Happy Medium

by Sarah Adler

Strange how much she wants to ease this man’s burden when he’s made it very clear that she currently makes up a significant chunk of it.

getting Charlie to slowly open up to her—those little revelations that she holds in her heart like a firefly carefully cupped between her palms.

“Only a friend, eh?” Mr. Waybill asks as he digs into the ice cream. “Thought my grandson was smarter than that.” “Grandpa,” Charlie warns, but his voice is light. “Come on, boy, she’s very pretty.” To Gretchen’s immense surprise, Charlie replies, “So I’ve noticed.”

And it’s nice to be recognized for her skills, as unsavory as he may find them. He sees me.

She lets out a small whimper, and Charlie freezes. “Don’t do that,” he warns, his voice quiet. “Or I’m going to have to bend you over this table and take you right here.”

And even if it doesn’t work out and I wind up stuck at Gilded Creek for the rest of my life, it’ll have been worth it.” He pauses and takes a deep, slow breath before continuing. “Loving you . . . loving you will always be worth it. And I do love you, Gretchen Acorn. I do.”

“I’ve never wanted you because you were useful, Gretchen. I want you because you’re you.”