Jane could not help but smile back. “I am pleased that you and Trinity will be there today. It makes the work go faster, and Trinity has such good ideas for the decorations.”
“She’s excited about helping,” Gabe said. “I think she feels like she is part of something important.”
“She is,” Jane said softly. “You both are.”
They said their goodbyes, and Jane headed through the inn toward the family house. Her heart felt lighter than it had in years, almost buoyant with something she barely recognized anymore. Hope, maybe. Or just the simple pleasure of looking forward to the day ahead.
As Jane walked through the living room, a gust of wind suddenly blew a window open, making the curtains billow inward. The soft breeze engulfed her, wrapping around her like an embrace, and Jane froze in place.
The air carried a warmth that should not have been there in December, and Jane could have sworn she heard a voice in that breeze. Darren’s voice, as clear as if he were standing beside her.
“It’s about time, love.”
The breeze disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, and the window banged shut with enough force to make Jane jump. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest, but not from fear. Fromexcitement. From acceptance. From something that felt almost like permission.
Jane stood rooted to the spot, her eyes closed, breathing in the lingering scent of salt air and something indefinably sweet. A smile spread across her face, unbidden and genuine.
“I miss you both so much,” Jane whispered to the empty room.
The house was silent, but Jane felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the brief breeze. She opened her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling steadier than she had in years.
Jane headed to her room to change and get ready for another day of decorating the ballroom. As she pulled on comfortable work clothes and tied her hair back, she found herself humming softly. When was the last time she had hummed? When was the last time she had felt this sense of anticipation for a day ahead?
An hour later, Jane was up on a ladder in the ballroom, carefully installing a new bulb in one of the ornate chandeliers. The replacement had just arrived that morning, and Jane wanted to get it in place before they continued with the other decorations.
“Good morning,” Gabe’s voice called from the doorway.
Jane turned on the ladder, her greeting warmer than it might have been even yesterday. “Good morning. I’m just finishing up here.”
Gabe entered the ballroom, managing his crutches with practiced ease. “Trinity and Maddy have gone to get seashellsfor some of those decorations you needed. The ones for the coastal-themed garlands.”
“Oh, right,” Jane said, then a feeling of panic suddenly hit her. The beach. The girls were on the beach. Alone. After what had happened with Todd Berkley kidnapping them, after everything...
Jane turned too quickly on the ladder, wanting to ask who was with them, needing to know they were safe. “Wait, who is with them?—”
The question never got finished. The ladder wobbled from her sudden movement, and Jane felt herself falling backward. Her stomach lurched, her hands grasped at empty air, and time seemed to slow as she realized she was about to hit the floor hard—on her already fragile back.
Then strong arms caught her.
Even with a broken leg, Gabe was there in a flash. He had somehow crossed the distance between them and caught her before she could hit the ground. Jane found herself cradled against his chest, his arms solid and steady around her.
Her heart was hammering for multiple reasons. Fear from almost certain injury. Panic about the girls being alone on the beach. The sudden, overwhelming awareness of being held so close to Gabe. And then, cutting through everything else, concern for him.
“Gabe, your leg,” Jane gasped, her eyes widening as realization hit.
“Don’t worry,” Gabe assured her, his voice surprisingly calm. “I’m on one leg.”
“Really?” Jane’s eyes widened further, and she turned her head to look. His crutches were lying on the floor several feet away, and Gabe was indeed balancing like a flamingo on one leg with her full weight in his arms.
The absurdity of it almost made her laugh, but she was too aware of how close they were. How could she feel the steady beat of his heart? How his arms felt around her. How his face was inches from hers.
“Really,” Gabe said, and she could hear the strain in his voice now. “But I’m going to have to put you down soon because I don’t know how long I can balance like this.”
Jane felt heat flood her cheeks. “Oh. Yes. Of course.”
Gabe carefully set her on her feet, and Jane immediately helped him to one of the chairs she had set up near the ornament boxes. She grabbed his crutches and brought them over, then helped prop his injured leg up on another chair.
“Thank you for saving me,” Jane said, her voice soft as she looked at him.
