Christmas in Angel Harbor - Jeannie Moon Page 0,87
strong for everybody.”
“I know.” He reached out and took her hands in his. “And every single person you touch is better for it. I know I am, but who’s going to take care of you, Janie?”
Her breath hitched, and tears slowly found their way down her cheeks. Danny didn’t wait any longer for her to come to him; he took hold and pulled her in.
“I don’t have words to express the impact you’ve had on people, but you need to lean on those of us who love you. We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere.”
She turned her face into his hard chest and tried to absorb what he’d just said. Her breathing was coming in great gulps, the cold air feeling heavy in her lungs. “I was so blind—I knew what was coming, whether you told me or not. It was easier not to admit it. I feel like such a…a failure. Like I let everyone down. I don’t know if it’s logical, but that’s how it is.”
“You’re not a failure. You are the furthest thing from it.”
She held on to him, unsure if she could stand on her own. His warm body provided so much more than physical support. He was her person. He’d always been her person and she was so very grateful to have him back.
“Janie,” he whispered, “you didn’t fail. The building being sold is awful, but that wasn’t your fault.”
“Why does it feel that way?” She sniffled and held on to him like a buoy in a storm. He was her anchor, her lifeline, and only now—with the snow falling and the lights shining—did she understand how much she needed him.
“You’re so tough on yourself.” He rubbed her back, soothing her without any judgment.
“It’s special, Danny. There’s something magical about it, and now it’s going to be gone.”
“People adapt, Jane. We learn and grow. Look at me. But there’s no blame here. Nothing we did, or could have done, would have changed anything. It sucks.”
“You don’t think so?” She looked up at his kind eyes.
“Nah. It was a done deal when I found out right after Thanksgiving. It doesn’t change that I should have told you, though. I messed up.”
People often apologized because they had to. Danny apologized because he meant it.
“I want to help,” he said quietly. “Will you let me?”
“I love you. So much. I shouldn’t have pushed you away. I just felt so helpless.”
“Jane Fallon, you are many things, but if I’ve learned anything, helpless is not one of them.”
They stood there, with the dog between them, holding each other tight. Jane didn’t know how long it was before she opened her eyes and once again caught sight of the house behind him. It was almost a hundred and fifty years old and showed its age, but with the big windows, a wraparound porch, and gingerbread trim, the house had amazing character and great bones. It was large, set on a decent-size lot for this part of town. It had been a law office at one time but it hadn’t been occupied for several years.
“Do you want to tell me what’s up with the house?”
“House?”
“Yeah, you know. The one behind you?”
“Oh, right. That house. Let’s talk about that.” He took a deep breath and stroked a finger across her cheek. “I bought it.”
Shocked was an inadequate description for what she was feeling. If he had dropped a case of books on her head, she wouldn’t have been more surprised. “I’m sorry. Did you say you bought it?”
“It’s going to contract right after Christmas. I need a place to live when I’m here, so I’m going to convert the top floor into an apartment. It’s huge.”
Live here?
“You’re still planning on staying? Not going back to Hawaii like your agent said?”
“Only to pack,” he said without any hesitation. “Would you be okay with that, though? If I stuck around?”
He was really staying? “Are you sure? It’s not very exciting here.”
“You’re here. I want to be wherever you are. But if you’re having second thoughts about us, if you want some distance, just tell me. I screwed things up so badly, I’d understand. But I’ll wait for you. I will.”
“You’re staying, you’re really staying?”
“I don’t want to leave you again. I meant what I said.”
Without another second’s hesitation, Jane took his face in her hands and kissed him. She tasted his supple mouth, absorbed his now familiar scent, and for the first time, Jane had no doubts. It was magical. It healed. This kiss, unlike