The rest of the day passed in a blur. Josie had never worked so hard or so quickly on so many different fronts—the garden, the furnishings, and filling the bookcases Malcolm had put together with books and more books. The people who had signed up for the retreats were already emailing to ask questions about how it all worked and to give her their information on the kind of books that they loved, which meant that she didn’t have a moment to breathe until the sun had fallen and only she and Malcolm were left on the property.
They hadn’t had a chance to talk again since this morning, not even to eat alone together. His parents had dropped by with lunch and raved about how much they’d done. Penny took on the task of stocking the kitchen with snacks for the retreat guests. She pulled on rubber gloves and washed the mismatched china they’d found in the cupboards, and talked about stocking the brand-new fridge with juice, water, and soft drinks.
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.”
Josie was so thrilled to have met Mari. And to be part of a team with her.
“We have to open a bottle of bubbly!” Mari announced.
Owen was already headed up the stairs. “That’s exactly what I’m going to get now.”
He was back shortly with four glasses and a bottle of champagne.
“My agent sent me the champagne as a gift after Mars at the Beach was published,” Mari said, “and this feels like the right time to drink it.”
Mari popped the cork and then filled four flutes, handing them out. “To our amazing new adventure together,” she said. “And to Josie moving to England.”
They clinked glasses and drank.
Then Malcolm held up his glass again. “There’s something else we have to celebrate,” he said. He looked at Josie as if to get her permission, and she nodded. “We wanted to let you know that Josie and I are together.”
She knew he’d specifically asked Alice not to tell Mari and Owen, as he and Josie wanted to tell them.
Mari’s eyes got big. “Like together together?”
Owen didn’t say anything, simply looked between the two of them as if waiting for confirmation.
“Yes,” Josie said with a smile. “Together. A proper couple,” she said, echoing the way Malcolm had put it just a short while ago.
They all clinked again and drank.
“Your head must be spinning,” Owen noted.
She couldn’t help but wonder at Owen’s slight reticence. Why he didn’t seem completely overjoyed by the news that she was dating Malcolm. Was he worried that something would happen between them that would interfere with her business relationship with Mari? That was a valid concern, actually. Still, she was intent on pushing those worries away. She’d made her decision to risk, well, everything. And now that she’d decided, she was going to stand by it. No matter what.
* * *
While Josie and Mari remained in the bookshop to have a meeting about the upcoming retreat, Malcolm and Owen went upstairs to the flat above the shop and sat in the comfortable armchairs by the window.
“A proper relationship, is it?” Owen said. “I’m as pleased as can be, but you’re hard on women.”
Malcolm nodded, trying not to be defensive. Of course he understood why his brother would have doubts when Malcolm had been anything but a relationship man before now. “She’s different. She’s special.”
Owen nodded. “I agree with both of those things. The question is—is that enough for you?”
Malcolm’s jaw tightened. “Of course.”
Owen said nothing for a few long moments. “I hope so. I think she’s good for you. Really good. We all think that, as you know. I would just hate to see things turn sour.”
“I’m not going to let our relationship affect her working relationship with Mari, if that’s what you’re concerned about,” Malcolm stated.
Owen shook his head. “No, you take business a lot more seriously than that. I’m sure you’ll go out of your way to make sure that nothing you do, or don’t do, negatively affects either Josie or Mari. And I can’t tell you how much Mari appreciates the help that you’ve given on the cottages. You’ve been a lifesaver for her. Both of you have.” He paused again, for just a moment. “This has happened pretty fast, that’s all. I want to make sure you’ve thought it through.”
Malcolm worked to keep his expression and body at ease. “Things were fast with you and Mari too. And it’s not like you didn’t have any issues or damage going in.”
“You’re right, it was quick. But I knew it was right, from the start.”
“Then you get it,” Malcolm said. “It’s how I feel as well.”
“Good,” his brother said, looking relieved. “If you need anything, want to talk anything through, anytime, I’m always here.”
“Thanks,” Malcolm said, a little gruffly as he was hit with a swell of emotion. He knew his brother wasn’t just looking out for what might happen to Josie if he ended up changing his mind about having a “proper relationship.” Owen was also concerned about him. They were all close, he and Owen especially, as they were the oldest and so close in age. They’d banded together so many times over the years. And yet, he’d never spoken to his brother, or any of his family, not even his mother, about finding his father in the black pit of emotional despair all those years ago.
A part of him considered bringing it up now. But that was water under the bridge. Long-past history. And he was completely over it. Getting together with Josie was just more proof that he’d healed from the trauma of finding his father, the man who’d always seemed like a rock, shaking and crying, drinking whiskey straight from the bottle. That had shattered something in the teenage Malcolm, some sense that he could trust another human being fully.
The two women came back, and Owen poured them all refills. The celebrations continued with takeout Chinese. It was another hour before Josie and Malcolm headed back to the houseboat. He wanted to prove to her, prove to Owen, prove to all of them, that he was making the right decision. And that he wasn’t going to let anyone down. Yet again, he found he didn’t have the words.
But he could always show Josie how he felt with his lips and his body and pleasure.