Page 47 of Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
Dani playfully backhanded him. “Jordi told us what happened, Bronte. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. My head hurts a little bit, but other than that and feeling like an idiot, I’m good.” Bronte took a fry off the plate that Declan slid her way.
“I’m so glad. Oh!” Dani turned and dug through her bag sitting on the seat next to her. She held out an envelope toward Bronte and Jonah. “Congratulations on winning for most creative snowman. You guys won a gift card to Good Day Coffee.”
“Thanks.” Bronte smiled, accepting the envelope before folding it and putting it in her coat pocket. “How has your day been going?”
“So good. Not only is this the best Christmas stroll ever, we’ve already sold out for the ball on Wednesday.” Dani’s grin spread over her entire face.
“Were you really worried you weren’t going to sell out?” Lily asked, moving plates and glasses around on the table so Vera could put down giant mugs of hot chocolate in front of both Jonah and Bronte.
“Thanks, Vera.” Jonah nodded to the older woman. “Yeah, doesn’t it generally sell out?”
“She’s been worried about this for weeks,” Liam said, putting his arm around Dani.
“It’s just that it’s been so long. I wasn’t sure if anyone was interested, and I’m in charge this year, so I just really want to make sure that everything goes well, you know?”
“We’ll be there for sure, Dani,” Declan said, raising his glass in Dani’s direction.
“Us too,” Jonah agreed.
“Speaking of, I wanted to know if I could get all of you to help on Tuesday for the finishing touches on the ballroom.”
Lily winced. “We have to work at the fudge shop, but if it’s super slow, we could probably close down a little early and come help.”
“I can be there.” Jonah looked to Bronte. He didn’t want to volunteer her, knowing she had work to get done.
Bronte just shrugged. “Sure, I’ll be there. What time?”
They made plans, Liam letting them know that they would come pick them up on the snowmobiles so they wouldn’t have to walk.
Dani glanced at her watch. “We’ve got to get going,” she said to Liam.
“We need to head out too,” Lily said, pushing Declan out of the booth. “See you guys over there in a little bit.” The couple waved as they moved toward the swinging kitchen door.
“The Christmas tree lighting is happening in thirty minutes. Are you guys coming?” Dani stood from the booth, swinging the strap of her purse over her shoulder.
Jonah took a drink from his hot chocolate. He glanced at Bronte, eyebrow raised in question.
“I’ve been waiting all day for this. You’re not getting me to go home now,” she exclaimed.
“Pro tip.” Dani leaned in, Liam’s hand on her back. “Have Vera sneak you out the back so you don’t get stuck fighting everyone for good seats.”
“And if you want, feel free to hang out with me in the control box,” Liam added. “If you don’t feel like fighting the crowds.”
Jonah was grateful Dani and Liam were making Bronte feel welcome and giving her an option for avoiding crowds of people after her accident. “Thanks, guys. We’ll catch up with you in a bit.”
When Dani and Liam left, Jonah moved across from Bronte. He caught her with her eyes closed, head resting on the back of the booth. “You doing okay? We don’t have to go to the lighting if you’re feeling bad.”
“Just a little tired,” Bronte said, lifting her head back up, eyes fluttering open. “I really don’t want to miss the lighting, but maybe we can hide in the control box with Liam? If you don’t mind.”
“Sure thing. Go ahead and finish up your hot chocolate, and we’ll head over there.”
Jonah needed to keep a close eye on her. She said she was doing okay, but the last thing he wanted was for her to overdo it. Seeing Bronte fall and then rushing her to the med station had made him realize how much he didn’t want to run the clinic on the island. He’d had to be the bearer of bad news to too many families when a procedure didn’t go as planned. It would only be a matter of time before the person rushed to the clinic was someone he loved, and everyone would rely on him to make sure they went home.
He had grown up on this island, so everyone was someone he loved. He didn’t want that responsibility. If only he could make his father understand why he would be walking away from it all.
“I just wanted to let everyone know,” Jordi called, breaking into Jonah’s thoughts from where she stood on a chair in the middle of the restaurant. “It’s time to head to the park. The Christmas tree lighting is happening in ten minutes!” Jordi jumped off the chair and went to help ring up customers so they could make their way to the park.
