My grandfather died of renal failure a few months back. With chronic disease, you think you’ll be more prepared for that imminent end, but no. It’s like a sword constantly swinging above your head, and as much as you keep praying, the day comes in a flash when the string holding it snaps.

My grandparents love me as best they can, but I could never stop thinking that while they lived their perfect life in this cottage house, my mother was struggling. She was unsuccessfully trying to keep a man who had no interest in her. She had no one to tell her that the love she’d seen in movies and read about in books isn’t real. Whenever I tried, she just laughed it off, saying one day I’d know what real love means.

“I can’t go before fulfilling his wish, Lukas.” Granny’s broken voice and tearstained face affects me more than I thought it would.

“I’ll help you…with whatever you want.” She’s the only person left in the world who I can call family, and as much as I hate to think about it, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to do that. With every passing day, she looks more frail.

“This might be something really big, Lukas.”

“Tell me,” I say, unaware that tonight my life was going to change forever.

After reading the letter my grandfather left behind, my legs shake as I flop down on the edge of the bed.

“Do this, Lukas. Agree to marry Autumn.” Granny’s hiccups echo in the room. “Your grandfather won’t be able to rest in peace until then.”

“I… I can’t do—”

“This is the only way to send bad luck away from our families, Lukas.”

7. Autumn

7

AUTUMN

“Are you seriously saying you got married because of a promise someone in your family made a decade back?” Confusion flickers in Connor’s gaze.

“Not immediately.” Lukas grabs the back of his neck and then goes silent.

When he doesn’t speak for several beats, Connor looks at me, still wide eyed. “When did you two first talk?”

“I sent him an email.”

“It wasn’t an email. It was hate mail.” There’s a teasing grin on Lukas’ face.

“It was.” I grin remembering the moment. “I was so angry that day and so many days later. My father thought it would be good if I talked to Lukas. He knew the circumstances around which Lukas had agreed, and Dad had a feeling that Lukas wouldn’t go through with his promise.”

My lips twitch as I remember the day after I’d sent Lukas that first email.

* * *

Six years ago

“How’s my favorite daughter?” Dad walks into the storeroom where I’m checking the new deliveries from our local candle and soap shop, Kiss My Candle.

“I’m your only daughter, favorite or not.”

“Still upset, chipmunk?”