But Lenny shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s already been sold. Over a month ago, now.”
“To who?” Desperation shot through her as she imagined the site being leveled for a slab of concrete beside a shopping center.
Lenny held her gaze for a blink, deep lines forming between his eyes as he shook his head. “You don’t happen to…know anything about it, do you?”
Justine studied him for a blink, baffled by the odd question. “ShouldI?”
The look turned disbelieving next as he gave her a sideways glance.
She shrugged. “Spit it out, Lenny. What am I supposed to know?”
“Nothing.” He stepped back and gave her a nod. “Sorry. I just thought you should know that someone bought it. That’s all.”
“But you don’t know who,” she pressed.
His expression was more resolved now as he shook his head. “A private entity. One that has the reputation for turning the land around for a quick sale.”
“Well, good. When it goes up on the market again, let’s see if the town can’t buy it back. Or at least preserve the falls.”
“Right.” Lenny tucked his hands in his pockets. “Good idea.”
She watched as he tugged open the door and stepped outside. Beyond the glass, the rec department bustled about the tall tree on City Square, adorning its branches with finishing touches.
“Great,” she mumbled. “I take a few days off and the whole town falls apart.” Only that wasn’t exactly the case, seeing that Bill’s grandson had sold the property over a month ago. So why in the world was Lenny only telling her about it then?
She pictured the many hours she’d spent at the falls as a child. Swinging over the creek while daydreaming of happier times. It had been like a sanctuary for her, a place she could let out her tears without Grams or Gramps seeing them.
Later, Justine.She didn’t have time to think of it now. First thing next week, she’d look into the entity that bought the land. For now, she had a Christmas lighting to attend.
It was often that families from neighboring towns would come to the lighting, making it a day-after-Thanksgiving tradition. This meant Burke wouldn’t be the only outsider at the town’s event. Still, she figured he’d stand out no matter how big the crowd. At least to her.
And just why couldn’t Justine squelch this sudden onset of nerves? Nerves that only grew and swelled as she got ready for the event. Even as she stood before the mirror, her crown in place with minutes to spare, her anxiety kicked up an extra notch.
“What?” she finally blurted aloud. What was she afraid of? Losing Burke? Being humiliated? Making a fool of herself if the town somehow found out they hadn’t known each other prior to his trip to Piney Falls?
Yes. She guessed it was all of those things.
Plus, she and Burke would be in the spotlight as Piney Falls’ Pie Prince and Princess for the first dance of the evening. She suddenly wished very much that they could pass the honors on to Brittany and Trevor and just fade into the onlookers.
A knock came to her door. The sudden noise—as expected as it was—startled her enough to make her jump.
Sheesh. Justine pressed a hand to her heart as she hurried through the front room. She could hardly wait to be in Burke’s warm embrace. She flung back the door, excited to lay eyes on him, and grinned once he came into full, magnificent view. Deep blue eyes, thick dark hair, and a smile that threatened to stop her heart.
“Hi there, princess,” he said, stepping in and wrapping her in his muscular arms.
She breathed him in and felt her head go light. “Hi,” she said.
Burke pulled back and lifted his hand, revealing the crown in his grip. “I can’t put this on. Help?”
“Of course.” She waved him in to stand by the fireplace where a mirror hung adjacent on the wall. “I’ll grab some bobby pins.” Justine moved down the hall, into her bathroom where she grabbed the pins, and then hurried back into the front room. She’d been away from him for the last two days—that had been more than enough. Now, as cheesy as it might sound, she just wanted him close to her.
Burke hunched down as she set the crown on his head. “I missed you,” he said.
Her heart did a backflip. “I missed you too.” She couldn’t help but admire him as she slid the bobby pins into place, securing his very fitting crown.
Once she was finished, Justine trailed her hands down the back of his head, giving into a moment of adoration.
Burke glanced up at her through his lashes.
