you get the itch to travel, we could go together. But I'll respect your decision if you ever get the acting bug again."

"Why would I leave when everything I've ever wanted is right here?"

"I did buy you a theater."

"Most romantic gesture ever."

I held her tight, lowering my head to kiss her. I didn't care who saw us. But when I finally lifted my head, there were cheers.

Scarlett was pulled into Chance's arms, then Marigold's. "Do I get a welcome-home party now?"

"Girl, you didn't even leave the state. Don't push your luck," Marigold said, hugging her tight.

"I'm hungry. Did you eat?" Scarlett's gaze bounced between us.

"We did, but I have the perfect place to show you."