That evening, Caroline had a rough night of fitful sleep. Tossing and turning, she couldn't forget about that last creepy dream of Rachel trying to tell her something. What did she desperately want Caroline to know?
The sun danced through the curtains at daybreak, and Caroline woke to the aroma of coffee. She would miss the delicious New Orleans java Delia brewed and the homemade waffles, bacon and pancakes Delphine had waiting every morning."
She sighed. Caroline didn't want to leave yet. She needed to talk to Cade. She resolved to try his cabin one more time before she left. Trevor had bought her a ticket on his flight scheduled to depart at three and it's a two hour drive to the airport. She had until noon at the latest. Caroline needed to get up and get dressed, but first—coffee.
While in the kitchen having coffee with Delia and Delphine, she heard the front door open. She quickly ran around the counter and through the heavy kitchen door hoping to see Cade. Instead, Claire and Remy walked into the house, arguing like a typical brother and sister. She loved having siblings. It was a great feeling. Claire's face lit up when she saw Caroline.
"Hey! What are you doing today?"
Caroline searched for the right words from the thousands swimming through her mind. "Well, my fiancé surprised me with a visit this weekend, and, well, um. . .I'm going back to Chicago with him. Today."
Claire's mood shifted like the weather. "What? Why? You just got here! We haven't had enough time together."
"Oh, back off, Claire. If the girl wants to go back with her guy, let her go. You wouldn't care what anyone else said if you were in her place."
"Shut up, pea brain!" Claire hissed at Remy. "What about Beau?" She challenged. "Are you just gonna leave him, too?"
"I was engaged when I came here. I wasn't expecting to meet anyone, much less fall—" she swallowed hard.
"Go ahead, finish your sentence. We all know what you were about to say, but do you?"
"I can't stay here when my life is in Chicago. Trevor and I are getting married at the end of August. I have a lot to do; besides, I would have to leave in six weeks anyway to go back for school."
"It's not fair." Claire practically pouted. "You walk into our lives and make things so much happier around here for everyone. . .for me. Now you're leaving just like that? It sucks! Don't leave yet. Please."
"I know, and I'm so sorry." Caroline waved her cell phone in the air. "I always have it with me. . .well, except in rare cases when my wicked stepmother decides to steal it to cause trouble."
Claire smiled and hugged Caroline. "I'm really going to miss you."
"I already miss you." Caroline pulled Remy over for a hug. "I'll miss you, too!"
"Man, I was just gettin' used to havin' two sisters around here."
Caroline glanced at the time on her phone. Five minutes till ten. She needed to head out before Trevor left his hotel to come pick her up. She sighed. Only two hours before she had to leave. "I'll be in touch, I promise. I love you guys."
"We love you, too." Claire blinked back her emotion.
"Well, I have to go see one more person before I leave."
Claire's tears now flowed freely. "Good luck with that. He's gonna go nuts."
"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of." She ran up the stairs to get ready.