Page 30 of Dangerous December (Northern Pines Suspense #8)
Maura stopped at the entryway of the bookstore, dropped her bags at her feet and swooped close to Beth for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“I’m so happy to be home for Christmas,” she said, her bangle bracelets clinking and gauzy scarves shimmering in the glow of the twinkling Christmas lights strung around the interior of the bookstore.
“And I’m so glad Olivia had to pick up her daughter at the Minneapolis airport, so she could give me a ride north. ”
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Beth hugged her back. “How long can you stay?”
“Just until the day after Christmas. But I’m thinking of moving back next year, if I can sell the gallery. My health scare affected my priorities, and losing two assistant managers in the past three months has been the last straw.”
Maura stepped back and held Beth’s shoulders, her eyes shining with tears. “I’ve missed you, sweetheart.”
Long after Maura had gone upstairs to unpack, Beth paced through the bookstore. She’d gone over the day’s receipts twice, feeling lonelier than she had in weeks.
Even the twinkling icicle lights in the bay window and the pine-scented candle burning on the counter by the cash register didn’t lift her mood.
She hadn’t seen Dev since just after Thanksgiving.
He hadn’t even stopped to say goodbye, which was just as well, because the warmth in his gaze had faded right after Thanksgiving, and their relationship had faded right along with it.
If she’d begun to imagine anything more from him, she’d been a fool a second time around, and she deserved what she got.
..though a weight heavy as an anvil pressed down on her chest as she took one last glance around the store, blew out the single fragrant candle, and shoved her cell phone into her coat pocket.
Frank had been opening Sloane Sports each day, with the help of two new clerks, and it appeared that the influx of Christmas shoppers coming to Agate Creek from the surrounding cities had really taken to the new store.
With his new full-time job and the one Reva had accepted at a local jewelry store, they were now planning their small wedding and a move to a little rental house across town.
Beth couldn’t remember ever seeing a couple so giddy, so totally in love...made all the sweeter in two people approaching the autumn of their lives.
Carl was finally receiving his disability payments, and he’d started to work part-time at Sloane Sports as well, so he was beginning to think about independent living, too.
And Elana—Beth smiled, thinking about how she’d blossomed at the bookstore during the hectic Christmas rush.
The way she’d calmly stood up to several difficult male customers and handled their complaints had been a real turning point in her self-confidence.
Cody had been making strides as well, nurtured under the loving wings of his two foster granddads at the boarding house, whenever he was around.
But what turned his life around completely was the day that Dev had taken the three of them for a visit to the local animal shelter—with Elana’s grudging permission—and brought back a fluffy little rescue puppy for Cody. Jingles and he had been inseparable ever since.
These were people Beth had worried about, and now they were moving into their new lives more quickly than she’d ever expected.
So if her own life was still a mess, it would just take time to get back on track. The beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service next week would surely do the trick.
She glanced at the clock. Elana could close up the store for the night, and it was time to head upstairs. At least with Mom back for a visit, the Christmas decorations and twinkling lights wouldn’t seem quite as sad.
Snow had blanketed the cars on the street, and still swirled under the street lamps like weightless diamonds as she stepped outside the store and fitted her key into the dead bolt of the door leading upstairs.
When a shadow fell across the landing, she raised a hand in greeting. “The store is still open—go right on in.”
“I’m not here for the books. I’ve come back for you.”
Startled at hearing the deep timbre of his familiar voice, Beth turned and stared up at Dev, not believing that he’d come. “I-I thought you’d left for good. You didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I didn’t think we could ever get together again, given... well, everything. You made that pretty clear. I knew I couldn’t stay here and see you around town, knowing there’d be no second chances. So I...left.”
Beth’s heart skipped a beat. “And now?”
“I tried going back to all I knew, but it just wasn’t enough. It could never be enough. I wanted to be here more than anywhere else in the world.”
“For...a visit?”
He dropped a kiss on her forehead, then a longer one on her lips. “I want to spend the rest of my life trying to convince you that we still belong together. If you’ll let me.”
Joy washed through her, along with a feeling of completion that she’d never expected to experience again. “Absolutely.”
The door of the store opened, sending golden light across the snowy sidewalk, and Elana and Cody stepped outside.
“Welcome home, Dev,” Elana said, her eyes shining. “Welcome home.”
“I saw you through the window.” Cody giggled as he snuggled his new puppy against his chest. “Are you going to kiss her again? ”
Dev laughed as he looked down at Beth with a world of love in his eyes. “If I could kiss her every day for the rest of my life, I’d be the happiest man on earth.”