“No, not at all. But getting to know you has made me see a lot of things differently. There’s plenty to write about right here, right under my nose. And I still want to visit all those places someday. But I know now it wouldn’t be any fun without you, Zoey. My heart was set on traveling. But now it’s set on you—stuck on you, I’d have to say. What do you think?”
Zoey felt her heart melt. He actually looked nervous, waiting for her answer. She reached up and looped her arms around his neck. “I think that traveling together to Peru, or anywhere with you, is an excellent plan. And I’m thinking it’s going to be a really great new year. Which I didn’t think at all a few days ago.”
He smiled and pulled her close. “I feel the same about that, too. Happy New Year, Zoey.”
“Happy New Year,” she whispered back, knowing that she had never meant it more.
Their lips met in a deep, warm kiss. Zoey was swept away on a wave of joy and a feeling of connection and belonging to someone that she had never quite known before. When they finally parted, she noticed that James’s eyes looked glossy and bright. Was he about to cry, too? She was sure a few tears of happiness had slipped from her eyes. They stared at each other and laughed.
“Let’s walk a little. I’ll show you some of the changes the Quinns want to make.”
James put his arm around her shoulders, and she wound her arm around his waist. They headed toward the rows of apple trees, their steps timed perfectly together. Zoey knew she would remember this day for the rest of her life. She had never been quite so blissfully happy.
* * *
Sophie watched them walk into the orchard and sighed. It was a relief to see James and Zoey make up. James had been a basket case ever since Christmas Eve. She’d had to bite her tongue a few times to avoid saying, “Just call her up. Talk it out.”
But she didn’t want to meddle. Though she did leave that message to get Zoey over here and get it over with. That wasn’t meddling, exactly. Just stirring the pot.
They’re both strong willed. But meant to be, she decided. I wasn’t worried, not really.
She gazed out the window again and saw them in the distance now. Just a young couple, holding hands as they walked through the orchard. She saw herself and Gus. We must have looked just like that, walking that same path, way back when. Everything comes full circle, doesn’t it? She closed her eyes, her gratitude for all that had come to pass these past few days welling up inside.
Thanks again, Lord, for all your help. For making everything that seemed so wrong turn out right. Much better than I could ever expect, or imagine.
I’ll be right here when you need me. Until then, I’ll enjoy the peace and joy in my heart. And the miracles you send every day in my world.
Thomas Kinkade emphasized simple pleasures and inspirational messages through his art. Thom believed that both the ability and the inspiration to create his paintings had been given to him as a gift. His goal as an artist was to touch people of all faiths and to bring peace and joy into their lives through the images he created.
Katherine Spencer was a fiction editor before turning to a full-time career as a writer. The author of more than thirty books, she also writes the Angel Island series, as well as the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries under her real name, Anne Canadeo. She lives with her husband and daughter in a small village on the Long Island Sound. Outside of her office, she is active in many community charity projects. You can contact her at [email protected] and on Facebook.
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Thomas Kinkade's Cape Light Page 31