Page 17 of Kissing in the Rain
“As long as we’re together.” She snuggled into him as the boat glided forward with the wind at their back and nothing but clear skies and romanceahead.
Epilogue
Jillian hada cup of coffee and a good book in front of her. Her bookstore was full of customers and friends this morning, thanks to her weekly book club gathering. It was good for business, and for thesoul.
“Thanks for another excellent meeting,” Lorelai said when it wasover.
“Thanks forcoming.”
“Kimberly loves spending an extra hour once a week at the recreation center with Uncle Gabe anyway. And I’ll take me-time where I can getit.”
Jillian laughed and handed her a muffin to go. “Take one to Kimberly. Tell her it’s from AuntJillian.”
“Will do.” Lorelaiwinked.
Jillian wasn’t actually Kimberly’s aunt, not yet at least, but maybe one day in the near future. She never thought she’d consider the prospect of ever getting married again, but with the right person,possibly.
After saying goodbye to her other customers, she walked behind the counter and sat down. She didn’t usually count the seconds to closing time—not anymore—but tonight, Gabe was taking her out for their six-month dating anniversary. How things had changed in that time. She’d spent the good part of a decade being lonely and overworked, and in a matter of months, she was downrightgleeful.
When the long hand of the clock ticked on the six-o’clock hour, Jillian turned the store’s sign to CLOSED and hurried back to her living quarters to get dressed. November in Blushing Bay got chilly, so she wore a long dress and a cardigan in case they went for a walk along theboardwalk.
Or in case they ended up on one of the sailboats at the Sawyer Recreational Center. No matter the weather, sailing was one of their favorite pastimes to dotogether.
Her cell phone buzzed with an incomingtext.
Jillian hurried over to the counter and read the message fromGabe.
Are youready?
A giddy little grin settled on her lips. She was ready for anything he had up his sleeve fortonight.
Definitely,she typedback.
Great. I’ll be there infive.
To the second, he arrived at the back of the store, using his personal key to let himselfin.
“Hi there, handsome,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. “Where are wegoing?”
“I told you it was a surprise.” He held out a solid redblindfold.
Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve got to be kiddingme.”
“Do you trust me, JillianMaready?”
“You know I do, but—” Her gaze fell on the blindfold. “Fine.” She turned around and allowed him to tie it over her eyes. “But don’t make me regret putting my faith inyou.”
He grabbed her elbow and led her out of the store, then helped her inside the passenger seat of his truck. After he’d buckled her in, she heard him settle into the driver’s seat and crank the engine. “Just sit back and relax. It’s notfar.”
“What’snot?”
Gabe tsked. “So beautiful, but very littlepatience.”
She laughed out loud and then did as he asked, relaxing and enjoying the ride. Trusting him with whatever fate he had in store for her over the next couple ofhours.
Fifteen minutes later, she felt the Jeep slow and park in a graveldriveway.
“Can I peekyet?”
