by Irene Hannon
All at once, the shadows under her lower lashes registered. “Define red-eye.”
“I got on the plane in Texas last night at midnight. Had a long layover in San Francisco. Caught a flight to North Bend this morning. As soon as I booked everything, I contacted Stephanie. I wanted to surprise you, but I thought it best to let someone know I was coming.”
“You’ve been flying all night?”
“The trip was worth it for that kiss alone.”
“A mere preview of what’s in store during your visit.”
“Ooooh. Be still, my heart.” She fanned herself. “Frank would approve.”
“Speaking of my cheeky barista—how did he get involved?”
“I was planning to rent a car and drive down, but Stephanie told him I was coming, and he insisted on picking me up. Best of all? No paparazzi know where I am—not that they’re following me around much anymore. Now that last July’s trauma is receding into history—ancient history, by Hollywood standards—I’m old news.”
He stroked her silky cheek. “You must be exhausted.”
She inched closer. “Not anymore. That kiss was a first-rate wake-up call.”
No matter what she said, she had to be dead on her feet after a sleepless night and two flights. “You need a nap.”
“No way, no how. I’m not giving up a single minute with you.”
He’d debate that later.
“How long can you stay?”
She made a face. “Not long enough. I have to be back on Saturday afternoon. I’m leaving super early that morning.”
“So we have today and tomorrow.”
“For now.”
His pulse stuttered—and his hope surged. “What does that mean?”
She gave him a slow smile and played with a button on his shirt, letting the suspense build for a few moments. “It means that after the movie wraps, I’m coming back here.”
The cloud of worry that had been hanging over him for weeks began to dissipate like a Hope Harbor mist under the warmth of the sun.
Thank you, God!
“That’s the best news I’ve had in months. Years.”
“I hoped that would be your reaction.”
“Have you also decided what you want to do with the rest of your life?” Maybe she was only coming back here to think again.
She dispelled that worry at once. “I’ve decided to try my hand at being a chocolatier—and I’ve been watching the Hope Harbor commercial real estate from afar. Did you know the space next to The Perfect Blend is going to be available in the spring?”
“No.” How had he missed that piece of news?
“Yep. The older woman who ran that shop is retiring. I’ve already put—”
At the soft knock on his door, she fell silent.
“Zach?” Stephanie’s voice. “Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a timer going off in the kitchen. We have no idea what it’s for, and we didn’t want the turkey to burn.”
“I’ll be out in a minute.” His attention never wavered from Katherine. “We’ll pick this up later. In the meantime, let me introduce you to my dad.”
She touched her hair. “Give me a minute to get straightened out.”
“Have at it.” He motioned to the attached bath. “I’ll baste the turkey while you do whatever you think is necessary. But I kind of like the tousled look.”
“Your dad may not.” She rubbed her palms down her slacks. “Can I admit I’m a little nervous about meeting him?”
“Don’t be. I’ve done nothing but sing your praises.”
“No pressure there.” She rolled her eyes, retrieved her purse, and walked toward the bathroom. “I’ll be out in five minutes.”
After she disappeared behind the door, he slipped out of the room and took care of turkey business in the kitchen.
True to her word, Katherine joined him as fast as she’d promised.
“Ready to meet the family?” He twined his fingers with hers.
“No.” She drew in an unsteady breath. “I feel rumpled from all those hours in planes and airports. Maybe I should change. My bag is in Frank’s car, and it wouldn’t take very—”
“You look fantastic. Trust me.” He squeezed her fingers. “You already know Stephanie and Frank, and Dad’s mellowed over the past few weeks. Come on. I’ll be by your side for the duration.”
He honored his pledge—though as it turned out, his support wasn’t necessary. His dad turned on the charm, and Katherine in turn charmed him. By the time they all sat down to dinner, said a blessing, and dived into the feast, her nervousness had vanished.
Thanks in large part to the women at his table, there were no awkward conversational gaps during the meal either. The chatter was lively, the topics wide-ranging, the laughter abundant.
It was the kind of Thanksgiving he’d always dreamed of hosting in this house.
As the meal drew to a close, he set his napkin on the table. “Everyone ready for dessert?”
His query was met with groans.
“Let’s wait awhile.” Stephanie patted her stomach. “I’m not certain I can squeeze one more ounce in here—and I want to have a taste of pumpkin pie—plus one or two of those cranberry truffles Katherine brought.”
Zach transferred his attention to his unexpected guest. “You made truffles?”
“Yes. Earlier in the week, before our shooting schedule got rain delayed. I was able to arrange to get access to a kitchen for a few hours in Texas. I’m glad they didn’t go to waste.”
“Heaven forbid!” This from Stephanie.
“Shall we move to the great room until we’re ready for dessert?” Zach pushed back his chair, but Stephanie touched his arm.
“I’m all for heading back to that wonderful fire, but Frank and I would like to make an announcement first.” She covered the man’s hand with hers as she transferred her attention to him. “Do you want to do the honors?”
“It would be my pleasure.” He smiled at the small group gathered around the table. “I’m delighted to announce that Stephanie and I are engaged.”
Zach grinned. “Now that’s what I call an announcement. If I had any champagne, I’d break it out. Congratulations to you both.”
His father and Katherine added their own best wishes.
“When’s the big day?” His dad aimed the question at the happy couple.
“Between Christmas and New Year’s. We haven’t locked in a date yet. It depends on the availability of the church.” Stephanie glanced at Frank again.
“Go ahead.” He twined his fingers with hers. “I’ll concede the floor to you for part two.”
She gave the small group at the table a sweep. “There’s more news. You all know how involved Frank and I have been in the Hope House project. We realize the committee was expecting to find a younger couple to be houseparents, but we’ve spoken with the Helping Hands board and thrown our hat in the ring. We’ll be married before all the paperwork and final approval from the state are completed, and we can’t think of a more gratifying way to spend our retirement than by helping children get a solid start in life in a loving home.”
Zach stared at them.
The engagement announcement wasn’t unexpected.
But houseparents at Hope House?
It took him a few seconds to absorb that—and he wasn’t alone. In the wake of Stephanie’s announcement, there was dead silence around the table.
At last, his aunt spoke. “You think we’re too old to do this, don’t you?”
“Of course not.” His father responded at once, God bless him. “From what I’ve seen, you two have more vigor than most people half your age. You just took us all by surprise.”
“Convincing the board we’re up to the job could be a challenge, though.” Frank edged his chair closer to Stephanie’s and slipped his arm around her. “But we intend to give it our best shot.”
Zach’s vocal cords kicked in. “If you want a reference, you can count on me. I’ll attest to your boundless energ
y. And I think it’s a terrific idea. I may go out and buy that bottle of champagne yet.”
“I’ll happily settle for a truffle or two later,” Stephanie said. “For now, however, that fire is beckoning.”
After carrying their plates into the kitchen, they all retired to the living room—where Zach stayed close beside Katherine. Happy as he was to have the people he cared about most in the world gathered together on this holiday, he couldn’t help wishing he had her to himself.
As if sensing that three . . . or four . . . or five . . . was a crowd, Frank and Stephanie left not long after dessert. At the door, Frank offered to fill in for him tomorrow with Bren at The Perfect Blend—and Zach didn’t hesitate to accept.
A few minutes later, his dad retired to his room, claiming fatigue.
By eight o’clock, he and Katherine were alone by his fireplace.
“I think I’m responsible for breaking up this party early.” Katherine snuggled against him on the couch.
“I’m fine with that. Dad will be here ten more days, and I can see Frank and Stephanie anytime. Except . . .” He frowned. “Did Frank drive away with your suitcase?”
“Uh-huh. He’s dropping it at the Gull Motel for me. I managed to snag a last-minute cancellation.”
“Why don’t you stay here? Dad can be our chaperone.”
“But there’s only one guest room—and I don’t want you to sleep on the couch, which is what you’d offer to do if I stayed.”
“It would be a small sacrifice to have you close. Cancel the motel. I’ll call Frank and ask him to run back with your suitcase.” He reached for his phone.
She grabbed his arm. “Nope. It’s the motel for me. We can’t be together while we’re sleeping anyway.” A yawn snuck up on her, too fast to smother. “Whoops. Sorry.” She clapped a hand over her mouth.
Much as he’d like to spend the next few hours kissing and talking . . . and kissing some more . . . Katherine needed to sleep.
“I’ll take you to the motel. You can get a full night’s sleep, and we’ll spend all day tomorrow together.” He tried to disengage, but she tightened her grip.
“I’m not going to deny I’m tired—but can’t we stay here by the fire for a few more minutes?”
As always, she was impossible to refuse.
“If that’s what you want.” He urged her back against him.
With a contented sigh, she nestled close again. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be on this Thanksgiving Day.”
He stroked her hair, corralling the desire to launch a heavy kissing session. That could wait until tomorrow, when the woman in his arms wasn’t running on adrenaline. “Tell me about the chocolate shop you’re going to open.”
She complied, but as he asked her a few questions, she began to drift off.
He let her.
Whenever she awakened, he’d take her to the Gull so she could get some real sleep.
But for now, he was as happy as a seagull with a french fry just to hold her in his arms and give thanks on this appropriately named day. For he agreed with what Katherine had said a few minutes ago.
There was nowhere he’d rather be on this Thanksgiving Day.
And it was exactly where he hoped to be on every Thanksgiving Day to come for the rest of his life.
Epilogue
“Ready for the big day tomorrow?”
At the question, Katherine straightened up from the glass display case, polishing cloth in hand, and smiled at the man in the doorway who’d walked with her on every step of the journey from doodles on a paper napkin to hands-on renovations to tomorrow’s grand opening of Chocolate Harbor.
“As ready as I can be—and more than a little nervous.”
“After all the press you’ve gotten, you shouldn’t be. And the residents are chomping at the bit to support your business.” Zach continued through the door and shut it behind him, a wicker picnic basket in hand.
“What’s that for?” She motioned to the antique-looking hamper. “And why aren’t you at The Perfect Blend? Fridays are always super busy.”
“Shop’s closed for the day. Did you eat lunch?”
She twisted her wrist and gaped at her watch. “I can’t believe it’s two o’clock already.”
“I’ll take that as a no on lunch. Let’s go to the beach.” He lifted the hamper. “I owe you a picnic.”
“Now?”
“Why not? You’re ready for the opening. If you hang around here, you’ll just get more nervous.” He held out his hand. “Thanks to uncooperative weather, we never did get to reschedule our cancelled beach picnic from September, and this gorgeous May day is made for a celebration on the sand.”
“Sold.” She tucked the cloth under the pristine counter and circled around to join him. “Besides, I have another piece of news to share that also deserves a celebration.”
“Any hints?”
“Not until we’re at the beach.”
“Then let’s get this show on the road. Do you want to swing by your house first?”
“You mean Frank’s house. It still doesn’t feel like mine.”
“He may own it, but it’s yours as long as you want to rent it, now that he and Stephanie are ensconced as houseparents at Hope House.”
“I’m glad that worked out for them. They seem to be loving it.”
He switched the hamper to his other hand. “You know, it’s funny. All those years Stephanie was enmeshed in her career, I never thought of her as the motherly type. But from what I can tell, she’s thriving in the role—as are the kids under her and Frank’s care.”
“A perfect illustration of what love can do.”
“Speaking of love . . .” He swung the hamper out of the way and leaned down, letting actions speak louder than words.
As always, his kiss sent a ripple of delight through her.
She put her arms around his neck and held on tight.
In the end, he was the one who broke the lip-lock. “If we keep this up, we’ll never get to the beach.”
“I could live with that.” She didn’t relinquish her grip, letting him back up only a meager few inches. “It’s romantic here—or wherever you are.”
“Sweet.” He gave her his heart-melting, I’m-all-yours look that never failed to turn her insides to jelly. “But you could use a change of scene. You’ve been almost living in this shop for weeks, between the renovations and decorating and chocolate making.”
“It came out nice, though, didn’t it?” She pivoted in his arms to give the space a slow, three-sixty scan.
A large glass display case took center stage, with a small checkout counter beside it. Boxed chocolates were arranged on two long shelves that hugged one wall. The other wall was adorned with large photos of the various stages of chocolate production, from cacao trees and beans to tempering to the final product. The picture window in front offered passersby an enticing glimpse of the inviting retail part of the store, with its hardwood floor covered by a rug in jewel tones and a tiny table with two chairs—for patrons who couldn’t wait to sample their purchases.
The back of the shop, where the magic happened, was all stainless steel and high-tech, but up here the ambiance encouraged indulgence.
“Nice doesn’t come close to describing it.” Zach nuzzled her neck. “Spectacular would be more accurate.”
“Thank you.” She refocused on him. “By the way, I like your quote on the board out front today.”
“With a chocolate shop opening next to me tomorrow, I had to get in the spirit. Besides, a balanced diet is chocolate in both hands. Right?”
She grinned. “Right. Let’s hope enough people agree with that to keep me in business.”
“You already have a standing order at the tearoom. And Tracy at the cranberry farm was receptive to the idea of doing a joint promotion with her cranberry nut cake and your cranberry truffles, wasn’t she?”
“Yes. I’ve also got two custom orders for truffles as wedding favors.”
“And you
haven’t even opened your doors yet.”
“I know.”
“I predict you’ll have a booming business.” He took her hand. “Let’s go have our picnic before you’re too busy to hang out with the local barista.”
She squeezed his fingers. “That will never happen.”
His eyes warmed at her husky tone. “Hold that thought.”
“I intend to hold more than that. Those broad shoulders of yours are beckoning.”
The smoldering ember in his brown irises erupted into a blaze, and he tugged her toward the door. “We’re out of here.”
She followed without protest.
As she’d follow him wherever he wanted to go for the rest of his life.
That’s what happened when you fell in love with a guy who always put you first and never tried to control you. Who understood that you wanted a man to hold your hand, not hold you up—or try to push you the direction he believed you should go.
A man like that was worth following to the ends of the earth.
Fortunately, she’d had to go no farther than Hope Harbor—the very place that had felt like home since the first day she’d set foot in town.
Now it was home for always.
And unless she’d been misreading every cue during the unhurried courtship Zach had insisted on, in the not-too-distant future she’d be exchanging her current residence for a house overlooking Blackberry Beach.
One she’d have no trouble at all calling her own.
This was the day.
But as Zach waited while Katherine locked the door to the shop, doubts began to assail him.
Maybe this wasn’t the best timing.
Maybe he should defer his plan until after the opening.
Maybe he ought to—
“I hope that hamper is well stocked. I’m starving. What’s the main course?”
At Katherine’s comment, he gave her his full attention. With her infectious enthusiasm, caring heart, keen intellect, and killer sense of humor, she was everything a man could hope to find in a wife—and more.
And he wanted to start waking up next to her every single morning ASAP.
He quashed his qualms about timing. A month ago, he’d vowed to take the leap on the first day that was conducive to a beach picnic, and this was it.