Page 51 of Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
Had coming to Jonathon Island been a mistake, or thehappiestof mistakes? The more time she spent on the island and around Jonah, the more the hardness around her heart was being chipped away. And she didn’t know if that was a good thing or if she was just setting herself up for more heartbreak.
Watching Jonah’s strong, broad back at the stove, her stomach twisted. If her heart broke this time, would she ever be able to recover?
* * *
Jonah tried not to laugh at the plastic souvenir currently being held up for his inspection. Wanting to give Bronte the uninterrupted time to get writing in, he’d snuck off to get a couple of things from Doug’s. He’d been thinking about Christmas gift ideas for Bronte when he bumped into Cody and Finn, who were getting out of the house for a bit to give Mia a break while Maggie took a nap. When Finn had heard that Jonah couldn’t figure out a good gift for Bronte, the little boy had promised he had the “perfectest idea ever” before dragging him over to a display of plastic sharks and animals.
“This is the most perfectest one.” Finn held up a plastic shark withJonathon Islandpainted on the side, a huge grin on his face at the treasure he’d found.
Jonah found it funny that Doug’s Market would have plastic sharks. Sure, Jonathon Island was on the water, but as far as he knew, the lake housed no sharks. The small grocer on the island carried a handful of novelty items and souvenirs since the actual souvenir shop had closed with the season.
Kneeling down, Jonah inspected the shark Finn held up. “I’m not sure that’s something Bronte would like as much as you do.”
Finn’s face scrunched in confusion. “Why not? This is the best shark I ever found.”
“Why don’t we get that one for you, buddy? We’ll look for something else for Jonah’s friend,” Cody said, ruffling Finn’s hair.
The boy’s face lit up. “Really? I can keep this one? Oh boy, wait ’til I show Maggie. She’s going to love it. I need to find one for her too.” The boy plopped back down on the floor in front of the bin of sharks and started digging around.
“So, what exactly are you looking for?” Cody asked after he had made sure Finn was occupied with finding his younger sister a shark of her own.
Whatwashe looking for?
His and Bronte’s conversation bounced around in his mind. Her having been raised in foster care made so many other things click. Like why many of the Christmas traditions were new to her and why she’d never had a real family Christmas. He wanted to make sure Bronte had the full Christmas-morning experience this year.
Jonah shrugged at his friend’s question. “I don’t know. Something perfect.” He tried to think back to Christmas mornings at the White house and started making a mental list, but other than presents, atmosphere, and the snacks his mom always made, he came up blank. His mom and sisters were so much better at this kind of stuff than he was. What he wouldn’t give to have them home helping him right now.
Cody laughed. “Thanks, that really narrows it down. Not sure I’m going to be much help.”
“Bumping into you and Finn made this a lot more fun,” Jonah reassured him. “It’s just…” How could he explain what he was feeling to Cody? “I want it to be something special. I don’t think she’s ever had a great Christmas, so I want this to be…”
“Perfect,” Cody supplied.
Jonah shrugged. “Yeah.”
Cody slapped Jonah on the shoulder. “I know you’ll be able to find the gift you’re looking for and give Bronte the Christmas she deserves. She’s pretty special to you, isn’t she?”
“I know it’s crazy because we just met, but I don’t know. There’s just something there.” He needed to tell himself to calm down. Yes, they’d shared one kiss. One firework-inducing kiss, at least in his experience. But then they’d gone home, and she hadn’t brought it up, hadn’t tried to kiss him again. He wanted to talk to her about it, but he didn’t want to make it awkward if she thought it had been a mistake.
Besides, if she wanted to do more kissing like that, they’d never get anything else done. It was stupid. He knew they’d go their separate ways and probably never see each other again. This wasn’t one of the rom-coms his sisters recommended. Strangers didn’t meet and fall in love and spend a lifetime together.
“When you just know, you know. It’s a saying for a reason.”
“I’m hungry.” Finn came to stand next to Cody, three plastic Jonathon Island sharks clutched in his tiny hands.
“We just ate lunch an hour ago, buddy,” Cody reminded him.
Finn shrugged, studying a thread on Cody’s jeans, face scrunched. “Mom says I’m a growing boy, so I eat more.”
Cody ruffled Finn’s tawny curls. “Your mom is right there. I guess this means it’s time for us to go. We’ll see you Wednesday at the ball?” he asked Jonah.
“For sure. We’ll be there.” It wasn’t lost on Jonah how he’d so easily responded in the plural. We. Jonah and Bronte. It sounded so right in his mind.
Cody and Finn walked to the front of the store. They paid for Finn’s collection of sharks and, after Cody had made sure Finn had his hat and gloves in place, pushed out into the cold island afternoon.
Not finding anything more they needed from Doug’s, Jonah made his final purchases and headed to the Fudge Shop on the Corner. The sweet treat might be a nice reward for Bronte after an afternoon of working.
“I thought you were leaving the island and meeting up with your family.” Declan’s voice greeted him from behind the fudge shop’s counter.
