“You’re all set,” Paul said in a wrapping-up tone. “But Jack, have you been out to the property recently?”
“Yeah, why?” Jack twirled a pen between his fingers, unconcerned.
“It’s gone downhill over the years. It’s going to take a lot of work to turn it into someplace inhabitable, let alone an inn with paying customers. Not to mention a ton of money.” He paused before adding with a chuckle, “Not that you don’t have plenty of that.”
“Thanks for your concern, Paul. I’m willing to make the investment. It’s a worthwhile project.”
For more reasons than one….
As Jack hung up the phone, Vick ducked his head inside the office. “I thought you’d want to know Colt’s mumbling something about truffle butter under his breath.”
Jack shook his head in bemusement, in too good of a mood to be bothered by his friend’s latest culinary ambitions. “Keep an eye on him. If he starts talking about importing truffles from France, let me know.”
“Will do.” Vick saluted before taking a step backward. Then, he hesitated in the doorway as if contemplating his next words. “Was that phone call about the Windsor place?”
The pen in Jack’s hand stopped spinning. “How’d you hear about that?”
“It’s a small town.” Vick shrugged.
Jack knew that fact all too well, but his brooding, solitary cook usually kept to himself. If Vick knew about the inn, it was only a matter of time before Kat found out, too. And Jack wanted to be the one to tell her, but not until he’d made a little more progress.
“Don’t worry,” Vick told him. “I don’t think your girlfriend knows anything about it.”
Jack’s lips quirked. Girlfriend, huh? Kat was hardly his girlfriend, but he didn’t bother correcting him.
“I overheard a lady talking about it on the phone last night. She stopped by the diner looking for you. When Colt told her you were on a date, she stuck around for dinner. And dessert. I got the feeling she was waiting to see when you’d come back.”
Jack suppressed a heavy sigh, knowing exactly who Vick was talking about. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“About the Windsor place,” Vick continued. “I have some experience with construction, if you need any help.”
Now that Vick mentioned it, Jack remembered seeing something about that on his application when he’d hired him a few years ago. If he recalled, Vick had floated around from job to job after he got out of the military. “That’s right. You worked for Camden Construction, right?”
“Yeah. It’s a family-owned business. Great guys. I’m still friends with the son if you want a referral.”
“You know what, that’d be great.” The sooner he got started on renovations, the better. While he knew Luke would lend his woodworking skills and Reed would handle landscaping, he could use a professional construction crew.
“I’ll give them a call,” Vick offered. “Work is slow during the winter, so they may have some time.”
“Perfect. Thanks.”
Although Vick’s muscular frame filled most of the narrow doorway, Colt managed to poke his head over his shoulder. “Ashley’s here to see you.” His tone complemented his eye roll.
Tossing his pen on the table, Jack stood with a grimace.
Both men gave him sympathetic glances as he squeezed past them.
Ashley waited near the entrance, her sleek, all-black outfit matching her somber expression.
“I heard you’re looking for me,” he said in a friendlier drawl than usual. Kat’s words from last night had reminded him that he wouldn’t get very far living in the past.
“I just wanted to say goodbye before I head back to LA.”
Jack blinked, surprised by the news. “Okay, then. Hope you have a safe flight.”
“Thanks.” She turned toward the door, then glanced back. “Jack,” she said tentatively.
He repressed a groan, worried she wanted to rehash old wounds again. But he stood his ground, resigned to let her speak her mind, then address whatever he needed to in order to help them both move on once and for all.
Her dark eyes softened. “I don’t think you realize how much Lucy looks up to you. The very thought of disappointing… Well, let’s just say it’s not easy for her.”
Taken aback, Jack didn’t respond for several seconds. He hadn’t expected Ashley to bring up Lucy, let alone with so much concern and affection. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I’ll bear that in mind.”
She offered a thin smile. “Merry Christmas, Jack.”
“Merry Christmas, Tanner.”
Her eyes widened, knowing full well that he only called friends by their last name.
This time, she flashed a broad, genuine smile before striding out the front door.
As he watched her go, Jack’s chest expanded, as if letting go of his bitterness had suddenly made more room in his heart.
And he knew exactly how he wanted to fill it.
As Kat’s silver Toyota Corolla coasted along the scenic road leading into town, her heart felt light. Both because the picturesque view had become pleasantly familiar and because Fern’s comforting voice crackled through her car’s Bluetooth.
“I’m so happy you’re enjoying yourself, mija,” Fern said warmly. “Your sister sounds like a wonderful woman.”
“She is,” Kat said with complete sincerity. She didn’t add that Penny had turned out to be nothing like their mother, as she’d feared. “I should have responded to her letter sooner.”
She still hadn’t told Fern about the brooch.
Or Jack.
“Well, you’re there now. That’s what matters. Have you met anyone else during your visit?”
Kat shifted her grip on the steering wheel, biding her time. “Um… a few. Friends of Penny, mostly. Some other guests at the inn.” Before Fern could press further, Kat asked, “How is everyone at Hope Hideaway? I should be coming home soon. I miss you all.” Although the words were true—she did miss them—her pulse stuttered at the thought of leaving Poppy Creek.
“We’re doing just fine. A new woman joined us a few days ago. Ann. She’s lovely. And a real wonder in the kitchen. Her second night, she made a big pot of the most delicious soup. Pho, I think she called it.”
“That’s wonderful,” Kat told her, although her chest tightened. They were on the verge of closing and Fern was accepting new women into the shelter. Although arguably unwise, it wasn’t all that surprising.
Fern seemed to read her mind. “Don’t worry. It’s the season for miracles, remember?”
“I remember.” Her thoughts drifted to the brooch. She needed to focus, not fritter away her time with hopeless fantasies about a certain restaurant owner. Fern was counting on her.
She pulled into a parking spot a few spaces down from Thistle & Thorn and shut off the engine.
“It was good to hear your voice,” Fern said, sensing she’d come to a stop. “But don’t you worry about us. We’re doing just fine. Enjoy getting to know your sister. And anyone else of interest.”
Kat couldn’t help a smile at her subtle insinuation. “I will.”
After she exited the car, she paused a moment, taking in the town square. Most of the storefront displays were nearing completion and the entire town looked as festive as the North Pole. Her gaze rested on Jack’s diner and their mistletoe-covered arbor. While still beautiful in daylight, with its dripping greenery and red ribbons and bows, she knew it would look stunning at night, illuminated with hundreds of twinkling lights. And she couldn’t wait to see it.
She couldn’t wait to see Jack, either. But she needed to push those thoughts from her mind. If she wasn’t careful, spending time with Jack would preempt all other priorities.
As she neared the entrance to Thistle & Thorn, Kat admired Penny’s display. Her sister and her fiancé had arranged the front of the store to look like Santa’s workshop, but all the toys were vintage, gifting passersby with a nostalgic glimpse into their childhood.
“How was your date?” Penny asked eagerly the second Kat crossed the threshold.
“I don’t think it was a date, per se….” Her cheeks heated.
“Oh, it was definitely a date. Colt said Jack took you caroling at Clearwater Cavern. How was it?”
“It was breathtaking. I’ve never seen—or heard—anything so beautiful.”
Penny’s eyes took on a dreamy glaze. “It’s one of my favorite spots in the whole world. Colt took me to a classical concert inside the cavern last summer. In fact, it’s where we had our first kiss.”
For a brief moment, Kat wished she could say the same about her and Jack. But while there hadn’t been a kiss, she had felt closer to Jack after sharing more about her past. Their connection seemed to be growing all the time. But to what end? He couldn’t leave Poppy Creek and his thriving business. And she could never leave Fern and Hope Hideaway. They were doomed to part from the very beginning.
“You and Colt seem really happy together,” she said wistfully.
“We are. Although, don’t get me wrong, things aren’t always easy. We have our share of squabbles and obstacles. But when you find that person who makes it all worth it…” Her features settled in a blissful smile before she added wryly, “Now, if we could only figure out the wedding.”
“What are your plans so far?”
“None, really. We can’t decide when or where we want it. Or what style, what colors—anything.” She threw up her hands in exasperation.
“There’s nothing you like?”
“The opposite, actually. I have too many ideas and I can’t decide. While poor Colt doesn’t care about all the details. He just wants to get married as soon as possible.”
“That’s sweet.” Kat smiled. “Well, I’m sure, in time, everything will come together perfectly.”
“Thank you. I’m sure you’re right. And I hope, whenever we wind up getting married, that you’ll be there.”
“I wouldn’t 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.