Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Simon helped Malcolm put together the remaining bookcases, and Josie could see how happy it made the two Sullivan men to work together, chatting easily as they did so. Fiona had brought by some pillows and throw blankets for the couches and the outside furniture, reminding Josie that even in summer, it could get cool outside. Fiona was a lifesaver in so many ways. But she hadn’t been able to stay, saying that she was working on yet another event for her husband and his clients.
When Josie went into the kitchen, she found Penny happily drying dishes and placing them inside the kitchen cupboards. Malcolm’s mother smiled at her. “We’re so pleased to hear the news. Simon and I both think you and Malcolm are wonderful together.”
Josie blushed, feeling like she’d received the greatest compliment. Alice hadn’t wasted any time telling the others about her and Malcolm. She wondered if that was why Penny and Simon had dropped by today—to let Josie know they approved.
Even Tom and Aria came by after school. Luckily, Josie had already shelved some children’s picture books that contained useful lessons for adults as well. She showed Aria the shelf containing Winnie-the-Pooh, The Little Prince, and The Velveteen Rabbit among others. But the one she reached for was a book that had been a childhood favorite of hers. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak was about managing difficult emotions, but it was also about the power of imagination, something she knew Aria had in spades.
While Tom helped the men, she and Aria went outside to a cozy nook Alice and Fiona had created. An old rosebush was blooming, now freed from the weeds that had surrounded it, and the pretty flowers Alice had planted that morning added splashes of color and fragrance. They curled up together on an old wooden bench that was comfortable thanks to Fiona’s cushions. A sundial caught the sun in one corner of the garden, and butterflies and birds seemed to love the garden as much as Josie did.
As they read together, Josie was filled with happiness.
After everyone had left for the day except Malcolm, she went back out and sat in another part of the garden. Alice had said this was an old kitchen garden, and she smelled thyme and rosemary and lavender.
She loved it here. Even more than that, she was falling in love with the people, with everybody she’d met and worked with. And especially Malcolm. She couldn’t deny what was in her heart, and being scared to risk again no longer felt like reason enough to keep her distance.
The truth was, she could go back to her old life in Coeur d’Alene, and she could continue to live exactly as she had. Or she could risk it all by moving here for an amazing new opportunity, shifting her career yet again to have more of a focus on Elderflower Island reading retreats. Maybe even to pursue what Malcolm had mentioned with the houseboats, something they could work on together.
And she could risk her heart. One more time. She could trust that the man she loved had changed. And that he was ready for more than he had ever let himself have, or had ever gone for in a relationship.
She took a deep breath, letting the idea of saying yes, yes to everything, sink in. Letting herself feel it.
She hadn’t heard him approach until he was sitting beside her. He reached out and threaded his fingers through hers.
“Nice spot you’ve created here,” he said.
“All of us,” she corrected him. “We’ve created it together.” She turned to him, knowing she’d made her decision. “I’m going to stay.”
She’d never seen his smile so big. “Thank God.”
She leaned in and kissed him. A soft, sweet kiss. One that was full of trust. Trust that she hadn’t thought she was willing to give. Until now.
“I should let Mari know,” she said a few moments later.
“She’s going to be absolutely thrilled,” he said.
“It’s exciting.” She took another deep breath. “I’m nervous, but I think I’m ready for this change.”
“And I’ll be beside you every step of the way,” he said. “We all will. Let’s go tell Mari in person.”
They kissed again, and then they locked up and headed off toward the bookstore.
Though it was after closing hours, the light was still on, and Mari was behind the computer near the register. When they knocked, she let them in immediately.
“Are you here to give me your decision?” she asked as soon as they were inside.
Josie smiled. “Yes. I’m going to stay.”
Mari threw her arms around Josie. “This is the best news ever!”
Owen appeared from the back of the store. “I take it your answer is yes?” he said to Josie.
“It is.”
He joined in the celebrations, saying, “I’m very pleased to hear that. You two, you’re going to be an unstoppable team.”