“So, about tomorrow,” she said, changing the topic. “Your press event is at three. We’ll start setup around two. The bookstore’s podium is at the community center right now, but the mayor has promised to return it by two.”
“You need help with the setup?”
She shook her head. “Nope. Mom and Dad will be at the bookstore to help out along with Ben and Sara. You should focus on what you’re going to say. Have you decided on your approach?”
He nodded. “Nigel said I should keep it straightforward. Open with a prepared statement, then take questions.”
“Have you figured out what you’re going to say?”
“Not fully, but getting close. You want a preview?”
She was tempted —very tempted — to say yes, but instead shook her head. As much as she wanted him to embrace Christmas, she sensed that he needed to get there under his own volition. “I want you to tell me when you’re ready to tell me.”
His dark brown eyes grew intense. “If that’s what you want….”
“That’s what I want.”
“All right,” he said. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”
“If you need a private place tomorrow to work, you’re welcome to use the bookstore’s attic office.”
His eyes lit up. “I’d like that. Thank you.”
“Great.” She paused, very aware of the his deep, dark brown eyes on her. “Okay, you should go now.”
“Okay,” he said, not budging.
“You need a good night’s sleep.”
“Because of my big day tomorrow.”
“Because of your big day tomorrow.”
His eyes flashed. “I’m very glad your roof sprang a leak, Penny Quinn.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.
“See you tomorrow,” he said with a smile, then turned and made his way down the porch stairs.
She watched him head into the night, her insides tumbling.
I’m glad my roof sprang a leak, too.
CHAPTER 22
The moment had finally arrived: Daniel’s press event was about to begin. Penny cast her anxious gaze over the bookstore’s meeting space, making sure everything was ready. The podium had been delivered moments ago from the community center and stood directly beneath the Charles Dickens banner. Hopefully, the banner’s message —“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” —would end up matching what Daniel said in his speech.
Five rows of seats faced the podium andall them were already filled, including by Hettie Mae, Donald, and Eva in the front row. Behind the seats stood a row of TV news cameras with crewmen and reporters getting their equipment set up. Around them, squeezed into every available inch of space, was a standing-room crowd of curious onlookers. The Tattered Page was, in a word, packed.
Penny glanced at her watch. It was almost time. Stepping to the podium, she switched on the microphone, tapped it to make sure it was working, and said, “Everyone, we’ll be starting in about two minutes.”
Heart fluttering, she slipped through the crowd to the front of the bookstore, then climbed the winding metal stairs to the attic office, where Daniel had been holed up since lunch, putting the finishing touches on his speech.
She poked her head into the attic and found him at her desk, still scribbling away.
“It’s time,” she said. “You ready?”
He looked up. “As ready as I’m gonna be.” With a smile, he rose to his feet and headed down behind her.
