Christmas in Angel Harbor - Jeannie Moon Page 0,35
dewy quality. Her hair, with its many different shades of gold, caught the morning light, creating an aura that glowed and swirled around her like an ethereal crown. How was it, with all the years behind them, Jane was even more beautiful than she was at twenty-one? Maybe it was the years that made her so luminous. The inner wise woman was proving to be more attractive than any ingénue he’d ever dated. That was the moment that Danny realized he had it bad.
He’d always had it bad for her.
“If you have some time today, I’d love to talk to you about my book. I’d really like your opinion about my story idea.”
“Really?” Jane smiled. “I’d be happy to. We can chat over lunch.”
“Perfect.”
With a nod, Jane stepped inside and let the door shut behind her. Danny kept his eyes on the entry, even after she moved out of view.
What the hell was he going to do?
Danny directed his gaze back to the street and let himself drift back to the way she felt when he held her the night before. There was something so right and natural about it, and for the first time in ages, the idea that he didn’t have to spend his life as a confirmed bachelor crossed his mind. Who would have thought at fifty-one he would finally grow up?
Convincing Jane that they should see where things could go might be tougher. He didn’t have a great history to fall back on. She was tied to the town, and he never saw himself here for the long term. At least, he never had. Past tense.
Now he wasn’t so sure. There was an appeal to settling down in a place where he could blend in and be part of something steady and safe.
Holding the mug in both hands the heat softened his edge, just like Jane. Holding her in the light November snow had brought him a sense of calm, when Dan was never calm. He looked up at the sound of footfalls on the porch steps and was greeted by the smiling face of a woman, about his age, with a shoulder-length strawberry blond bob. He got the distinct feeling he should know who she was.
“Hey there, Danny Gallo.” She smiled, her pale blue eyes twinkling in the morning sun. “I almost didn’t recognize you without your notebooks and computer.”
How did he know her? She’d called him Danny, so they went way back, but he was drawing a blank. “Wow. Hey! It’s nice to see you.”
Narrowing her eyes, she shook her head slightly. “You have no clue who I am, do you?”
He was the worst liar. How he made stuff up for a living, he’d never know. “I—” This was not going to work. “I’m so sorry. I know I should.”
“We went to high school together. I’m Tracy Kelly. I was Tracy Neilsen in school. Jane and I were, still are actually, good friends.”
Of course. She and Jane were very close, but she looked different. Then again, thirty years could do that to a person. “There’s no excuse. Of course I should know you. You were the best backseat driver I ever had.”
“Ha! You do remember me!” Tracy laughed at his description, so he could relax about not remembering her right away.
“I really am sorry. I should have recognized you. Here to see Jane?”
“Actually—” she shrugged “—I work here.”
“Wait. What?” That blew him away. Was he completely oblivious?
“Yep. Full time.”
“Now I feel dumb.” Why hadn’t he noticed her? “I’ve been here pretty consistently…”
“You’ve been a little busy. Jane filled me in. I figured I’d leave you alone. Once I get talking…” He remembered. Tracy could talk. And talk.
“I am sorry, though. I totally zone out when I write. I’m like a zombie.”
“I could see that. It’s kind of cool to watch. It’s like a cross between laser focus and obsession.”
He chuckled at her spot-on assessment. There was something kind and decent about this woman. Dan remembered how she and Jane were like sisters in high school. It was nice to see friendships that lasted over the long haul. “That’s accurate.”
“Can you give me a hint about the next book?” Tracy giggled. “I’m a total fan.”
“You might be disappointed then. I’m not writing a thriller.”
Her face froze. This was how his fans were going to react. “No? Wow. I feel like I have the scoop of the century.”
“I don’t know how it’s going to be received. That’s all.”