Peter frowned. “What do you mean?”
With a shrug that didn’t seem quite as relaxed as it should have, Penny stepped inside the store. “Sometimes, you need to be reminded about what’s really important.”
“Someone I know said the same thing.”
Penny held the saw higher. “I’ll find dad and get some blades. Good luck with Katie.”
He didn’t know why Penny thought he would need luck, but he’d take what he could get. After nearly two weeks away, he’d realized fairly quickly that he still didn’t like long-distance relationships.
Mabel hurried across the store. “My two favorite people,” she gushed. “Katie said you were held up on the road, Peter. You must be exhausted.”
“It wasn’t too bad. The accidents I saw didn’t look too serious.”
“I’m glad. Being told a loved one has been involved in an accident is the last thing anyone wants to hear. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
He shook his head, not wanting to be a bother. “I’m okay, but thanks for the offer.”
“Katie’s in the workroom. Go on through.”
As he walked toward the back of the store, he looked at the changes Mabel had made since he’d last been here. It was nothing short of a miracle. Instead of tinsel and decorations strung around the store, everything was as neat as a pin and looked anything other than Christmassy.
It never failed to amaze him how quickly each year went by. Twelve months ago, his company was about to trial the third prototype of the neural gel prosthetics. Everyone was excited about the enhancements they’d made and were looking forward to seeing just how much of a difference they made. Now, here he was, about to sign a multimillion-dollar contract to produce custom-made prosthetics that would transform thousands of people’s lives.
He opened the workroom door and smiled at Katie. She was standing on a three-step ladder, counting the boxes on a shelf. “Hello, stranger.”
The clipboard she was holding clattered against the shelf. Seconds later, a huge smile lit her face. “You’re here!”
Peter laughed as she jumped off the ladder and rushed toward him. The hug she wrapped him in was every bit as exuberant as it always was. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you, too. What are you doing?”
“I’m helping Dad with this year’s stocktake. How are you feeling?”
“Tired, but it’s good to be back. I bought you a present.”
Katie frowned. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did.” Reaching into his jacket pocket, he took out a small gift-wrapped parcel. “I saw it in a store in Brooklyn.”
With more care than usual, Katie undid the ribbon and peeled back the wrapping paper. The silver keychain sparkled in the overhead fluorescent lights.
With a sigh, she read the engraved message. “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.That’s so lovely. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I thought it was an important message to remember.”
“It is.”
Her softly spoken words worried him. “What’s wrong?”
Before she was able to tell him, Mabel opened the workroom door and hurried toward them. “Allan’s looking after the front counter, so I don’t have a lot of time. Have you told Peter about the contract you’ve been offered?”
Katie’s face turned bright red. “Not yet.”
“I thought it would have been the first thing you told him.” Mabel turned to Peter. “It’s so exciting. I’ve told all my friends and they are so impressed. And it was all because you gave Katie the push she needed to self-publish her books. We can’t thank you enough.”
The door into the workroom opened and Allan poked his head around the doorframe. “I need you out here, Mabel. Hi, Peter. Welcome back.”
“Thanks.”
