They had reached the far end of the beach now, the place where they usually turned back. But instead of turning, they both stopped, looking out at the ocean.
“I can’t lose the inn, Holly,” Jack said quietly. “This place is my family’s legacy. My great-great-grandfather built it. My father maintained it. My mother has given her life to keeping it running. And Jane...” His voice cracked slightly. “This is Jane’s home. Her safe place. I can’t let Victor take it.”
Holly moved closer, putting her hand on his arm. “You won’t. We won’t let him. Charlie and Logan are working on it. We’ll figure this out.”
“Will we?” Jack asked, his eyes meeting hers.
“Yes. The fight is not over yet, and we’ll use every second of that time to fight,” Holly said fiercely. “Jack, you’re not alone in this. You have your family, you have friends, and you have me. We’re going to save the inn.”
Jack pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “What did I do to deserve you?”
“Made a wish on the wishing tree,” Holly teased.
“Actually, I haven’t done that yet,” Jack told her. “I must remember to go and do it. The donations go to buying toys for local underprivileged kids.” He smiled. “On Christmas morning, William hosts the Wishing Tree Christmas breakfast.He moves the huge wishing tree to the local community center, where they have the Christmas day soup kitchen. He dresses as Santa and hands out presents for all the kids and a small something for their parents.”
“Oh, that’s so lovely,” Holly said. “Does he need volunteers to help?”
“Always,” Jack told her. “I’m sure he’ll be glad to have us all there.”
They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, drawing strength from their connection. Then Duke came bounding back toward them, having apparently finished his investigation of whatever had caught his attention.
The great dane puppy was soaking wet, his fur dripping with seawater. He shook himself vigorously, and before Holly or Jack could move away, they were both splashed with cold water and sand.
“Duke!” Holly laughed, trying to shield her face.
Jack was laughing too, the tension of the past few minutes broken by Duke’s enthusiastic greeting. The dog wagged his tail, completely pleased with himself, and bounded around them in circles.
Holly wiped water from her face, still laughing, and looked up to find Jack watching her with an expression that made her breath catch. There was love in his eyes. Real, deep, lasting love.
“Holly,” he said softly.
And then suddenly she was in his arms, and his lips were crushing hers in a kiss that was desperate and tender and full of promise all at once. Holly melted into him, her hands coming up to frame his face, kissing him back with everything she felt but had been too afraid to say.
Duke barked happily, dancing around their feet, but neither of them paid him any attention. There was only this moment, this kiss, this connection between two people who had both been broken and were finding their way back to wholeness together.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathing hard, Jack rested his forehead against Holly’s.
“I hate spoiling our moment,” Jack said, his voice hoarse. “But we have to get back.”
“I know,” Holly answered with a smile, looking up at him.
They held hands as they strolled back toward the inn with Duke chasing the waves that lapped onto the shore.
And neither of them noticed the figure standing far down the beach, partially hidden behind a sand dune, watching them.
The watcher lowered their binoculars, a slow smile spreading across their face.Perfect.This was exactly what was needed.
Jack and his new girlfriend were distracted with each other, and this new relationship was an unexpected gift. Another pressure point to lean on should the others fail.Hopefully, Jack would be reasonable, so they didn’t have to break his heart even more by tearing apart his newfound happiness with Holly Bennett.
The watcher turned and walked away, disappearing into the morning shadows, leaving Jack and Holly blissfully unaware that they were being watched or that their happiness was a potential weapon that could be used against them.
2
CHARLIE
Charlie sat in the library, surrounded by stacks of legal documents and her laptop open to multiple browser tabs. She had been cross-referencing property records and corporate filings for hours, trying to find any weakness in Victor Martin’s position, any legal foothold they could use to stop the acquisition of the inn.
Her phone rang, breaking her concentration. She glanced at the caller ID and frowned.Simon Bennett. Why would Holly’s ex-husband be calling her directly?
