Christmas in Angel Harbor - Jeannie Moon Page 0,59
to try.”
“Dan, I’ve known you for over fifteen years. You’ve always trusted me, but I have to be honest, I’m getting worried. What’s going on? I know you haven’t talked to your agent or your editor in weeks. They’ve called me asking if I’ve heard from you. They think you’re out of your mind. Did you really reject an eight-figure contract?”
He had rejected the contract, but that wasn’t part of this discussion. “What did you tell them?”
“I lied. I told them it’s been radio silence.”
“Thanks.” He paused to gather his thoughts. “Look, I know you don’t agree with me. But I need you to look into buying the building. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that bookstore, or Jane, the woman who owns it. This is about a lot more than a building.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Zach could be pushy and in your face, but he was a good man. Dan trusted him. “All right, Danny Boy, I’ll look into it. You’ll have to tell me about the woman over a beer sometime.”
“Absolutely. Keep me posted.”
They ended the call and Dan felt like he now had a giant time bomb sitting in his lap. He had to tell Jane. She had a right to know what might be coming, even if it hurt. He’d do his best to keep it from happening, but right now, he wasn’t hopeful.
Chapter Twelve
What a day.
Jane flipped off the lights in the front of the store after a day of shopping the likes of which she’d never seen. As she fell into her desk chair, Tara and Tracy walked in looking as shell-shocked as Jane felt.
“Oh my God,” Tara said. “That was insane. Our daily total is ridiculous.”
Jane looked up. “How ridiculous?”
Stepping forward, Tracy dropped a hand on her shoulder. “As good as the entire week, starting with Black Friday, last year. We’re going to have a great season.”
This had been one of their best-attended festivals. Town was buzzing all day, merchants were busy, and kids found fun activities in almost every shop. Restaurants offered special treats and there was an incredible sense of closeness and community. People chatted with neighbors, had a meal at a large communal table, or shared a hot drink and a cookie by the harbor.
Tonight, Gina, the owner of the local candy shop, capped off the day with the lighting of the leg lamp. Just like in the classic movie A Christmas Story the lamp would watch over Main Street in all its smutty glory for the entire season.
It was fun and silly, and the entire street filled up with friends and visitors, the high school band, and the dance team. People dressed up, wore ugly holiday sweaters, shared cookies and other treats with their neighbors. The tradition dated back years now, and it just kept getting better. Then, all down Main Street, merchants turned on their store holiday displays. There was no official competition, but there was definitely a sense of pride in having people talk about a proprietor’s effort. And there were rivalries, some pretty heated.
Jane had kept the bookstore décor simple and classic with garland draped over the porch rails, white lights outlining the windows and roofline, and wreaths adorning the door and the windows. Inside, there were two trees, garlands, flameless candles, Santas, and snowmen.
The lighting of Harbor Park culminated with the multicolored lights decorating the giant spruce, the pathways, the dock, and the two gazebos. It turned their little slice of waterfront into a magical Christmas scene.
“It’s amazing, Mom. You might be able to do some of the renovations you were talking about.”
Jane could only nod. “Let’s get through the holidays before we make plans. We have plenty on our plates.”
Unlike years past when she’d always be thinking about her next move, Jane was hesitant to talk about anything beyond the immediate future. Tracy had talked to Elena, and she hadn’t heard a peep about the building. There was no logical reason for her not to jump at a new idea. But she was going to play it safe. Once the new lease was signed, then she could think about changes.
Jane heard a shocked intake of breath come from Tara. She was staring at her phone, eyes wide, her face blanched white. Jane’s blood ran cold thinking about what could have triggered the reaction.
“What? What is it?” Jane jumped from her chair and went to her daughter, her adrenaline surging as she wondered whom she