The morning sun cast a warm glow on the cream-colored background with deep red text. Jackie was glad she’d listened to the graphic designer when they’d suggested adding a picture of a pair of knitting needles beside a ball of wool. It added more interest and made it obvious what the store sold.
Shona emerged from The Cozy Quilt Shop next door. Her eyes were full of excitement as she looked up at the sign. “It’s fabulous, Jackie.”
“I’m happy with it, too. I can’t believe my knitting store is almost open.”
“I felt the same way before the quilting store opened. You work so hard to get to this point, that it seems like an anti-climax when the doors open to your first customers.”
Jackie thought of the long nights she’d spent here, the days when she hadn’t thought about anything else. It was just as well Paris was such an understanding boss. “It’s been a lot easier since I finished work at The Flower Cottage. I can get a lot of work done during the day instead of working late each night.”
Shona pulled her jacket closer. “Aidan must be excited about the store opening. I haven’t seen him for a while, but he was so good at keeping you company while you set everything up.”
“Aidan’s working from New York City. He hasn’t been here for a while.”
Shona frowned. “Is he coming back to visit you?”
“He’s working with his team, but he said he’d be here for the opening of the store.” She missed him so much it felt like a piece of her heart had gone to New York with him.
Shona gently placed her hand on Jackie’s arm. “What’s wrong?”
She bit her lip, hesitating before admitting her deepest fear. “I don’t know if Aidan’s coming back.”
“Has he called you while he’s been away?” Shona asked, her voice tinged with empathy.
Jackie nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “He’s called a few times to check on everything but, most of the time, we talk about the Christmas gala. It’s as if he’s avoiding any mention of coming back to Sapphire Bay.”
“Men can be so thoughtless sometimes,” Shona said softly, her grip on Jackie’s arm tightening in reassurance. “Maybe he needs time to figure things out. Or he could be so busy he didn’t think to remind you that he’s coming back.” She gave Jackie a warm smile and added, “He’d be a fool not to realize how wonderful you are.”
“Thanks, Shona,” Jackie whispered, forcing a small smile. Shona didn’t know Aidan had been offered a job in Miami or that he was seriously considering it. He’d told her the meeting with the management team had gone well, but not whether he’d accepted the job.
Someone walked into The Cozy Quilt Shop and Shona sighed. “That’s my few minutes in the fresh air gone. If you’d like some company tonight, come and have dinner with Joseph and me. He’s making his world-famous meatloaf and it’s delicious.”
Jackie sent her friend a grateful smile. “That’s lovely of you to offer, but I’m meeting Daniella to go over the last-minute details for the gala. Can I come another night?”
“Of course, you can,” Shona said happily. “You’re welcome any time.” After giving Jackie a quick hug, she hurried back to her store.
With a wave to the men fixing the sign into place, Jackie walked back into her cottage. If Aidan chose not to come back to Sapphire Bay, she’d be heartbroken. But at least she’d know what was happening with their relationship.
Because, at the moment, she had no idea. For now, all she could do was focus on the grand opening of A Stitch in Time, and make sure the Christmas gala was a success.
* * *
Aidan stoppedhis truck outside Jackie’s house. While he was gone, she’d strung lights under the veranda and added a small Christmas tree in a bright red container beside the front door. Her home looked cheerful and festive—everything he wasn’t feeling.
He hadn’t been gone long, but it felt like a lifetime.
The stilted phone calls with Jackie hadn’t helped. He didn’t know what to say, how to break through the wall she’d placed between them.
Not that he could blame her. She craved stability and wanted to belong to this small community. He still had things he wanted to do, and he couldn’t do them if he moved permanently to Sapphire Bay.
He knew she wasn’t happy he was considering the job in Miami, but what the company was doing in Florida was astounding. Using intuitive software applications, they were re-imagining what movement meant. He hadn’t felt this inspired since he’d started working for BioTech. If Jackie knew how difficult it was to find a company that truly cared about its clients, she’d realize what a difficult decision it was for him.
Taking a deep breath, he opened his truck door. He didn’t know what to expect from seeing her, but he had a feeling it wouldn’t include a wide grin and a big hug. He knocked on the front door and waited.
When Jackie opened the door, his heart sank. Her smile disappeared instantly.
“Hi, Jackie. I just arrived in Sapphire Bay and thought I’d say hello.”
Thankfully, she stepped sideways. “Come inside. It’s too cold to be talking outside.”
