Page 24 of Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage (Jonathon Island #6)

Chapter Ten

A fter donning their coats, Jonah tucked Bronte under his arm and led them out of the Tourism Bureau.

He vowed to keep an eye on Bronte the rest of the afternoon.

If she showed any signs of being exhausted or in too much pain, he’d march them back home.

No matter how much they both wanted to see the Christmas tree lighting.

They had just stepped out of the Tourism Bureau, heading in the direction of Martha’s, when Mia stopped them. “Hey, Jonah! Bronte!”

“Hey, Mia, how’s it going?” Jonah lifted the hand that wasn’t currently wrapped around Bronte in a wave. Seeing the small girl on Mia’s hip, he asked, “Is this Maggie?”

Smiling, Mia looked to the pink-coat-clad toddler, who had just decided to hide her face in her mom’s neck. “Yes, this is Maggie. Maggie, can you say hi?”

Maggie turned her head, peeking one dark-blue eye from her hiding place and lifting her hand quickly in a wave before burying back into her mom’s neck. “I’m so sorry. She’s generally very sociable, but someone skipped her nap.”

“No worries. I can’t believe she’s so big.”

“They grow like weeds, that’s for sure.”

He couldn’t wait to have a family of his own.

To have his own kids who would be growing like weeds.

He hadn’t been lying to Bronte when he’d said he needed to be able to provide for his family.

Would a bookstore really allow him to have the big family he wanted?

Or should he sacrifice a little bit of happiness and just take over the clinic as planned?

Continuing their walk toward Martha’s, Mia shifted Maggie in her arms and turned to Bronte, concern lacing her features. “Bronte, I heard about your fall. How are you feeling?”

Jonah felt Bronte stiffen beside him, and he tightened his arm around her.

“I’m doing okay.” Bronte leaned into him, and Jonah’s pulse picked up just a tick. “Just a little headache.”

Jonah knew Bronte was downplaying how “little” her headache must be, but he hoped the ibuprofen had kicked in.

“I’m so glad. Please let us know if you need anything, okay? I know you’re in good hands with Jonah here.” She playfully nudged Jonah with her shoulder.

Bronte smiled and ducked her head.

“Well, this is me.” Mia motioned to the shop they were in front of, Beautiful Homes Art and Realty painted on the door. “Maggie and I are going to warm up for a bit, and I’m going to see if I can’t get her to sleep for an hour before the Christmas tree lighting. You guys will be there, right?”

“We wouldn’t miss it!” Jonah replied.

They said their goodbyes and dodged the few people on the sidewalk to make their way next door to Martha’s.

The sun had started to set, making all the lights on Main Street brighter.

Crisscrossing between one side of the shops and the other, the lights had always been one of Jonah’s favorite parts about Christmas on Jonathon Island.

The shops spared no expense in their decorating.

Even the few shops that were still empty had a Christmas window display—including one with a very lifelike Nativity scene—upon closer examination, Jonah realized it was real people.

At one time, Martha’s had been the only restaurant open on the main strip during the holiday season, and there wouldn’t have been any open booths. Thankfully, with the pizzeria and the bar and grill now open, they should be able to get a spot to sit for a few minutes before the lighting.

Warm air engulfed Bronte and Jonah as they stepped into the buzzing restaurant, and Jonah could feel Bronte physically sigh at the warmth. Jonah scanned the room for an empty table, and his stomach fell when he didn’t see any—there weren’t even any spots at the bar.

“Jonah, Bronte, back here!” Dani lifted her mug in greeting and motioned for them to join her, Liam, Declan, and Lily in the corner booth in the back.

After taking off his gloves and shoving them in his coat pocket, Jonah held up two fingers in Vera’s direction and mouthed hot chocolates before weaving through the tables to the back booth. Dani motioned for Liam to move farther into the booth, leaving room for Jonah and Bronte to join them.

“Bronte, this is Lily and Declan.”

Jonah nodded at the couple on the opposite side of the horseshoe booth as he slid in next to Dani.

He had to admit he’d been glad when Mika Beth had mentioned in one of their monthly calls that Lily and Declan had gotten back together.

Lily’s fun, purple-streaked hair went perfectly with Declan’s put-together MBA self.

“Declan is Martha’s son, and he and Lily own the fudge shop in town.

Still rocking the purple hair, I see, Lily. ”

“They’re just highlights, and it’s lavender, Jonah,” Lily pointed out, twisting a strand of hair in her fingers.

“Lavender, purple. Same thing, right?”

Lily’s nose wrinkled. “Uh, no.”

“I like them,” Declan said, nuzzling Lily’s hair.

Lily giggled. “It’s nice to meet you, Bronte.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Bronte said as she slid in next to Jonah, who turned to help her out of her coat.

“Nice goose egg,” Liam pointed out.

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.

While most of the patrons in Martha’s headed toward the front of the restaurant, Jonah reached for Bronte’s hand and, with a nod from Vera, tugged her toward the kitchen door, which would lead them out.

Pushing out into the night behind the shops, Jonah led Bronte up to the boardwalk.

A few others had the same idea to skip the crowded street and sneak up the boardwalk to the park.

Lights from the ferry glinted off the black water.

The last ferry of the evening would leave a little later than normal, allowing for the tourists to enjoy the Christmas tree lighting as the grand finale of the Christmas stroll.

They made it to the park, and Jonah located the control booth—or a temporary canopy tent set up over a control board for the lights and music.

“Hello, again, friends.” Liam greeted them from where he stood over a nest of wires, all snaking their way to the main switch he was ready to pull at Dani’s signal. “Come in and find a place. I’m just triple-checking all the connections and settings to make sure we’re good to go.”

Jonah and Bronte stepped to the side of the booth, out of the way and free from the wires.

“Do you need help with anything?” Jonah asked, pulling Bronte toward him.

She sighed and leaned her head back to rest against his shoulder.

He regretted asking Liam if he needed any help, knowing he’d have to move away from her.

Liam glanced up from the wires he was checking, a knowing smirk on his face. “I got it.”

Under the dim camping light Liam had set up near the control panel, Jonah studied Bronte.

She had her eyes closed. Were the meds wearing off?

He should have insisted they go back to the house.

Bronte didn’t have a concussion, but walking around with a purple knot the size of a golf ball on her forehead couldn’t be comfortable.

They needed to get more ice on it, although he supposed the cold air could be just as good.

Their conversation from earlier came back to him. His sister had him convinced his decision would break their father’s heart. But Bronte’s confidence that his family wouldn’t want to see him miserable—that being what would break their hearts—had stayed with him.

Was this a situation he couldn’t win no matter which way he sliced it? Would hearts be broken no matter what he did? An ache pressed behind his breastbone.

“Hey, where’d you go?” Bronte asked groggily.

Jonah shifted his arms around her to pull her closer, her presence easing the ache but at the same time replacing it with a yearning of a different kind. “How are you feeling?”

Bronte gave him a pointed look. “Don’t try and change the subject.” She faced him, the sudden space between them making Jonah want to shiver. If talking made her move from his arms, he’d be silent forever. “You’re thinking about your dad again, aren’t you?”

Could he be read that easily? “Maybe.”

Bronte gave him a ghost of a smile. “Jonah, you are going to have to talk to him. You can’t get out of it.

You aren’t going to be able to sweep this under a rug or take it all on your shoulders.

I don’t have a family, but one thing I know is that family is supposed to be there for each other.

I’m sure after talking with your dad, you’ll be able to figure something out that doesn’t end in anyone’s heart being broken. ”

Her words were balm on his tender soul. “How are you so wise, Bronte Parker?”

“Eh.” Bronte shrugged a shoulder, mouth lifted in a smirk. “You learn a couple things when you get to study many different families.”

“I’m sorry you don’t have family, Bronte. I’m sorry you were hurt.”

Bronte’s breath hitched. “It’s fine.”

Jonah reached up and pushed a rogue curl behind her ear, being careful not to touch her forehead. “No, it’s not.”

Tears swam in her eyes. He hated that he had some part in putting them there, but how could Bronte not see how amazing she was?

“Almost time, guys,” Liam called. Jonah saw Liam in his peripheral vision, leaning closer to the opening and listening to whatever Dani said in her bullhorn.

Jonah wiped a thumb under Bronte’s eye, catching a tear. Her eyes were smoke and glitter.

“Ten…nine…eight…”

Dani began the countdown, shouting through the bullhorn, the crowd joining in, but Jonah’s gaze locked on Bronte’s, the gap between them slowly disappearing.

Jonah shifted his body, now facing Bronte.

He encircled her in his arms, bringing her closer.

Her eyes slid closed as his lips found hers.

She tasted like chocolate and peppermint but somehow sweeter than any concoction they could find at Martha’s or anywhere else.

Bronte turned in his arms, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss.

He couldn’t get enough of her. He was a man dying from thirst, and she was the water saving him.

Jonah was vaguely aware of the Christmas tree coming to life and Liam laughing while muttering something about new love and make-out sessions moments before the soundtrack for the lighting also sprang to life.

But Jonah was completely lost in the spell Bronte cast.

And he was perfectly fine with that.