“What did you say?” Andrea asked.
“I told him he needs to make the right decision for himself.”
“Is that what you really think?”
Andrea’s gentle question brought tears to Jackie’s eyes. “I don’t want him to leave, but he will. It doesn’t matter whether it’s New York City or Florida, he won’t be happy living in Sapphire Bay.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Andrea said firmly. “From what I’ve seen, Aidan’s a wonderful man. As soon as he realizes what he’d be giving up by leaving, he’ll think carefully about his future.”
It was his future Jackie was worried about. “His team’s designing prosthetics that are better than anything else on the market. He wanted to make a difference in amputees’ lives, and he has. The camp he’s helping to create is just as important, but he’s already finalizing the design. Once that’s done, he won’t have as much involvement in that project. It’ll only be a matter of time before he gets bored and goes back to Manhattan.”
Instead of looking worried, Andrea smiled. “Are you sure you aren’t exaggerating? Aidan doesn’t seem the type to get bored easily.”
Jackie sighed. “I’ve been so busy that I don’t know what day of the week it is, let alone whether I’m reading too much into the job he’s been offered.”
Andrea rubbed her arm. “Take it from someone who’s been exactly where you are—if it’s meant to work out, it will.”
Jackie frowned. “What would you do?”
Andrea poured two cups of coffee. “I don’t know. David wasn’t going to stay in Sapphire Bay, either. But he decided he wanted to build a life here with me and the boys. He still flies back to Manhattan to see the rest of his staff, but most of the time he works from here. I’m not sure what would’ve happened if he didn’t have the option of working remotely. Would you move to Miami?”
Jackie took the coffee Andrea gave her. “That’s the last thing I want to do. I like my life here. I’ve made great friends and I’m safe. I’ve never felt that way before and I don’t want to leave.”
“Well, I’m glad you feel that way,” Andrea said as she took a sip of coffee. “When does Aidan have to tell the company whether he’s accepting the job?”
“I’m not sure, but I can’t imagine it’ll be too far away. Please don’t say anything to David about the job offer. I don’t know if Aidan’s discussed it with him.”
Andrea smiled. “My lips are sealed. Now tell me what you’re up to with your store. Mabel said you’ve been sent a lot of boxes of hand-knitting.”
“I have, and they’re all amazing,” Jackie told her friend. “Emma and I start my social media advertising next week, and the last set of neon lights I’ve ordered should arrive by then, too.”
“I’ll have to stop by the store. When does the signage for above the veranda arrive?”
“Next week. I can’t wait to see it.”
“Neither can I,” Andrea said with a grin. “It’ll be the most talked about store in Sapphire Bay.”
“That’s what I’m hoping, too. And after my customers buy their grandchildren some amazing outfits and restock on pure Montana wool, they can have a coffee and something to eat at your café.”
“That sounds like a great idea to me,” Andrea said with a grin. “And if they visit Shona’s quilt store and Paris’ flower shop, everyone will be happy.”
Jackie wished it was that simple. Right now, the thought of Aidan leaving Sapphire Bay made her feel miserable. But there was nothing she could do to change his mind. Whatever decision he came to would have to be okay with her. Even if it meant saying goodbye to the man who could have changed her life forever.
CHAPTER16
Aidan looked up when Sandy and Josh Wilson knocked on his office door. Grace’s parents looked every bit as excited as he expected they’d be. “Come in. It’s good to see you again. Is Grace with you?”
Sandy shook her head. “She’s gone to school. We want to keep her life as normal as possible while we talk about the prosthetic.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” Aidan said. He shook their hands and gestured to the chairs opposite his desk. “Have a seat. I couldn’t believe it when you called to say what had happened.”
Sandy’s eyes were glistening with unshed tears. “We couldn’t believe it, either,” she began, her voice quivering with emotion. “We thought we’d have to wait for months or even years for BioTech’s trust to consider funding Grace’s prosthetic.”
Josh leaned forward. “Then, last night, Pastor John and Shelley came to our home dressed like Christmas elves. We thought they were collecting money for the church, but they presented us with this.” He unfolded a piece of paper and handed it to Aidan.
The Christmas Wish Program was giving Grace Wilson a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg from BioTech Industries. The program would also pay for the implant surgery and the therapy she’d need afterward to get the most out of her new leg.
Aidan handed the certificate back to Josh. “It must’ve been incredible seeing this.”
