by Jeannie Moon
Cold be damned, he thought. In defiance he sat in one of the rocking chairs on the bookstore porch. The bite from the wind, the draw of the icy air into his lungs was a shock, a fantastic natural jolt. From where he sat, he had a bird’s eye view of Main Street with all its emerging Christmas finery. The town started off by wrapping the antique-style lampposts with pine garlands and topping each with a deep red bow. Every tree, no matter what type, was being decked out with lights. As Jane had noted, it wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet. This was going to be some party.
His mind drifted to the night before, when Jane confided in him. Whatever her dreams had been, the bookstore was her life now and it was easy to see that she put her whole heart and soul into making it a success. Logically, he knew she probably had nothing to worry about regarding her lease. The landlord could easily see that the building was in great hands. Jane and all the Fallons who came before her pumped a lot of money to keep the timbers in the old place strong. Danny wondered if he should offer to have his people check things out with her landlord. Maybe that would take a little pressure off. That way Jane could focus on her daughter and her business. It was a small thing he could do to help. The time he’d spent here recently showed him exactly how important Harbor Books was to the town, and to him.
She’d created something special. Sure, her father ran a great shop, but Jane? The place vibrated with her goodness. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, the bookstore was Jane’s destiny, and Angel Harbor was better for it.
Lost inside his own head, Dan didn’t notice that someone was standing next to him until a steaming mug of coffee slowly passed under his nose. Turning his eyes in the direction from whence the coffee came, he saw Jane. With her hair lifted gently by the chilly breeze, she was snugly wrapped in a plaid blanket shawl to ward off the cold.
“Thank you.” It was all he could mutter. She was a goddess. A beautiful goddess who gifted him with caffeine.
“You look like you have a lot on your mind,” she said.
That was an understatement. “You know us writer types,” he said. “We’re always thinking too much.”
“I’ve heard something about that. Is that who you are? The brooding artist?”
“I don’t know about brooding,” he said. “I’ll take thoughtful, even contemplative, but I don’t brood.”
Jane smiled that beautiful smile, the one that went clear to her eyes, and Danny felt his stomach do a little turn. She was still the prettiest girl he’d ever met. Her slow, deliberate movements were so graceful, it was like watching a dancer. She sat down in the chair next to his, crossed her legs, and started rocking. Back and forth, back and forth, the rhythm was hypnotic. She didn’t say anything, just lifted her chin and looked out at her town.
“I had a nice time last night,” she said. “I got the third degree when I got home, but it was a lovely evening. Thank you.”
“Who debriefed you?”
“My daughter. First she gave me a hard time about going out and not telling her where I was, who I was with, or when I would be back. Then, she started asking all kinds of questions about our dinner.”
He took a sip of his coffee and watched her expression carefully. Jane was being very cautious about what she revealed to him. Interesting. What was her game?
“What did she want to know?”
Jane took a deep breath, and he damn near died when she started chewing on her lower lip. “She wanted to know if our dinner was a date.”
“Ah. What did you tell her?”
She smiled and turned her gaze in his direction. Bright and happy, Jane’s eyes opened her heart to the world. Danny could watch her all day.
“That I’m not really sure. That’s the most honest answer I could give. She had quite a few specific questions that seemed to bring her to the conclusion that it was, indeed, a date.”
Danny leaned back in the chair and started to match Jane’s rhythm, moving back and forth, the gentle motion lulling his brain. There was something very intimate about this time they were having together. It felt similar to the embrace they’d shared last night.
“For what it’s worth,” he said, “I think it was a date. Our first official one, and long overdue. For the record, I had a wonderful time as well.”
“I see.” Jane’s cheeks turned pink, and he wanted to think it was a reaction to what he said, but to play it safe he was going to blame it on the cold. “I’m still not so sure.” Her voice had a light, flirty lilt that was musical. It was incredibly attractive. He could listen to her all day.
When Danny looked over, he found her staring at him, a tiny grin on her lips. “Why aren’t you sure?”
“I don’t know. It felt like something was…missing.” She stopped rocking, and stood, pulling her wrap tightly around her. “Don’t stay out here too long—it’s cold.”
“I won’t. I’m just going to soak in the morning for a while.”
Jane dropped a hand on his shoulder and let it stay there for a moment. Through his jacket he could feel her kindheartedness, her energy. Everything about her seeped into him and jolted his body with awareness. The woman was dangerous.
“I was thinking about ordering lunch later rather than eating the yogurt I brought with me,” Jane said as she reached the threshold. “Would you like me to add something for you?”
“That sounds good.” Danny’s eyes were fixed on her. She held the doorframe with her hand, leaning in almost, with one foot inside and one foot out. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, giving her skin a young, dewy quality. Her hair, with its many different shades of gold, caught the morning light, creating an aura that glowed and swirled around her like an ethereal crown. How was it, with all the years behind them, Jane was even more beautiful than she was at twenty-one? Maybe it was the years that made her so luminous. The inner wise woman was proving to be more attractive than any ingénue he’d ever dated. That was the moment that Danny realized he had it bad.
He’d always had it bad for her.
“If you have some time today, I’d love to talk to you about my book. I’d really like your opinion about my story idea.”
“Really?” Jane smiled. “I’d be happy to. We can chat over lunch.”
“Perfect.”
With a nod, Jane stepped inside and let the door shut behind her. Danny kept his eyes on the entry, even after she moved out of view.
What the hell was he going to do?
Danny directed his gaze back to the street and let himself drift back to the way she felt when he held her the night before. There was something so right and natural about it, and for the first time in ages, the idea that he didn’t have to spend his life as a confirmed bachelor crossed his mind. Who would have thought at fifty-one he would finally grow up?
Convincing Jane that they should see where things could go might be tougher. He didn’t have a great history to fall back on. She was tied to the town, and he never saw himself here for the long term. At least, he never had. Past tense.
Now he wasn’t so sure. There was an appeal to settling down in a place where he could blend in and be part of something steady and safe.
Holding the mug in both hands the heat softened his edge, just like Jane. Holding her in the light November snow had brought him a sense of calm, when Dan was never calm. He looked up at the sound of footfalls on the porch steps and was greeted by the smiling face of a woman, about his age, with a shoulder-length strawberry blond bob. He got the distinct feeling he should know who she was.
“Hey there, Danny Gallo.” She smiled, her pale blue eyes twinkling in the morning sun. “I almost didn’t recognize you without your notebooks and computer.”
How did he know her? She’d called him Danny, so they went way back, but he was drawing a blank. “Wow. Hey! It’s nice to see you.”
Narrowing her eyes, she shook her head slightly. “You have no clue who I am, do you?”
He was the worst liar. How he made stuff up for a living, he’d never know. “I—” This was not go
ing to work. “I’m so sorry. I know I should.”
“We went to high school together. I’m Tracy Kelly. I was Tracy Neilsen in school. Jane and I were, still are actually, good friends.”
Of course. She and Jane were very close, but she looked different. Then again, thirty years could do that to a person. “There’s no excuse. Of course I should know you. You were the best backseat driver I ever had.”
“Ha! You do remember me!” Tracy laughed at his description, so he could relax about not remembering her right away.
“I really am sorry. I should have recognized you. Here to see Jane?”
“Actually—” she shrugged “—I work here.”
“Wait. What?” That blew him away. Was he completely oblivious?
“Yep. Full time.”
“Now I feel dumb.” Why hadn’t he noticed her? “I’ve been here pretty consistently…”
“You’ve been a little busy. Jane filled me in. I figured I’d leave you alone. Once I get talking…” He remembered. Tracy could talk. And talk.
“I am sorry, though. I totally zone out when I write. I’m like a zombie.”
“I could see that. It’s kind of cool to watch. It’s like a cross between laser focus and obsession.”
He chuckled at her spot-on assessment. There was something kind and decent about this woman. Dan remembered how she and Jane were like sisters in high school. It was nice to see friendships that lasted over the long haul. “That’s accurate.”
“Can you give me a hint about the next book?” Tracy giggled. “I’m a total fan.”
“You might be disappointed then. I’m not writing a thriller.”
Her face froze. This was how his fans were going to react. “No? Wow. I feel like I have the scoop of the century.”
“I don’t know how it’s going to be received. That’s all.”
“Pssht. Your fans will follow. Good for you for trying something new. That’s so exciting. I’ll read anything you write.”
“That’s good to know. I’m a little worried that not everyone will react like you do.”
“Some won’t like it, but you’ll reach other readers who haven’t read your thrillers. There’s no downside to it. You just have to give it your best.”
“You sound like a mom.”
“Three kids, all grown up. I consider the fact that they survived to adulthood a major accomplishment.”
Danny laughed. “I’m staying with my sister and her family while I’m in town. That is a huge accomplishment.”
“Damn right!” she exclaimed. “Well, it was awesome chatting, but I’m going inside before I freeze my buns off. Let me know if you need anything.” Tracy folded her arms across her body to ward off a stiff breeze that bit into them. “Ack, it’s cold. Lately it’s like I have no blood. But I mean it, just ask. Anything you need.”
He couldn’t help smiling. “Thanks, Tracy. I appreciate it.”
She smiled, and it was as welcoming as every day he’d spent in Angel Harbor. People were just nice here. It wasn’t perfect, not by any stretch—the town had its issues. There was some petty bickering going on between town officials. One of the longtime store owners didn’t like all the changes being implemented around the holidays, and he stopped into the bookstore almost daily to grumble at Jane. But overall, it was a peaceful place, and he’d acclimated far more easily than he thought he would.
He’d scribbled pages and pages of dialog over the past few days and now that he’d fleshed out a plan, he was ready to start building his early chapters. His process was convoluted, but for the first time in a while, Dan felt comfortable with it. Over the years he’d been tweaking and changing how he wrote based on his publisher’s needs, his editor’s advice, or his agent’s prodding. From plotting every little twist and turn, dictating, using different methods to build characters—he listened to all the outside voices, and each time his books got further away from who he was.
It was like he told Tara the night he found her agonizing over her story; it was about the passion the writer brought to the work. An author owed the reader his truth.
His new book was going to do just that, and he was more certain than ever that Jane was going to help him find his way there.
*
The bookstore always put up two Christmas trees. One in the main area of the store, near the café and one in the children’s room. The tree in the children’s room was traditionally decorated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving when any child visiting the store was invited to make an ornament to hang on the tree. They served hot chocolate, cider, and cookies, and the space would be buzzing all day. It was one of her favorite days of the year, not because they sold a lot of books, but because the good will and holiday cheer permeated the shop. It all led up to the Harbor Lights festival that night. She was at her desk, ordering the supplies she would need for the ornament stations when a small knock made her look up. It was Tracy.
“Is everything okay?” Jane asked.
“Running like clockwork. I checked all the lights for the big tree—we’re good there—and I grabbed the outdoor lights while I was in the basement and brought them up. We can get going on that project as soon as your uncle and the guy you hired get here.”
Uncle Joe was going to put up the lights a week ago, but it had been too cold, so Jane finally hired a landscaper who was doing decorating during the off-season to do the actual light installation. Her uncle could supervise from the ground. “Thanks. I just ordered a gross of markers, stick-on stars, and glitter glue. The pinecones were ordered last week.”
“It’s going to be so much fun. I love watching the kids work. Will we have enough help?”
“Yes. The English Honor Society from the high school will be here. They’re doing shifts to help the kids who come in. They’re also doing a wrapping table. Free gift wrap on all in-store purchases, but people can donate what they want for the service.”
“Awesome. I think we’re ahead of schedule.”
“We’re getting there. Oh, can you help me set up the mailbox tomorrow? I expect we’ll be seeing some Santa letters very soon.” She knew there would be at least three coming in the near future.
“I’ll put it on my list. Is that it?”
“I, ah, I think so.”
Tracy narrowed her eyes for a second, before she pulled up a small chair and sat down with a plop. “Okay, girlfriend. Give it up. I’ve known you for too long not to have noticed that you are not yourself, even after having a hot date last night. What’s going on? Is everyone okay? Are YOU okay?”
Of course she was okay. Everyone in her family was healthy and happy. Her business was doing well. She had good friends. But Tracy knew her better than almost anyone, so she’d obviously picked up on Jane’s uneasiness.
“I’m fine, and I wouldn’t exactly call it a hot date.” Now she was lying. Never a good look on her. There might not have been a lot of sizzle between her and Danny, but there was definitely heat.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. Something isn’t right, Jane. Is it Tara? Your mom?”
“Everyone is fine!”
“Right.” Tracy leaned back in her chair, frustrated. “I’m not clueless. I was going to come in here and harass you about Mr. Gorgeous Author out there, but you’re preoccupied. What’s going on?”
Did she tell her? There was no concrete reason for Jane to be worried. It was pure speculation.
“I guess I’m thinking too much about next year. Tara and Mom will be off on their respective adventures, and…I don’t know, something has been bothering me for the last month.”
“What? A disturbance in the Force? You could just be distracted by Danny.”
“No, that’s not it.” She took a deep breath. “It’s probably nothing, but I haven’t received my new lease yet. Normally, I’d have it. It’s been eating at me and I don’t know why. Danny said not to worry…”
“Danny said?” Tracy’s eyebrow shot up as a grin teased the corner of her mouth. “What did Danny say?”
“Stop it.” Tracy’s playful tone actually made Jane shiver a bit as she remembered the walk she took with him in perfect detail. “He said not to worry. There’s plenty of time, and there are a thousand reasons it could be held up.”
“But?”
“I dunno. It’s not right.” No matter how many times she reassured herself, Jane couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was brewing. “I’m acting crazy right?”
“Your woo-woo is usually pretty tuned in to the universe. Do you want me to talk to Elena Martin? If anything is going on with the real estate in this town, she’d know. She hears about changes in the market, offerings—whatever—before anyone. I don’t know how she does it.”
That was true. Elena did know everyone and everything that was happening within a ten-mile radius of Angel Harbor. “Sure. That might be a good idea. We’re going to be so busy over the next two months, I don’t need this weighing me down.”
The bell over the door tinkled, and they both watched as Danny came inside. Jane’s heart fluttered a little, just like a schoolgirl’s. It was ridiculous, but it still felt wonderful. Like something was coming back to life, blooming inside her. Before making his way back to the table, he handed the china mug to the barista at the coffee bar, and sent a sweet smile in their direction.
“Wow,” Tracy said, fanning herself. “Is it getting warm in here?”
Watching him go back to the table, Jane couldn’t deny the man was a powerful presence. “It sure is.”
*
When Danny got back to his cottage, he dropped on the couch, content for the first time in a year. He’d made real progress today, and he’d forgotten how satisfying that could be.
Jane had talked through some setting points with him over lunch, giving him some insight on “modern” small-town life, but mostly they caught up on what they’d been doing over the years. In some ways she was still the girl he knew in high school. She was whip smart, a little nerdy and awkward, but now she possessed a spine of steel, and a contagious calm. Dan was bottled nervous energy, always under extreme pressure, but being in Jane’s presence had started to change that.