“Believe it or not, it was something my mother told me. Apparently, the fight we had caused her to do some soul-searching of her own. After we reconciled our differences, she made me realize that everything I ever wanted was right here. Well, almost everything.” She set her gaze on him and held his hand. “Jack, I’m sorry for saying those awful things to you. I didn’t mean any of it. You’re the most wonderful man I’ve ever known.” She swallowed hard at the tangle of words stuck in her throat. “When it came right down to it, more important than work or prestige, I couldn’t stand the thought of spending one more day without you. Can you forgive me?”
A tender smile crossed Jack’s face. “I already did,” he said, and then he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR
Cloud Nine
Now that she’d decided to stay in Bloomington, there was one final piece of business Ellie needed to take care of.
“I’m headed out,” she said, grabbing her keys on the way to the door.
Jack looked up from his notebook. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“I’ll only be a few minutes. You stay here and write, and when I get back, we’ll have lunch.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He raised a hand in salute.
The drive to Sam’s store took less than ten minutes, but it was enough time for Ellie to prepare a statement. She wanted the store, plain and simple, and she only hoped it was still available.
“I’ve changed my mind,” she said as Sam welcomed her inside. “I’ve decided to stay in Bloomington after all, and Jack’s here with me. I apologize for all the confusion, and if it isn’t too late, I’d like to buy the store.”
Sam frowned heavily. “Ellie, I hate to break it to you, dear, but I already sold it. When you said you were leaving, I put a sign in the window and had an offer within twenty-four hours.”
Ellie wilted. “Can I ask who you sold to?”
“An out-of-towner… said he wants the space for an appliance store.”
Ellie collapsed into a chair, shaking her head in defeat.
“Ellie, I’m terribly sorry. If I’d known…”
“It’s not your fault, Sam,” she grumbled. “If anything, it’s mine. I’m the one who couldn’t make up my mind. I only wish I’d come to my senses sooner.” To have come this far only to have her heart broken left Ellie feeling hollow.
“You know, you could always try to buy it back,” he offered. “It might cost you a little more, but everyone has a price.”
She looked up, feeling a tinge of hope. “You think?”
“It’s worth a shot.” Sam checked the time. “In fact, he’s on his way here now to look around the store.”
Ellie roamed the shelves, gently dusting the old books and straightening knickknacks. The inside looked as it always had, with books as far as the eye could see.
When the door opened, she looked up and saw Jack.
“Fancy running into you,” he said as he walked in, a smile stretched across his face.
“I thought you’d be writing.”
“I was, but I had some business to take care of.”
“Look,” she cried, pointing to theSoldsign in the window. “Sam sold it already. Can you believe it?”
“Oh, Ellie, I’m sorry.” Jack comforted her. “Did he say who bought it?”
She shook her head. “Someone from out of town.” Dejected, Ellie sat down on one of the comfy reading chairs and stared out the window. “You don’t know how much I wanted this place, Jack.” She felt as if the air had been knocked out of her.
Jack sat down beside her and draped an arm over her shoulder. “I know,” he whispered, pulling her close. “Do you want to go and get some lunch and we can talk about it?”
She shook her head. “I’m waiting to talk to the new owner. Sam said he’ll be here soon. I’m going to offer him above asking price to buy it back.”
