Christmas in Angel Harbor - Jeannie Moon Page 0,84

loved him since you were in high school. Your feelings are older and quieter now, but he’s your guy. He’s always been your guy. You just need to accept it, and then you can figure out how to move past what happened.”

“I wouldn’t forgive him. He should have told you.” Viti didn’t have any of Tracy’s sentimentality, or Claire’s softness. Three days ago, Jane would have agreed with her. Now, she was weighing what she really wanted.

“I guess I have to figure out if he’s worth the risk.” The last month had been magical. The years and distance between them melted away, revealing feelings that sparkled like something precious, but also grounded her like a strong anchor. How she felt about him was calm and settled, completely different from the desperate yearning of her twenties.

Not that it mattered, because right now, her heart ached. Losing him was the worst part of everything that had happened and Jane wondered if there was enough magic in the universe for her to get him back.

Chapter Seventeen

With bookstore customers, Christmas Eve was always hit or miss. Usually it was pretty quiet, but today Jane had seen a flutter of activity right before closing. A man had just come to town on a surprise visit to see his parents for the holiday and he had no presents for his folks, his siblings and their spouses, and nothing for his passel of nieces and nephews.

Jane was able to take care of all his gift needs and wrap every last present. He’d just left a very happy man and promised he’d be back next year for help with his list. He’d need more presents next year, he told her. Two of his sisters were expecting.

Jane smiled, even though the thought of next year wasn’t of twinkling lights and happy customers, but a great empty void, an existence without the colors and light of all the Christmases past.

Still, the man’s visit had been refreshing. Not being a local, he didn’t know the store was going to be closing by February 1st.

Three days ago she signed the agreement with the new owners to move out a month early. It was no small amount of money they’d offered, but she still hadn’t deposited the check, not quite ready to make it final.

It was a nice break that her last customer of the day hadn’t offered condolences, or platitudes. He was just concerned about getting gifts for the people he loved. It was actually the perfect ending to a day that had been incredibly sad.

With a light snow falling, and the afternoon light beginning to fade, Jane decided to close for the day. It was Christmas Eve, and whatever was happening to her personally, she had her family at home. She and Tara and Mom would go to midnight mass and then tomorrow have Tracy’s whole family for Christmas brunch. She was looking forward to their traditional gatherings, even though the day wasn’t going to include the man who had stolen her heart.

Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, Jane had been right to be concerned about her growing feelings for Danny. Completely in love with him, she was broken-hearted knowing it was over, and she had no one to blame but herself.

With a flick of her wrist she turned the sign on the door to closed and threw the deadbolt to make sure no one else wandered in.

Tracy, who usually worked the morning of Christmas Eve, had asked for the day off. Her kids and her parents were back in town, and she was hosting everyone for Christmas Eve dinner.

It would be a good time if Jane could shake the headache that had been annoying her since this morning with its dull, persistent throbbing.

She put the cash in the safe, powered everything down, and resolved to come in early the day after Christmas to square up the books. It would have been easy enough to do the ten minutes of bookkeeping, but it could wait. Other than her last customer, there had only been a few sales, and it was time for her to go home. Chloe obviously agreed, as Jane’s canine friend was waiting by the door, leash in her mouth, ready to take her walk.

Thankful she hadn’t driven today, Jane stepped out into the cold Christmas air. Filling her lungs with a deep breath, she hoped the time outside would clear her mood and help her shake off a very annoying headache. It was only four o’clock, but with the shorter