wasn’t on edge.
It was nice. He could definitely get used to it. He could get used to her.
The woman was all heart and Dan wanted a piece of it for himself. It had only taken him thirty years to work up the nerve to be worthy of her.
He was brought out of his own thoughts by a small knock.
“Uncle Danny? Are you busy?” The little voice outside belonged to his niece, Jamie. Only eight years old, she acted like a toughie, but the kid had a heart of gold.
“Come on in, Jamie Girl.” He watched as she poked her head in the door like she didn’t know what she was going to see. “Hey!” he said. “Long time no see.”
Not exactly true, since he’d seen her at breakfast, but she didn’t react to his joke, letting him know there was something on her mind.
“Have you been at the bookstore all day?” she asked.
“I have. I’ve been working there. They have that big round table and a comfortable chair. And coffee and cookies. It’s a nice space to write.”
“Better than the cottage?” She wasn’t looking at him, and there was a tiny bit of fear in her voice.
“It’s different. Not better or worse. Sometimes a writer has to stay with what’s working.” He patted the sofa cushion next to him, encouraging her to sit down. “Sweetie, what’s this all about?”
After a second she seemed to screw up her courage. “We want to know if you’re going to leave when you finish your book.”
“We?”
“Me and Ella and Gavin.”
At least they were talking again. When he heard about last night’s row, he had his doubts. Not sure what he should say, he thought about her question. If she had asked him that a week ago, he probably would have said yes, because initially, he’d come home to change his mindset, to feel the vibe of the small town, and the East Coast. He still had a house in Hawaii and he did love it there, but his time back here had started to shift his perspective. His house was in a secluded area, and unlike New York or California, he didn’t have a lot of friends living in the islands. If he spent an hour walking in Manhattan, he’d probably meet at least three people whom he knew. But even in the middle of the city, he could disappear if he wanted to.
In Angel Harbor it was different. For the first time he wanted the connection it provided, and that meant his answer to Jamie wasn’t such a clear thing.
“You know, I think I might stick around for a while. As long as Mom and Dad don’t boot me out.”
Jamie rolled her eyes. There was the attitude. Her mood must be passing.
“I don’t think that’s a problem.” She grinned. “Are you going to eat with us tonight?”
He hadn’t been in for a meal since he started on his writing tear earlier in the week. Watching Jamie’s eyes bloom hopefully, he had no intention of saying no. “What’s for dinner?”
“Homemade pizza. You can help if you want.”
Standing, Dan reached out his hand and Jamie took it, her smile broad and happy. The feel of her small hand in his made him think about what he’d missed not having kids of his own.
It might be too late to be a dad, but he could be a better uncle, a better brother and brother-in-law. He could have been a better son, and paid more attention to his parents when they were still alive.
Dan always thought regret was a pointless emotion, but he was learning it had a purpose. It could serve as a catalyst for change, and he was all for that.
Chapter Eight
Jane looked at the blanket pattern for her next step and dug through her yarn bag for the right shade of blue. She’d just found out one of the young moms who came into the store regularly with her twin girls, was having another baby. She was due in only a few months and was both thrilled and overwhelmed. She and her husband had given up hope of having another baby, but after years of trying, Caitlyn was finally pregnant.
A baby was such a joy. Jane decided that since the new little bundle—a boy—would probably be one of her favorite customers, she could make him a baby blanket to welcome him to the world. She would add a couple of favorite children’s books to the gift, because what kind of book pusher would she