Page 101 of Meet Me at the Fudge Shop

“I don’t knowwhatto do now—with my life, or with Declan. He’s probably on the first ferry off the island, anyway.” The thought made her want to roll under the covers and never emerge.

“I don’t think I’d count him out just yet.”

Lily sat up straighter, pushing back the comforter. “Why do you say that?”

“Because I saw him at the door, looking very sad. And how he looked at you when he thought you’d won.”

Goosebumps covered her arms. “How did he look at me?”

“Proud. Maybe even adoring. I think Declan recognizes how very special you are. He looked like there’s nowhere he’d rather be than by your side.”

Oh, Declan. “I don’t know if that’s true anymore.”

Mom leaned in, kissing the top of Lily’s head. “Even if it’s not, just know that my love for you will never subside. And neither will God’s. No matter what you do, no matter how you fail or succeed, you are precious because you were created in His image. You are exactly who you are supposed to be. Because He said so.”

Lily sniffled.

“Who knows. Maybe Declan Kelley will surprise you.”

“Him? Surprise? He’s as straitlaced and predictable as they come.” Reliable and solid too. At least, he had been.

“Ready to get up and take a shower? I have soup on the stove.” Her mother stood. “And soup solves every problem.”

Lily climbed out of the warm covers. “Yeah, but not as well as ice cream.”

Her mother laughed. “That right there is the Lily I love. Always thinking outside the box.” She kissed her cheek and headed out the door.

And right then, Lily knew exactly what she was going to do.

ChapterSixteen

After a handful of days spent praying hard, a right course had finally settled in Declan’s heart.

But the response hadn’t been what he’d expected.

“What do you mean, not enough evidence?” Declan paced inside the Tourism Bureau, where Dani had asked him to meet her Thursday afternoon. “I told the council everything Isaac admitted to me.”

He’d met with them this morning, in a closed meeting—Uncle Patrick and Mom had been informed about it, but had not been invited. They didn’t know the particulars, only that their presence would be a conflict of interest. Mom had probably guessed at the meaning behind it, because she’d been blowing up Declan’s phone all day saying she needed to talk with him.

Or maybe it was about the fact that Seb Jonathon had arrived back in town on yesterday’s ferry. Probably Lily and her mother had been the first one in his office this morning, trying to wheedle back the shop.

He didn’t blame them. Maybe it really did belong to them, despite the terms of the contest.

Seb and the council had heard his argument, quietly, no comment, and now, while the council deliberated, Declan had hidden out in the fudge shop, overseeing the repairs to the kitchen until Dani had summoned him.

“I know.” Dani leaned back against the large wooden desk at the entry. “But the council said they didn’t think they could change everything based on hearsay, even though they all admitted they believed you. There just wasn’t precedent for it…though to be honest, there’s not really precedent for any of this—the contracts, the competition. None of it.”

Declan stopped, looked up at Dani. “You’re right. There’s not.” His mind raced, putting all the details together. “What did Seb say about the lease?”

“He said that in his absence, he’d abide by the council’s ruling.”

“Good.”

“I feel like I’ve missed something…Good?” Dani cocked her head.

“Yes, good. I think. I need to go home and check something out.” If he was right…why hadn’t he thought of it before? “Thanks, Dani!” Declan headed for the front door.

“I don’t feel like I did anything, but you’re welcome!”

---