“Holly—” Simon tried to interrupt, but Holly was not finished.
“Jack builds and restores things with his own hands. He creates beauty and preserves history because he believes in it, not because it makes him money. I don’t expect someone likeyouto understand.” Holly leaned forward, her hands braced on the table. “So don’t you ever try to belittle Jack again. And don’t you ever try to use him to manipulate me. Because the only person in this conversation who should be ashamed is you.”
She straightened up and grabbed her purse. “Come on, Charlie. We’re leaving.”
Charlie stood gracefully, giving Simon a look that could have frozen lava. “I suggest you get your affairs in order, Simon. Including signing those divorce papers. Because if you don’t, I will personally make your life a legal nightmare. Are we clear?”
Simon’s face had gone red, his jaw clenched tight. “You’re making a mistake, Holly. Both of you.”
“The only mistake I made,” Holly said, “was staying married to you for as long as I did.”
She turned and walked toward the door, her head held high despite the trembling in her hands. Charlie followed close behind, and Holly could feel the eyes of other café patrons.
“I have to go to the ladies’ room,” Charlie told her, pulling her keys from her purse. “Here, take the keys and go to the car, so long, and I’ll meet you there.” She looked at Holly. “Are you okay?”
Holly nodded, grabbing the keys. “I’m fine. I’ll be in the car.”
The bell above the door chimed again as they stepped out into the afternoon sunshine. She got into the car, not realizing she was in the driver’s seat, staring at the horizon, not really seeing what was in front of her.
Minutes ticked by, and Holly’s mind reeled. The nerve of that man. Did he really think Holly would spy on the Christmas family for him? And then he had the gall to hang their divorce papers over her head.
“Holly,” Charlie’s voice at the car window made her jump as her sister pulled the door open. “You’re in my seat.”
“What?” Holly blinked and looked around her. “Oh. I’m sorry.” She climbed out of the car and went around to the passenger seat. “My mind is in turmoil.” Anger swished through her like a burning acid. “Can you believe that man?”
Charlie started the engine, and they pulled away from the café. Holly glanced back through the side mirror as the cafe faded in the distance. Her heart was still hammering in her chest, but she felt good. She had stood up to Simon. She had chosen Jack and the Christmas family over her ex-husband’s manipulation. Now she just had to make sure Jack knew that. That he understood she was on his side, no matter what.
But as Charlie drove them back toward Anastasia Island, Holly felt anxiety creeping in. Would Jack understand why she had not told him about the meeting beforehand? Would he believe that she had refused Simon’s bribe? Or would he see her silence as betrayal?
“Stop spiraling,” Charlie said, as if reading her mind. “Jack will understand. He’s a good man, and good men listen before they judge.” She smiled. “Just be open and honest with him.”
Holly wanted to believe that. She really did. But she could not shake the nagging fear that she had just made everything more complicated instead of simpler by not just telling Jack up front about her meeting with Simon. Now it looked as if Holly had been trying to hide it. She made a decision. As soon as she got back to the inn, Holly would find Jack. She would tell him everything. And she would trust that what they had was strong enough to weather this storm.
Because if it wasn’t, maybe it had never been real to begin with.
And Holly was done settling for anything less than real.
11
JACK
Jack stood outside Miller’s Hardware Store in downtown St. Augustine, waiting while Logan finished paying for the crown molding they had just loaded into his truck. The afternoon sun was warm on his shoulders, and the street was busy with tourists enjoying the historic district. Christmas decorations adorned every storefront, and carols drifted from speakers mounted on old-fashioned lamp posts.
Jack checked his watch. They had been gone from the inn for about two hours, picking up supplies for the final touches on the guest rooms. Paint, hardware, trim work—all the little details that would make the rooms feel complete and welcoming. He was pleased with how the renovations were progressing. At this rate, they would have all ten rooms ready before Christmas week, just in time for the bookings that were starting to come in.
“Ready to head back?” Logan asked, emerging from the store with the receipt.
“Yeah, let’s—” Jack stopped mid-sentence, his attention caught by a familiar figure across the street.
Holly was walking out of the Corner Café, her posture rigid and her face flushed. Even from a distance, Jack could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her hands were clenched at her sides. Charlie was beside her, one hand on Holly’s arm as if steadying her.
Jack’s first instinct was concern. Was Holly okay? Had something happened? He was about to walk forward toward her, but stopped as the café door opened again, and Simon Bennett stepped out onto the sidewalk. He stood there for a moment, his phone pressed to his ear, his expression dark with anger.
Jack felt his stomach drop.
Holly had been meeting with Simon. Her ex-husband. The man who was working with Holly’s ex-best friend to acquire the inn. The man who had shown up at the Christmas Inn two nights ago and thrown everything into chaos.
And Holly had not told him.
