Page 60 of Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
“Good. She’s just been under a lot of pressure to get her book done.” Jonah ran a hand down his face. “It takes a toll.”
“Hello, everyone!” They both turned as Dani stood in front of the band, a spotlight shining on her. “I want to welcome everyone to this year’s Jonathon Island Christmas Ball and thank you for coming. Also, can we give it up for the Maritime Band.” The room erupted in cheers, and the band members stood and bowed.
Dani went on, giving updates about the renovations, but Jonah didn’t really hear. He scanned the room for Bronte. She’d been gone for well over ten minutes. How long did it take to meet a fan and say hello? Shouldn’t she be back by now?
“…so get out there and dance!” Dani finished, fist pumping the air.
Now he really needed to find Bronte. He’d been thinking about dancing with her all day. Couples paired together and started dancing to a croonie version of “The Way You Look Tonight.”
“What about you?” Cody asked, pulling Jonah’s attention back to the table. “How have you been since you got home? Looking forward to meeting up with the family in a couple of days?”
“I’m excited, but a little disappointed to be leaving Bronte all on her own.”
“She really is special to you,” Cody said, waving off a waiter trying to fill his mug of coffee.
“Yeah.”
They fell into an easy silence, watching couples spin around the dance floor. Jonah’s gaze wandered up to where he and Pastor Arnie had wrapped the beams in twinkling lights and hung hundreds of ornaments from the ceiling. Dani had done a great job organizing everything. He’d say the first Christmas ball since the fire was a success.
“You know what? I’m going to take Finn to my mom and find Mia. It’s time to get a dance in.”
Bronte’s laugh, loud and boisterous over the music, drew Jonah’s gaze. She was talking with Dani and Jordi about something only a few tables away. She threw her head back and laughed again. Maybe whatever had happened earlier was over. He was glad to see her having a good time. Liam strolled up to the girls and offered his hand to Dani.
A burning started in Jonah’s chest. He didn’t know what had happened before, but he planned to ask. Maybe before the Christmas Eve service. For now, he wanted nothing more than to dance with her.
He pushed himself up from the table, not taking his eyes off Bronte. A man on a mission.
A man on a mission, who was suddenly intercepted and tugged in the direction of the dance floor. But Bronte was still over by the wall, talking to Jordi…
He swiveled to whoever had his hand in their grip. He’d know that blonde hair, expertly rolled into a French twist, and that petite frame anywhere. His stomach dropped.
They made it to the dance floor, and his captor dropped his hand and turned to him.
Blue eyes that had once captivated his soul. “Bree?”
Bree raised her arms, the sequins on her red dress sparkling in the twinkle lights. “Surprise!”
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to surprise you.” Bree fiddled with the brass buttons on his dress uniform.
His fingers gently wrapped around her wrist, and he placed her hands at her sides.
“I meant to find you earlier. I’ve been in town for almost a week, but Grandma got sick the day I arrived, and I’ve barely left her house since. I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to come tonight, but I made it.”
It was seven years since he’d last seen Bree. The woman he had planned, at one time, to spend the rest of his life with—until she’d called it quits instead.
He waited for the emotions to wash over him. The familiar pull of attraction that had been so strong and had about killed him when she’d told him she didn’t want the life they had so carefully planned out.
“How did you know I was coming home for Christmas? I didn’t even know I was coming home for Christmas until last week.”
Bree shrugged. “I was coming anyway, and then I saw Amy post about your family vacation and was afraid that I’d missed you, but you’re here. Have you been staying by yourself this entire time?”
“No.” Jonah looked around. He wanted Bronte here on the dance floor, not Bree. He didn’t even want to talk to Bree. “If you will excuse me.”
Bree reached out and clutched Jonah’s arm, stopping his escape. “Well, you look really good.”
Jonah frowned. “Thank you, Bree. You look good too, but I really must?—”
