The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,42

the deteriorating fixtures and crumbling walls, he asked, “Is the business just you and your son?”

“We have a crew of half a dozen guys. But my son is my right-hand man. I taught him everything I know. And I plan to pass him the reins when I’m ready to retire.”

Jack’s stomach clenched at the note of pride in Tom’s voice.

“I don’t think anything can make a father prouder than when his son wants to follow in his footsteps. When my eldest son told me he wanted to open a health food store, it was a hard pill to swallow.”

The knot in Jack’s stomach tightened.

“You have kids?” Tom asked.

“No, I don’t.” Although, he’d been thinking about the prospect of having a family more often these days.

“Ah well, it’s easier to understand when you have kids of your own. But as a parent, it can be difficult to separate wanting what’s best for your kids with your own ego. It took me a while to figure that out. Rather, it took me a while to listen to my wife.” He chuckled as he turned on the kitchen faucet.

Nothing happened.

Either the water had been shut off or the pipes were frozen, Jack wasn’t sure. But Tom didn’t seem overly concerned.

“I’m just glad my son was able to forgive my bullheadedness,” he continued good-naturedly, unaware of how his words affected his companion.

Clearing his throat, Jack nodded toward the rusty fixture. “Do you think it’s beyond repair?”

Tom smiled. “One thing you learn in my line of work… if it’s important enough, you’ll find a way to fix it.”

For a fleeting moment, Jack wondered if he meant far more than the faucet.

Kat and Penny had searched the globe and nautical charts to no avail.

Chip had even tried to help by chewing off a corner of one of the charts.

Kat had stifled her laughter as Penny wrangled the scrap of paper from his mouth.

Last but not least, they’d moved on to the map in a large ornate frame—the impressive, hand-carved kind Kat suspected should be in a museum encasing a Rembrandt painting.

Taking each side, they carefully lifted it off the wall and flipped it over, checking the backing for a tear or incision indicating there could be something hidden inside the canvas.

While they combed every inch, Penny said in an offhand manner, “I heard Ashley left town today.”

“Oh?” Kat’s heartbeat skipped, but she managed to keep her expression aloof.

“Apparently, she came by the diner last night looking for Jack, and Colt told her he was on a date with you.”

Feeling her cheeks flush, Kat kept her head down, focused on their task.

“He said that for the rest of the evening, she sat at a booth facing the front door, ordering gobs of food while working on her laptop until closing.”

Kat didn’t have to guess why, assuming she’d been waiting to see when Jack returned. If she were in the other woman’s shoes, she might have been tempted to do the same thing. “Do you think she wants Jack back?”

“It appears that way. But besides the fact that she left town after high school and never spoke to Jack or any of her friends ever again, Jack’s affections seem to be elsewhere.”

Kat’s blush deepened.

Penny paused her search, gazing at Kat with gentle concern. “Jack was pretty devastated when Ashley left. I’d hate to see that happen again.”

Kat sobered, realizing the weight of her sister’s words.

“So would I,” she murmured softly. “But no matter how badly I want things to work out, I don’t see how they can. His life is here, and mine…” Her voice fell away.

Over the last several days, she’d had a niggling feeling that her life in Starcross Cove was only a shadow of what it could be. Or perhaps more accurately, a shadow of someone else’s.

“I know,” Penny agreed mournfully. “And I wish I had a helpful answer. But I choose to believe a miracle can happen that will allow you two to be together.”

Kat smiled, tears stinging her eyes. Her sister sounded so much like Fern in that moment.

Sniffling, she said, “We’re going to need a couple of miracles. Because I don’t think the brooch is in here.” With a sigh, she leaned the frame against the wall.

Penny took a step back, studying it with a contemplative squint. “I feel like we’re missing something. Can you read the clue again?”

Kat plucked the slip of paper from the side table. “‘North, south, east, west, they stretch from sea to sea. But which direction is