“I’m thinking about it. I’m finding it hard to imagine leaving.”
“That’s how I felt when I came here as a young girl. Tally helped me out. Gave me a job. I saved and eventually opened The Sweet Shoppe. I never would have made it without Tally’s help.” Julie shrugged. “And a bit of the island’s magic, I guess. I made a wish at Lighthouse Point and it came true.”
“They do that.” Tally laughed.
“I’m just not sure I can make it work…” She frowned.
“You can make it work if you want it enough,” Julie said.
She smiled softly. “That’s just what Tally said to me.”
Tally and Julie left, and she sat eating her breakfast. She looked out at the water with the waves rolling to shore, the birds soaring overhead, and the sun sparkling on the water.
How could she leave here? And leave all her memories of spending time here with Nana? She’d still have to figure it all out. See if it was even possible. And then… there was the problem of finding a job. She’d certainly need to find work.
But she knew she wanted to try to make it happen. She wanted to stay. Deep inside her, she knew she’d never be completely happy if she left. The island was a part of her.
Evie opened the door later that morning to find Randy standing there. “Did you already open the next item from the box?”
“Of course not. Not without you. Come in.” She tugged on his hand, leading him inside and into the kitchen.
“Sorry, I got tied up with a call this morning.”
“That’s okay. I decided to go to Magic Cafe for breakfast and… I had an interesting discussion with Tally and Julie.”
“Really? What about?” He settled onto a kitchen chair.
She sat across from him and hesitated.
“Are you going to tell me?” He tilted his head.
“Yes… it’s just all so new. But anyway…” She plunged on. “I’m thinking about staying here on the island. If I can work it out,” she quickly added.
His eyes lit up. “You’re staying?”
“Well, I’d have to figure out if I can. I’d have to find a job. And being in tech it’s not like there’s a lot of need for high-tech on the island.”
“But we could use a lot of low-tech. Or whatever you want to call it. The city hall system goes down at least once a month, taking down the town website. We keep trying to get funding for a better system. And you saw Etta fighting with her computer system at the historical society.”
“That’s not exactly the kind of tech that I do anymore.” She frowned.
“But you know how to do it?”
“Some. But it’s been a long time.”
“Or you could do something totally different. Look at Julie becoming a baker and opening The Sweet Shoppe. Or Tally with Magic Cafe. Oh, and Susan never ran an inn before she cameback to the island to run Belle Island Inn. People seem to find the right career when they settle here.” He leaned across the table and took her hand. “And… I’d really like it if you stayed.”
She looked deep into his eyes, seeing the sincerity. “I could at least try, couldn’t I? It’s not like the city won’t be there if I can’t find something that works here. Tally said if I really want to stay, I’ll find a way.”
“That Tally is a wise woman.”
“And I admit, I’m just not ready to leave the island. I frankly can’t imagine leaving.”
“Good. I’m glad you find it hard to leave. That works in my favor.” He winked at her.
She laughed and stood up. “Let me get the box and we’ll open another item.” There was plenty enough time to figure out the logistics of staying here. For now, she’d just enjoy the holidays.
She brought the box to the table. “Whose turn is it to open one?”
