When they got back to the inn, the girls hugged Jane goodnight. Both of them, not just Trinity. Warm embraces that made Jane’s chest tight with emotion she had not expected to feel.
Maddy was staying the night with Trinity, and they rushed upstairs with their armloads of bags, giggling and planning what accessories they would need for their dresses.
Jane and Gabe lingered in the foyer. Neither of them seemed quite ready to say goodnight, to let the evening end.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Jane said softly. “And for listening.”
“Anytime,” Gabe told her, his voice sincere. “I mean that. Anytime you need to talk. Or not talk. Just be.” She smiled at his offer in silent acceptance. “I’ll see you on the boardwalk bright and early,” he added with a small smile.
“Yes,” Jane agreed. She was already looking forward to it.
There was an awkward moment. Both of them were standing there in the quiet foyer. Something was shifting between them. Something new and fragile and important.
Then Gabe leaned in. Slowly. Giving her time to pull away if she wanted to.
He kissed her cheek tenderly. A soft brush of lips against her skin that sent warmth flooding through her entire body.
“Goodnight, Jane,” Gabe said softly. His voice was rough with emotion.
Then he turned and hobbled up the stairs on his crutches, managing them despite the cast, despite the exhaustion of the long day.
Jane watched him for a few seconds, her hand coming up to touch the cheek where he had kissed her. She could still feel the imprint of his lips, still warm on her skin.
She turned and went through the connecting door to the family house. Her feet felt light. Her heart felt lighter.
Even with the dark news Pamela had brought. Even with the uncertainty looming over her future. Her heart did not feel heavy.
And surprisingly, wonderfully, she had no fear. Not tonight. Not with Gabe’s promise of being there with her. Not with morning painting sessions to look forward to. Not with life slowly, carefully, beautifully starting again.
Jane walked down the hallway to her bedroom, touching her cheek one more time. Tomorrow morning, she would meet Gabe on the boardwalk. They would paint as the sun rose over the Atlantic. And maybe, just maybe, she would be brave enough to believe that good things could happen again.
For the first time in three years, Jane went to bed not just surviving the day, but actually looking forward to tomorrow.
6
HOLLY
Holly sat across from Charlie and Trinity at the small breakfast table in their suite, her coffee growing cold in her hands. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room, but Holly barely noticed. She was still tense from the strain that had been rippling through her and Jack’s interactions over the past two days.
She knew she was being a coward. This was the second morning in a row she had avoided breakfast with Jack, choosing instead to hide in her family’s suite. But facing him across a table, pretending everything was fine when it clearly was not, felt like more than she could manage right now.
“So how is the ballroom coming along?” Charlie asked, breaking into Holly’s thoughts.
Trinity’s face lit up with enthusiasm. “It’s coming along beautifully! Jane is doing incredible work with the decorations.You should see what she’s done with the coastal theme—seashells and driftwood mixed with traditional Christmas ornaments. It’s magical.”
Holly managed a smile at her granddaughter’s excitement. “The renovations are progressing well too. We have four guest rooms ready and renovated.”
“That’s wonderful,” Charlie said encouragingly.
“We’re hoping to have at least six more finished before the week of Christmas,” Holly continued. “Bookings are starting to come in from people out of town who heard the Winter Ball is back on.”
“That’s good news,” Charlie observed. “It means people believe in the inn again. They believe the Winter Ball will actually happen.”
Small victories, Holly thought. In the midst of everything falling apart, at least there were small victories.
Trinity glanced at the clock on the wall and sat up straighter. “Maddy should be here by now. We have to go collect more seashells for more decorations Jane wants.”
“I’ll go with you to the beach,” Charlie said immediately, her voice taking on that protective tone Holly recognized.
