Lucy stood on the cracked sidewalk, staring up at the sleek, modern building.
In comparison, she suddenly felt small and so very, very alone.
You can do this.
Raising her chin, she squared her shoulders, mustering every ounce of courage despite the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat.
What she wouldn’t give to hold Vick’s hand, to feel the weight of his palm against hers, to inhale the comforting scent of his presence.
She should’ve called. She should’ve done something, anything, to make things right.
Maybe it wasn’t too late.
Digging through her purse, she found her phone. Although he couldn’t be here in person, she longed to hear his voice. Even if only for a fleeting moment.
She unlocked the screen, startled by a thundering car engine. As she turned toward the source of the sound, a shimmering gold convertible slid along the curb, parking a few spots down.
A streak of sunlight glinted off the windshield, obstructing a clear view of the driver. He reached for something in the passenger seat, and seconds later, a jaunty red feather ruffled in the breeze above his head.
Unable to tear her gaze away, she watched him exit the vehicle, her heart pounding. The phone slipped from her hand, clattering inside her purse.
Clad in his Peter Pan costume, complete with fitted tights showcasing his muscular calves, Vick Johnson strode toward her.
Both hands flew to her mouth, barely muffling her gasp.
In mere seconds, he stood before her, his expression tender yet tentative. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
“To the party?” she asked with a small, playful smile, still unable to believe her eyes. Could he really be here?
“To everything.” His voice filled with meaning, he closed the gap between them.
Her pulse hummed, heat spreading through her as he held her gaze.
“I’m sorry, Luce. I was a coward who probably doesn’t deserve a second chance. But if you’ll have me, I want to be with you. For all of it, the good and the bad. And I’m never going to leave.”
“‘Never is an awfully long time.’” In a breathy whisper, she quoted the line from Peter Pan, her eyes brimming with happy tears.
“Not long enough.” In one swift motion, he gently gathered her face in his hands.
But there was nothing gentle about his kiss, both urgent and vital, like a life-saving breath.
Lucy lost herself in the indescribable sensations washing over every inch of her body, at once shivering yet flushed with warmth.
When Vick finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers and murmured, “I love you, Lucy Gardener. I love the way you smile as easily as you breathe. I love that you connect with others, truly seeing the heart of a person. I love the way you notice and appreciate the little things, like the smell of decaying leaves.”
She laughed softly. “And I love that you call them decaying leaves.”
His breath hitched, and she glanced up, meeting his gaze.
He searched her face, a hopeful glint in his eyes.
Tracing her fingers from his cheekbone down to his stubbled jaw, she confessed, “I love you, too. More than I ever thought possible. And I have a feeling it’s only the beginning.”
He captured her mouth again, oblivious to the strange stares lobbed in their direction from passersby.
In that moment, nothing else mattered.
She’d found her person.
And no matter what the future held, they’d choose hope… together.
Vick stared at Lucy’s hand partially hidden beneath his. Her long, delicate fingers gripped his more firmly than before. He couldn’t imagine what was going through her mind as they waited in the exam room for the results of the MRI.
Thanks to Dr. Dunlap’s personal connection, they only had to wait a few hours rather than days. Or even worse, weeks. How could anyone wait that long for such life-altering news?
Even now, his pulse raced, and his dry throat burned.
He couldn’t shake the ominous churn in the pit of his stomach, like something was seriously wrong. His own feelings of fear and loss aside, he’d do anything to shield Lucy from an ounce of the pain his mother must have endured during her illness.
Wasn’t that part of what made sickness and disease so cruel? The utter helplessness. The inability to lift the burden from your loved one.
A cold shiver shuddered through him, and he tightened his grip on Lucy’s hand.
Whatever the outcome, they’d go through it together.
He’d been given an incredible gift, no matter how much time they had left together. He still couldn’t believe she loved him in return, and wanted to be with him despite his shortcomings. For the rest of his life, he’d live in awe of this reality.
She squeezed his hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me, too,” he murmured, his voice raw and raspy.
“And you were right, by the way.” She smiled up at him. “I never should’ve tried to go through this on my own. Thank you for being honest with me.”
“I just wish I would’ve been more honest with myself,” he admitted. “Or at least, heeded my own advice.” He shifted on the stiff chair to face her. “I’ve been doing life on my own for far too long. And I’m taking big steps to change that.”
“You are?”
“Jack is letting me stay at the diner part-time until I settle into my new job.”
“New job?” Her eyes widened.
He couldn’t help a smile. “As a coffee roaster. Frank wants to retire to spend more time with Beverly.”
“He does? Oh, Vick, that’s wonderful news!”
Her enthusiasm radiated throughout the sterile hospital room, transforming it into a bright, cozy space. She had a knack for turning the most mundane location into the most spectacular spot in the world.
“I’m so happy for you. You’re going to be a fabulous coffee roaster. And Beverly must be thrilled. I don’t think any of us believed Frank would ever retire.”
“He’ll still be around to help out, but the accident was a big wake-up call for him. He realized life is precious and we can’t take a single second for granted. If something’s important to you, you have to make time for it.”
“I’ve realized that myself recently,” she murmured.
He leaned forward, sensing she had more to say.
“I’ve decided to continue with my YouTube channel,” she confessed after releasing a deep, pent-up breath.
“Oh, yeah?” He could feel the grin spread across his face. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she’d made the right decision.
“I resisted the idea for a long time, not sure how I’d make it work. Or if I even wanted to. But, do you remember Morgan?”
“The guest at the inn?” He wasn’t sure where this was going. The woman had always rubbed him the wrong way.
As though reading his mind, she laughed. “I know what you’re thinking. She wasn’t my favorite person, either. And it turns out, she was in Poppy Creek scouting me for a role on a reality TV show.”
“Really?” His heartbeat stuttered, and it must have shown on his face.
“Don’t worry.” She smiled. “I turned down her offer. I thought she’d be upset, but she took me out for a cup of coffee and gave me great advice on how to monetize my platform and refocus my brand.”
“You’re kidding.” He found a magnanimous Morgan hard to believe, but he did have a history of reading people wrong. Lucy being a prime example.
“I was just as surprised. She said it’s important for women in our industry to support each other. So, while she isn’t my favorite person in the world, I have a newfound respect for her.”
Once again, he admired her ability to see the good in people. “What changes did she suggest you make?”
“An entire overhaul.” Her eyes lit up with excitement. “I’m calling it Grow, with Lucy Gardener. Educate, motivate, and cultivate your best life with an emphasis on making a difference in the world. My first feature will be on Jayla Moore and the work she’s doing across the country. I hope to spread awareness and inspire others with a similar heart and mindset to join the cause.”
Her infectious energy brightened her entire countenance, and he couldn’t help leaning in for a spontaneous kiss.
When they finally broke apart, she breathlessly asked, “What was that for?”
“Do I need a reason?”
“No, I guess not.” She laughed, glowing with happiness.
“But I am proud of you, Luce. You’re going to do amazing things.”
“I don’t know about that.” Blushing, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I just figured I have a platform and a voice I can share with others. So, why not do something with it?”
“If you ever need a camera guy, you know where to find me.”
She grinned, and there was that kiss again, tucked in the right-hand corner of her mouth. He couldn’t get enough of it.
Cupping her chin, he leaned down, pausing when a throat cleared.
Dr. Patricia Stinwell stood in the doorway, clipboard in hand. “Are you ready for the results?”
Vick searched her stoic features, looking for a clue, a hint, anything.
But found none.
The air in the room shifted, no longer bright and bursting with possibilities.
Tension hung like a heavy cloud, making it difficult to breathe.
In the next moment, everything could change.