the others, didn’t speak of lost moments and missed opportunities; this kiss was about their future, it was a promise. It was a testament to her faith in him. In them. After all this time, Jane had her soul mate, and his warmth and strength spread through her like she was being wrapped in a lush blanket. Jane felt safe, protected, and loved. She felt so loved it brought fresh tears to her eyes.
Finally, Jane felt a gentle reminder that they weren’t alone. Chloe nudged between them, bringing them back to earth.
“That was nice,” he whispered.
“I could get used to it.” She could. Danny was a very skilled kisser. It made her wonder what other skills he might have.
“I want to show you something else. I don’t deserve it, but I need you to trust me. Will you come inside?”
At this point, she’d have followed him anywhere.
“I like what you’ve done with the place,” she teased. “You said you were going to make an apartment upstairs. What about the rest of the house?”
With her hand in his, Danny pulled her to the front door. There was an urgency, an excitement, to his movements and she was getting excited along with him. He was buying the house? In a million years she never would have thought he was going to buy a house. And one that needed so much work? That was even more of a shock. Something was up, and while Jane was happier and more hopeful than she’d been in months, questions still floated through her mind.
“I have a plan,” he said as he opened the door. “I’m curious to hear what you think. Whether or not it happens is totally up to you.”
They entered a large foyer with a grand staircase that curved its way to the second floor. A Christmas tree was set in the center of the space, soaring at least twelve feet in the air. It was decorated with white lights; glass globes of red, gold, and green; sparkling stars; and books. Books?
Blown glass ornaments of books in all sizes and colors dotted the tree. It was like an homage to her shop. Beautiful, festive, and joyful. It was lovely, and as sad as she was about losing her beloved store, this was truly a beautiful gesture.
“Oh, Danny. This is stunning. It’s beautiful. Thank you!”
“Thank you? Oh. The tree. Right. It looks nice, doesn’t it?”
“Nice?” It was way more than nice. He kept hold of her hand and pulled her down the hallway. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see. Come on.”
Before she could say another word, Jane entered a large open space that she realized ran from the front to the back of the house and in it was another beautiful Christmas tree, along with everyone she knew. Everyone.
The room was bursting. Among the faces she saw Claire, Viti, Robert from the pet store, and Gina. All of the local merchants had gathered, as well as the customers she’d known over the years who had become dear friends. This was her large extended family, here to say goodbye.
The bookstore meant so much to the town, it was gratifying to see all this love in one place. It was heartbreaking, but to be able to pay tribute to something that had been part of the fabric of Angel Harbor for so long was, indeed, touching. Jane would have thought she was all cried out, but tears started to leak out of her eyes.
In the crowd she spotted her mother and Tara, and Tracy with her family. Dan’s sister and brother-in-law were there with the kids. Jane pressed a hand to her heart and gazed around the room. Then, through the blur of tears, her gaze settled on a large sign attached to the wall.
New Home of Harbor Books
Coming Soon
“I don’t…I don’t understand.”
Then it hit her.
Jane’s breath left her lungs. She dropped Chloe’s leash and bent forward, the reality of what was happening hitting her all at once. He bought the house.
He bought it for her.
“I can’t believe you did this. I can’t…”
Stepping to her, Danny dropped a hand on her back and brought her back to standing. With her hands in his, he smiled, kissed her softly, and to her shock Jane saw the hint of a tear in the corner of one of his eyes.
“All of this? All the people? I didn’t do that—you did it, Jane. I bought the building, sure. But this is a partnership if you’ll have me, and this is the crew