Page 16 of Highlands Homecoming

“I think I want to stay.”

“I want you to stay. But believe me, you’d be much better off to have me get to work and not stop until those papers are finalized. That’s all I can say.”

“Goodnight, then,” Melissa said.

“See you soon,” said Colin, pressing one last kiss onto her lips.

“Absolutely. Goodnight.”

Melissa stood on the porch and waved as Colin drove away. As she turned to go inside, she was struck by the fact that Dave had won either way. Either he’d get what he wanted or disrupt their happiness. Or both.

Chapter7

Melissa spent the next day in a flurry of boxes, packing tape, and wrapping as she sorted through keepsakes and decided what was worth shipping overseas and what was going to be donated.

That evening, Melissa sipped a glass of wine in a window seat overlooking Jamaica Pond, feeling the relief that comes with lightning your load—quite literally—down to the bare necessities.

Snowflakes drifted gently down, and people strolled by, walking their dogs. She missed her border collie puppy, Jingles, terribly. Though she was relieved that her little dog was staying with Colin’s father—who had trained Jingles and all of his ancestors—she longed for Jingles' unconditional cuddles and playful energy. Caitlin’s large orange-and-white cat ambled over, stretched his paws, and gazed up at her.

“Sure, come on up, Ollie,” said Melissa, patting her leg. Sure enough, the cat leapt up and nestled into her lap.

Caitlin came in with the bottle of wine, some cheese and crackers, and fruit. “Now he’s got you just where he wants you!” she laughed.

“Trapped!” Melissa laughed as she scratched Ollie behind his ear.

Caitlin refilled Melissa’s glass and offered her the plate of snacks. As she reached for a piece of cheese, Melissa groaned.

“I’ve got muscles aching that I never knew I had,” Melissa said ruefully.

“You and me both,” said Caitlin.

“Thanks for your help with all those boxes. I never could’ve moved all that without you and Emma,” said Melissa.

“How are you ever going to unload the packages once they arrive in Inverness?”

“Colin’s dad has a dolly. We’ll figure it out. He and Lindsay know everyone in town, and it’s a really strong community. Fortunately, I’ve got so much room in Greenhill House.”

Just then, her phone buzzed an email alert:New forms available via DocuSign. Melissa clicked on the link and took a deep breath.

“Everything okay?” asked Caitlin.

“More than okay. Colin has officially finalized the divorce documents!”

“That calls for another glass of wine! Or should I find some celebration music so we can dance the night away?”

Melissa laughed. “All of the above. Maybe I should do this on a computer so I can see what I’m doing,” she said.

Melissa opened her computer and found the link. She clicked and soon was engrossed in the legalese that would divide up everything she and Dave had owned together, although somehow he was keeping the Boston house. Whatever. It didn’t matter. She and Dave were officially over. She and Colin had a new beginning.

Colin came over with a box of pizza from their favorite spot in the North End. They gathered around the fireplace, savoring the crispy, thin-crust slices generously topped with gooey cheese and spicy pepperoni. The aroma of fresh basil and melted mozzarella filled the room, and their cheeks were flushed from the never-ending glasses of wine Caitlin poured, until Colin finally covered his glass.

“No more for me. I’m on my way to being well and truly blootered,” said Colin.

“Blootered, eh?” said Caitlin with a laugh. “I’ll try that one out on Angus.”

“Too bad he can’t be here.”

“The work of a pub owner’s never done,” said Caitlin. “Neither rain, nor snow, nor well and truly blootered … something.”