by Maggie Finn
‘That was my ma’s favorite,’ said Noah softly. ‘I think she’d have wanted you to have it… because you were her friend,’ he said, his voice gravelly. ‘And because she would have wanted both of you to be happy. Today, of all days.’
The sky was already dark when they said their final goodbyes and took the patrol car back to Clover Cove. After Eliza’s unscheduled return to the guest house late on Christmas Eve, Mrs. Brennan had welcomed her like a prodigal daughter, giving Eliza her old room and adding one of her prized electric blankets. She had even extended an invitation to the festivities at Molly’s place on the Big Day, but Eliza had explained she’d have to see how it played out after The Plunge. As it happened, it couldn’t have gone better and as Eliza walked across the Square, her arm linked through Noah’s, she felt there was nowhere she’d rather be.
‘You know I’m proud of you, don’t you?’ she said, pulling him closer. Noah nodded.
‘I’m glad you’re happy, but you’re the one who should be proud of yourself.’
‘Me?’
‘Eliza, I’ve spent the last year being terribly childish and… well, without you pointing out what an eejit I’ve been, I’d have spent Christmas alone. And worse, I’d have ruined things for my da. And as you pointed out, he’s the one I care about most in the world.’
He stopped and smiled at her. ‘Almost, anyway.’
Eliza felt her chest swell.
‘Noah, I only wanted you to see what was right in front of you.’
‘I know and I’ll always be grateful.’ He bent and kissed her softly on the lips. ‘But I know what’s right here in front of me.’
Noah put a hand into his pocket and brought out another box, dark red tied up with a gold ribbon.
‘For me?’ said Eliza.
‘It is Christmas Day. Gifts are kind of traditional.’
Eliza shook the box gently and was rewarded with a slight jingling sound. Looking quizzically at Noah, she undid the bow and opened the box. Inside, sitting on a bed of scarlet tissue paper, was a bunch of keys.
‘Keys?’ she frowned, looking around. ‘Is my Range Rover back?’
‘Better,’ said Noah, taking her hand and leading her to the far side of the square. He stopped at The Font bookstore and gestured to the door.
‘You want me to open it?’
Noah nodded. ‘Go ahead.’
Frowning, Eliza slid the key into the lock, then stopped. ‘It’s not a surprise party is it? I hate those.’
‘Better.’
Eliza tensed as she pushed the door, but the only sound was the jingle of the doorbell. The shop was empty.
‘Happy Christmas, Eliza,’ said Noah.
‘What? Is the gift a book?’ Eliza was confused now.
‘The books, the shelves, the windows, everything,’ said Noah. ‘It’s all yours.’
‘Mine? But I don’t understand.’
Noah gently took her by the shoulders.
‘My ma owned the Font,’ he said. ‘When she passed away, she left it to me, but I had my hands full, so I asked Moira to run it on a temporary basis. But as I’m sure you saw, Moy’s more of an out-and-about kind of girl. So now I’m passing it on to you.’
‘Me? But I don’t know… I don’t know what to say…’
Noah looked into her eyes.
‘Say yes. No strings, no expectations. If you don’t like it, you can walk away, no questions asked.’
‘But I was expecting a scented candle or something. It’s so big.’
Noah laughed. ‘It’s not like I’m giving you Microsoft. Put it this way: if you sold all the stock, you might make enough to get back home to America. Maybe.’
She turned towards him. ‘But I am home,’ she said. ‘Wherever you are, that’s where I feel at home.’
Noah smiled, raising an eyebrow.
‘Then you had better close the door, hadn’t you?’
Eliza pushed the door shut. Then she turned the sign on the door from ‘open’ to ‘closed.’
Thanks for reading Snow Falls in Clover Cove – I hope you enjoyed it! If you’d like to be kept up to date on my newest Clover Cove releases and happenings in Clover Cove, sign up for the Clover Cove newsletter. You’ll also get access to the Maggie Finn members area where you’ll find exclusive content such as interviews and extracts. Click here to subscribe.
You may also enjoy the first book in the Clover Cove series, ‘Love Comes to Clover Cove’, which can be found here.
And the second book in the series, ‘A Secret in Clover Cove’ can be found here.
And the third book ‘The Little Café at Clover Cove can be found here.
And get ready for book five: A Love Letter from Clover Cove, coming soon! But you can get a sneak peak by signing up for Maggie Finn’s VIP mailing list by clicking here.
Thanks for reading! Maggie x