They stayed like that for a few minutes, holding each other before he lifted her off him, helped her turn around, and she satbetween his legs, her back to his chest, and they soaked away the day and languished in tranquility a little while longer.
Tomorrow they could think about the opening of the bookstore, the car accident, and Adam. Right now, they had each other.
Tomorrow Cody would go after Adam if he truly was the one who’d tried to kill Brooke.
Until then, he’d love her through the night and keep her nightmares at bay.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Brooke had advertised in the local paper, online, with mailed postcards, and on social media. She and her mom had hung a banner out front announcing the grand opening. Still, she worried no one would show up.
Those fears did not come to fruition. There had been a line at the door when she arrived thirty minutes before opening. The place had a constant flow of traffic. Her mom was ringing up book purchases at a steady pace and the café was filled with patrons sitting and enjoying their beverages and baked goods, and flipping through the books they’d already bought while the line remained at least ten deep.
It was a huge success.
Brooke couldn’t be more proud. And relieved.
She’d done it. She’d opened not one, but two businesses despite the hardships in her life right now.
The thing with the push and the car and seeing Adam yesterday…that was still fresh in her mind. But she didn’t let itdeter her from greeting her invited guests at six o’clock for the party she’d planned to celebrate the opening. Customers were welcome to join in.
Mindy Sue rushed her with Julie right behind her. “Look at this place! It’s amazing!” Mindy Sue wrapped her in a hug. “You did it, Brooke. You own your own businesses. And that children’s section…I want to play in that cute little fort and sit and read in the boat. And the teen section…all those fantasy novels and romances! Now that I’m out of college, I’m going to start reading for pleasure again. I can’t wait to pick out some books.”
Brooke pulled out two tote bags with the bookstore logo printed on them and held them up. “I thought I’d get you and Julie started. Romantasy for you, Mindy Sue. Super sexy romance and paranormal for you, Julie.”
They squealed, hugged her again, then took their loot.
“I’m still buying more books,” Julie announced, heading toward the cookbook aisle because she also loved to cook and bake.
Mindy Sue bumped shoulders with her. “Super sexy stepbrother hasn’t taken his eyes off you.”
“Don’t call him that.”
“Oh, come on, he’s like every taboo romance we ever read. You’ve been lusting after him forever. And now…that man is yours.”
Brooke held up the ring.
Mindy Sue’s eyes went wide. “How did I miss that pink sunset sparkler? When did this happen? Why don’t I know?”
Brooke told her how Cody had proposed and got another huge congratulatory hug. “You two were meant for each other. But something seems off with you. Aren’t you happy?”
“Ecstatic. But something happened yesterday. Someone pushed me off the curb and I nearly got run over by a car.”
Mindy Sue’s eyes went wide with shock. “What? No way. Did they catch whoever did it?”
“No. But…” She bit her bottom lip, not wanting to share the rest and have her friend look at her like she was crazy.
“What?” Mindy Sue stepped closer.
“Please don’t think I’m nuts.”
“Never.”
“I saw Adam in the crowd right after it happened.”
Mindy Sue gasped. “What? No.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “That’s not possible. He’s locked up. Right?” Mindy Sue glanced around at the crowd.
Brooke held Mindy Sue’s forearm. “I hope so.”
