Driftwood Bay (Hope Harbor #5) - Irene Hannon Page 0,107
some physical distance between my business and personal life—and the Shabos were thrilled to rent the house. Plus, now that we’ve cut a walkway through the hedge, Molly and Elisa can go back and forth whenever they want. What’s better than having your best friend live next door?”
“Having her live in the same house.” His eyes softened as he leaned close to brush his lips over her forehead.
Her heart melted as she leaned into the kiss—which quickly intensified.
Hmm.
At this rate, they might miss their plane.
One of them should put the brakes on, but—
A knock sounded on the door.
Logan ignored it.
When the interloper rapped again, however, he eased back. “It’s probably the porter, come to get our bags.” He was close enough for his words to leave a whisper of warmth on her skin.
“We better answer.”
“Yeah.”
After a few beats, he released her. “I’ll take care of this. Meet me on the lanai for one last moment with our beautiful view?”
“And maybe one last Hawaiian kiss?”
“That could be arranged.”
She watched him walk to the door, then slipped outside, where the sweet scent of plumeria perfumed the air.
Leaving this magical place would be hard.
But as she waited for the man who’d banished the shadows from her life, she smiled.
Anywhere would be magic with him.
And no matter what tomorrow held, she had today—and the abiding love she’d found with Logan was a blessing that would sustain her all the days of her life.
Logan tipped the porter, accepted the man’s best wishes on his marriage, and closed the door so he could rejoin his wife.
Wife.
The corners of his mouth lifted.
It was still hard to believe.
But there was plenty of proof it was true. A marriage certificate. Wedding photos. An amazing honeymoon. And a large number of witnesses. Half the town of Hope Harbor had shown up at Grace Christian to watch them exchange vows.
Thank goodness he’d had the foresight to build optional unpaid leave into his contract with the urgent care center. He hadn’t needed it for Molly, as he’d half expected, but it had definitely come in handy for a two-week honeymoon a mere seven months into his tenure.
Well, a ten-day honeymoon and a four-day trip to Disneyland.
Jeannette’s idea.
He’d much rather have two full weeks in a tropical paradise with just the two of them—yet he loved her even more for her unselfish gesture.
As did Molly.
He pushed through the sliding door, his cell pinging with a text as he joined Jeannette.
She motioned toward it. “Are you going to check that?”
“I’d rather ignore it.” The longer he could keep reality at bay, the better.
“It may be from the airline. Could be a departure time change.”
If so, maybe they could carve out another few minutes here alone before the world impinged.
He pulled out his phone and skimmed the text. “It’s from Molly—via Thomma.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. She says, ‘I packed my suitcase for Disneyland. Me and Elisa are having fun. Toby is being good. I can’t wait to see Cinderella’s castle. I love you, Uncle Logan. You too, ’Nette.’”
Jeannette smiled. “She sounds happy—and excited.”
“Yes, she does. She’s a different child these days.”
“So is Elisa. She and Thomma seem to be on much better footing.” She slipped her arm around his waist, the rustle of palm fronds and the chirp of a myna bird the only sounds breaking the peaceful stillness. “It was kind of the Shabos to watch Molly while we were gone.”
“I know. Mariam is a wonderful nanny. And with all the inquiries she’s had from young parents, she won’t have any difficulty lining up more work once the girls start school next fall.”
“Thomma seems happier too, since he got that job at the high-end kennel in Coos Bay. Between that and the private dog-training clientele he’s developed, they’ve both found their niche.”
“A happy ending all around.” He tugged her into the circle of his arms.
“The best.” Her lips curved up.
His gaze dropped to them . . . and he dipped his head to— The phone pinged again.
Logan blew out a breath and closed his eyes.
“You better get it.” Laughter lurked behind her words.
“Yeah.”
Resigned, he pulled out his cell and skimmed the text. “Molly says she forgot to send us the photo Thomma snapped of the picture she drew.”
He clicked on the icon, and as the image filled the screen, he stopped breathing.
A woman with long dark tresses and a man with golden-brown hair were walking down a beach, a little girl with reddish locks between them. They were all holding hands, and a spotted dog trotted