The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,41

miss it.”

“Excellent.” Penny grinned, although her eyes glistened with emotion. Providing some levity, she asked, “Are you ready for the next clue? It’s a doozy.”

“Ready.” Kat joined her at the old-fashioned checkout counter as Penny retrieved the slip of paper from the pocket of her 1930s-style tweed suit.

“‘North, south, east, west, they stretch from sea to sea. But which direction is the best? It’s always number three.’” Penny glanced up. “I thought maybe it could be referring to the globe in my dad’s room. Or his collection of old nautical charts. Or perhaps the map of the world hanging in the living room. I briefly checked all three, but couldn’t find anything. I’m hoping you’ll have more luck.”

“Me, too,” Kat agreed, though the words tasted bittersweet.

Once she found the brooch, she’d have to leave a whole lot more behind.

Chapter 20

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Luke, Vick, and Reed, Jack scrutinized the Windsor house and the enormity of the project that lay before him.

Vick whistled. “It’s in worse shape than I thought.” As soon as the words left his lips, a hinge creaked in the wind. Coming loose, the decrepit shutter flopped to the side, dangling by the one hinge it had left.

Jack winced.

“The property isn’t much better,” Reed noted, surveying the barren landscape. Weeds appeared to be the only thriving foliage.

“I think it’s great.” Luke placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I wish I’d thought of buying Cassie an inn last Christmas when I was trying to convince her to stay in Poppy Creek.”

“I think it worked out okay, even without the inn,” Reed said with a grin.

“True.” Luke chuckled. “And the coffee shop is more her style, anyway.”

Fitz trotted over from the neighboring trees and dropped a stick at Jack’s feet. Kneeling down, Jack rubbed the dog’s head. Being back in the spot where they’d found the pup stirred Jack’s sentimental side.

“How does he get along with Grant’s dog?” Reed bent down to run a hand over his soft fur.

“They actually haven’t met yet. Vinny stays at Eliza’s place. But we hope to get them together soon.” Secretly, the idea of a double date with the dogs thrilled Jack. And he fantasized about life with Kat more often than he should.

While he hoped the inn would entice her to stay, it wasn’t his only reason for renovating the house. Being around Kat had made him realize how selfish and shortsighted he’d been letting the property go to waste. And whether or not she stayed, she’d inspired him to do more with his money and possessions.

Rising to his feet, stick in hand, Jack threw it into the tree line, smiling as Fitz bounded after it.

At the sound of tires crunching over gravel, all four men turned toward the approaching vehicle.

A large diesel pickup truck with Camden Construction emblazoned on the side rolled to a stop. A trim man in his early sixties climbed out of the driver’s seat, his sun-worn skin and fit frame hinting at his line of work.

A younger version of the man hopped out of the passenger side, his sturdy work boots and substantial build making a sizable imprint in the loose gravel. “Hey, Vick. Long time no see.”

The two men exchanged a side-hug greeting before slapping each other on the back and grinning broadly.

Although they couldn’t have looked more different—Vick was edgy and tattooed while his friend had a more wholesome, boy-next-door appearance—they were clearly good friends.

“Jack Gardener?” the older man asked, searching their faces.

Jack stepped forward and extended his hand. “That’s me.”

“Tom Camden. And this is my son, Noah.”

“I appreciate you guys coming out here on such short notice.”

“No problem. Business slows down in the winter. There isn’t a lot we can do in the rain or snow. But we can take a look at the place and get started on what we can, weather permitting. What kind of a time frame are we looking at?”

“The sooner the better, but I’m flexible.”

“Great. Let’s take a look at what we’re working with.” Placing a hand on his son’s shoulder, he said, “You and Vick check out the exterior, paying close attention to the roof. I’ll have Jack show me around inside.”

“You got it, Pops.” Noah flashed his father an affable grin, highlighting their easygoing relationship.

The contrast to Jack’s relationship with his own father wasn’t lost on him, and his footsteps felt heavy as he led the way inside.

Although the bones of the structure were solid, the interior damage was fairly extensive. As he showed Tom