The Promise of Us (Sanctuary Sound #2) - Jamie Beck Page 0,117
Then he turned to Peyton. “Sis, how about you? You’ve been living here in a sort of limbo.”
“I’m not in limbo.” She frowned. “I’ve been busy with all of this, revising the manuscript, and preparing for my reconstruction surgery.”
“But are you happy? Are you chasing your dreams?” he asked, referring to her earlier pledge not to waste a single day.
Peyton shrugged. “Everything’s changed. I don’t look at the future the same way as you. I’m just trying to get from one day to the next. I no longer know what my dream is, so how can I chase it?”
“Maybe I could help.” Claire set her glass down on a tray.
“Oh?” Both Peyton and Logan turned curious gazes her way.
“Well, when I lost my way, I dug out our old Lilac Lane League binder. Flipping through those pages put me back in touch with parts of myself that I’d forgotten about. Maybe it’d help you rediscover things about yourself, too. I could drop it off tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Claire. I’d love to see it again.” Peyton’s voice cracked, and her eyes were misty. “Would you two excuse me for a second?”
Before they could answer, she’d ducked down the stairs out of view.
“I think you made her cry . . . happy tears.” Logan squeezed Claire. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but I didn’t do it for you. Well, not only for you. It’s time—really time—to forgive. Pat was right. In a backward way, Peyton did me a favor by getting Todd to show his true colors. And I’m so happy now, how can I stay bitter?”
“I love you more every single day.” Logan kissed her.
She nestled against him. “Good, because I have a request.”
“Should I be nervous?” He smiled.
“No. With going in and out of the city and taking the few trips to visit your dad’s inns these past two months, I’m feeling bolder. I was thinking, after the gallery opening, maybe we’d finally take our first big trip together, and I know where I want to go.”
His grin broadened. “I’m all ears.”
“You can’t guess?”
He thought for a moment, then remembered their conversation at the bistro. “The Seychelles.”
She nodded. The romantic honeymoon spot they’d talked about had drifted through her thoughts many times in recent weeks. They needn’t be married to enjoy it, although maybe someday . . .
“Done.” He smiled broadly. “And you said the romantic in you had died.”
“You revived it.”
“I’m glad.” He glanced at Ryan and Steffi. “I could never go back to the life I had before you, so don’t ever think about leaving me.”
“I won’t.” She kissed him. “Promise.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, I have many people to thank for helping me bring this book to all of you, not the least of whom are my family and friends for their continued love, encouragement, and support.
Thanks, also, to my agent, Jill Marsal, as well as to my patient editors, Megan Mulder and Krista Stroever, and the entire Montlake family for believing in me and working so hard on my behalf.
A special thanks to Jane Beiles, a wonderful photographer, who met me for coffee one day and not only taught me some basics about her profession but also gave me great fodder for developing Logan’s character. Also, thank you to Jason W. Nascone, MD, for his help in understanding the potential effects of Claire’s injury and postsurgical recovery. I owe Laura Sigg, a wonderful friend and fabulous decorator, for helping me come up with the new palette for Logan’s apartment, and for teaching me about Claire’s career. My sister-in-law, Brooke Simpson Beck, a former USTA Middle States–ranked youth tennis player, provided insight into Claire’s tennis competition history. And finally, a big thank-you to Ally Dunlap for sharing her journey with breast cancer so that I could weave Peyton’s story throughout this series.
I couldn’t produce any of my work without the MTBs, who help me plot and keep my spirits up when doubt grabs hold. I also have a new group of writer friends, my Fiction From The Heart gals, who’ve brought another dimension of support and encouragement to my life. I’m so grateful!
And I can’t leave out the wonderful members of my CTRWA chapter. Year after year, all the CTRWA members provide endless hours of support, feedback, and guidance. I love and thank them for that.
Finally, and most importantly, thank you, readers, for making my work worthwhile. Considering all your options, I’m honored by your choice to spend your time with me.