She headed back to Connor’s, and he was waiting for her on his deck with a chilled bottle of wine and the lanterns lit with flickering candles. “Connor, you really can drink beer, you know.”
“I know. But I’ve become accustomed to sharing a bottle of wine with you.”
They watched the sky come alive with colors as if it was competing with last night’s fireworks, brilliant in its own way. The stars began to blink into existence. Beside her on the glider, Connor’s solid presence warmed her, and she instinctively leaned against him, their fingers intertwining. Even though they didn’t say much, she could feel the connection with him. A deep connection that felt so right. Yet the looming reality of her life back in the city threatened to shatter the magic.
“Connor—”
“Amanda—”
They both laughed. “You first,” he said.
“I was just going to say that… you’ve made my time in Magnolia so special. I love spending time with you.”
His fingers traced the curve of her cheek, his touch gentle yet charged with an undeniable electricity. “And my time with you has been special too.” His gaze held hers with an intensity thatmade her heart skip. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she snuggled against him, wanting to freeze the moment.
“I feel like Brooklyn wishing I could stay here forever.”
“I wish you could too,” he said softly, his voice laced with longing.
Later when he walked her back to her cottage, he gave her a lingering kiss filled with a bittersweet promise. Back inside her cozy cottage, her mind whirled with possibilities. An idea began to form. More of a wish, really. A fleeting, tantalizing dream.
What if she did stay longer here in Magnolia?
But what about her company, her business? She really couldn’t stay away from New York much longer and expect to have a business to go back to.
CHAPTER 27
The next morning, Amanda woke up with a smile on her face, remembering the last few days. The success of the festival. Brooklyn’s enthusiasm for life. And Connor, of course. He was never far from her thoughts.
She brewed a pot of coffee and took a steaming mug over to the table. Opening her laptop, she still wondered if she could delay her return to New York. She wasn’t ready for this magical time to end.
She was greeted with the familiar, unending stream of messages. Although she had to admit there were fewer coming in as the weeks went by. She opened one and read it, sensing the urgency and pleading in the woman’s words. It was an offer—more like a heartfelt plea—to run a big fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research. Her heart leaped with the opportunity to do something for the cause. If only more research had been done before Nana had succumbed to the disease. And she didn’t wish for anyone to have to go through what Nana did.
How could she turn this down? A cause that was near and dear to her heart. A chance to make a difference. But was she ready to return to the city? She’d need to soon to get started on it.
She closed her laptop, unable or unwilling to make a decision. All she could think of were Brooklyn’s words. “I want to stay here on Magnolia forever.”
And she agreed with the girl’s sentiment. But she had real life to get back to. Her thoughts warred with each other. Her desire to stay here and her need to get back to New York.
With a sigh, she hurried to get dressed, her mind swirling with conflicted thoughts. She headed to Coastal Coffee in need of a talk with Beverly. Somehow, talking with Beverly always helped bring her clarity.
And who are you going to talk to in New York?Her thoughts taunted her, reminding her of the loneliness awaiting her back in the city. She shoved them aside and walked over to the cafe, slipping inside, embracing the familiarity of it. The aroma, the sounds, the sights.
“Amanda, over here.” Beverly waved her over to where she was talking to Miss Eleanor. “So, have you recovered from everything? Such a lot of work you’ve put in. I bet it’s nice to have that behind you.”
“And you did a good job. You’re so organized. I bet you can do anything you put your mind to,” Miss Eleanor said as she poured a generous amount of cream into her coffee.
“I—it was a lot. And I’m glad it all worked out.”
Beverly frowned. “Then why don’t you look pleased?”
Miss Eleanor double-tapped the table. “Sit down. Talk.”
Amanda did as Miss Eleanor commanded. “It’s just… I’ve loved my time here on the island. Loved working on the festival and getting to know so many people.”
“Like Connor,” Miss Eleanor said pointedly.
“Yes, Connor. And Beverly. And Tori and… well, everyone.”
