“Then why are you going back to Los Angeles?”
Katie sighed. “I’m not.”
“What?”
“I’m not going back. I’ve told my agent I’m accepting the three-book contract, but I’m not doing the Writers in Residence Program. If other authors can write from anywhere in the world, I can do it from Sapphire Bay.”
Peter’s heart pounded. “You were so sure you wanted to live in California. What changed?”
“You.” Katie held his hands. “Instead of being hundreds of miles apart, I want to spend the next six months with you. If I was in Los Angeles, we’d be living separate lives. That isn’t good for any relationship.”
Pulling her close, he wrapped her in his arms and held her tight. Even though it was everything he wanted, he was still worried she’d regret her decision. “Are you one hundred percent sure that’s what you want to do?”
Katie kissed him and grinned. “I’m three hundred percent sure. And if you invite me over for mugs of hot chocolate on your front porch, I’ll be even happier.”
Peter’s entire world was focused on the incredible woman standing in his arms. “You can come to my house any time you want. I love you, Katie.”
With a happy sigh that came straight from her heart, she snuggled closer. “I love you, too.”
* * *
Three weeks later,Katie unlocked the back door of the inn and waited for her noisy family to arrive. Last year, as soon as Chloe had given them a date for their great-grandparents exhibition, they’d made sure they wouldn’t have any bookings while they were away.
Unfortunately, it didn’t make their lives any easier. After their last guests had left, Katie and her sisters had been busy making sure everything was in tip-top shape for their next arrivals on Tuesday morning.
After falling into bed at midnight, she wasn’t looking forward to being ready to leave at six o’clock the following morning. But, here she was, pouring granola into a bowl and hoping the rest of her family had set their alarm clocks.
A quick tap on the door signaled the beginning of the rush. “Are you awake, Katie?” Penny yelled from the mudroom.
“I’m in the kitchen.”
A smiling face appeared around the edge of the doorframe. “I thought you might have slept in.”
“I’m too excited for that. Where’s Wyatt?”
“I’m here,” came a muffled reply. A few seconds later, he appeared with two suitcases in his hands. “Where do you want our luggage?”
“Leave them by the front door. We can stack them in the vehicles once everyone’s here.”
Penny placed a clipboard on the kitchen counter. “I worked out how many suitcases we can fit into each of the vehicles we’re taking to the airport. As long as everyone sticks to the numbers they gave me, we should be fine.”
If it were up to Katie, she’d just squeeze them in, but Penny had a plan for every occasion. “Sounds good. Have you called Diana and Ethan?”
“They were awake and having breakfast half an hour ago. Mom called me, so she’s awake. Theo called Wyatt to check a few facts for a story he’s writing, so he’s awake. That only leaves Peter.”
“I’m here, too.”
Katie left her bowl of granola on the counter and walked into the mudroom. “Good morning. Did you get much sleep last night?”
“I finished work at one o’clock this morning.” He kissed her soundly on the lips and smiled. “But that’s okay. It means I’ll be ready for my meetings in Manhattan.”
Instead of flying with them, Peter was taking a slightly later flight to New York City. On Friday afternoon, he’d travel to Washington, D.C., speak to some potential investors, then meet them at the Smithsonian for the opening of their great-grandparent’s exhibition.
Katie held his hand. “Have you had breakfast? I made a batch of your favorite muffins before I went to bed.”
“I had some toast, but I won’t say no to a muffin.”
Penny walked into the mudroom and hung up her jacket. “You’d better be quick. Wyatt’s already poured himself a cup of coffee. The muffins are next.”
