“He was, but then Beverly offered us her place for next to nothing. It’s a darling little cottage by the creek. And Chip will have his own room, which he’s thrilled about. So, you can stay here, work for me part-time, and—” She snapped her mouth shut as though she were on the verge of saying something she shouldn’t.
“And…?” Kat pressed, suddenly curious.
“I’m not supposed to say anything. Jack wants to be the one to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
* * *
After cutting down all the dead vines wrapped around the eaves of the Windsor house, Jack stood back to survey his handiwork. Warmth spread across his chest.
It would take several months before the place would be up and running, but he enjoyed watching the progress. What started as an endeavor to help Kat achieve her dream had transformed into so much more.
Her generous nature had inspired him to share what he had with others. And an inn would certainly be a blessing to Poppy Creek. Not only would it alleviate some of the pressure off of George and Trudy, but it would bring more traffic to local businesses.
Jack chuckled, realizing that for once, his goals were aligned with Mayor Burns’s—perhaps the real Christmas miracle.
Opening an inn would solve another problem, too. He’d decided to ask Colt to run the inn’s restaurant, which would give his friend free rein over the menu, and he and Vick could go back to serving unpretentious comfort food at the diner.
Overall, it was a win-win.
“What do you think, Fitz? How does it look?”
From his lounging position on the front porch, Fitz glanced up from his well-gnawed antler and barked his approval.
Tires crunched across the gravel, drawing the pup’s attention toward the driveway. His ears perked up, and in one leap, he bounded down the steps.
Jack turned, his heart ricocheting into his throat as Kat’s Corolla came to a stop beside his truck. He knew he’d missed her, but seeing her again multiplied his emotions tenfold.
Without thinking, he strode toward her, nearly breaking into a jog.
The instant she stepped from the car, he scooped her into his arms, capturing her mouth with his.
She melted against him, only breaking away after Fitz pawed her leg.
“Gee,” she gasped, struggling to catch her breath, “that was quite the greeting.”
“We all have our forms of saying hello. You assault people on sidewalks, and I—” He cupped her chin again, kissing her deeply.
When their lips finally parted, she murmured, “I hope you don’t greet all the girls like that.”
“Just one. And only one, from here on out.”
Her eyes widened, searching his expression.
“I know you said you can’t leave Fern and Hope Hideaway, but we’ll make it work. I love you, Kat Bennet. And I can’t go back to the way things were before you walked into my life. And neither can this guy. He’s been moping around like a lovesick puppy ever since you left.”
Kneeling to nuzzle Fitz’s neck, she told him, “I love you, too, buddy,” her voice thick with emotion.
Jack’s heart sputtered, aching to hear those same words.
As she stood, she met his gaze. “I love you, too, Jack.”
Her breathy whisper set every nerve in his body on edge, and his throat went dry. Once again, all thoughts escaped him except for one.
Gathering Kat in his arms, he lowered his mouth to hers, savoring every spine-tingling sensation as he lost himself in a moment of pure, unparalleled joy.
Fitz waited patiently, leaning against Jack’s leg until he grew restless and released a whimpering sigh.
