‘It’s a great idea,’ David added.
‘I’m afraid I disagree,’ Eleanor said. ‘Adventure tourism is not what The Shore Hotel is about.’
‘It’s not adventure tourism,’ Jonah argued. ‘But I should have known you wouldn’t understand. It’s about showing people thereal Pine Harbor. This place is truly special, and I want them to go home feeling like they’re taking a little piece of Pine Harbor home with them.’
‘It’s a nice sentiment,’ she said. ‘But I’m sorry, I just don’t think The Shore Hotel is the right venue.’
‘You’re wrong,’ Gray said and Eleanor’s head snapped back as if he’d slapped her. ‘I think our guests will love it.’
‘And as the soon-to-be CEO of this hotel,’ Myles said, ‘I agree. I think it’s just what this hotel, and this town, needs. Come see me Monday morning, Jonah, and we’ll go over the details.’
‘Ooh, honey,’ Anna purred, tugging gently on his tie. ‘I do like your executive voice.’
‘Oh God, save it for upstairs,’ David groaned, miming gagging.
Jonah held out his hand to Myles. ‘Or,’ he suggested, grinning, ‘we could just do what we’ve always done, and nut out the finer details over a beer at The Cozy Catch?’
He laughed, taking Jonah’s hand and shaking it. ‘Deal.’
Eleanor waved a hand. ‘And you expect me to take you seriously as a businessman whenthisis how you behave?’
Jonah shook his head at her. ‘You know what? I don’t care what you think any more. You either accept me for me, or you don’t. I refuse to change myself for you, or anyone. I’m happy with who I am.’ He smiled down at me and put an arm around my waist, and I smiled back at him with tears in my eyes. It wasn’t just words, I could tell. Helookedhappy, as if a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
‘I’ve heard enough for tonight,’ Eleanor said, gesturing to Gray. ‘Our guests will be wondering where we are. We should join them.’
‘I guess there’s my answer,’ Jonah said softly, and I gave him a comforting squeeze, trying to convey that whatever happened with his mother, he had me.
The rest of his family headed back into the ballroom.
‘Shall we join them?’ I asked him.
‘Yeah, in a minute,’ he replied, looking over my shoulder with a frown on his face. ‘Something’s up.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I keep seeing hotel guests heading outside, and I swear that family going out now have their pajamas on underneath their jackets.’
I checked where he was pointing. ‘I think you’re right. But why are they going outside into the cold night?’
‘Only one way to find out.’
Outside, the cold wind made me gasp, and Jonah whipped off his jacket to wrap around my shoulders. People were gathered along the shore path in front of the hotel, gazing skywards. If I hadn’t been a witness to last night’s storm, I’d never have believed it happened. The sky was wide and dark, clear of any of the carnage from the night before. Littered with stars, it was undoubtedly breathtaking, but still I stared, puzzled, wondering why people had gathered to look at what was surely a regular sight in Pine Harbor. Then Jonah gave a sharp intake of breath and grabbed my arm.
‘Look,’ he urged, pointing to the horizon.
At first, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at. A pale tint to the sky, like fog on glass. Then it shifted and I saw it. A green ribbon, moving gently, unfurling.
‘Is that?’ I asked breathily.
‘Northern Lights,’ Jonah confirmed, sounding as entranced as I felt. ‘Here in Pine Harbor.’
We stood in awe, watching as they drifted and danced, graceful and unhurried. Around us the crowd murmured their delight. A child nearby, red and white candy cane in hand, gasped before clapping their gloved hands over their mouth, as if afraid the noise would chase the lights away.
I reached for Jonah’s hand. ‘Everything that’s happened to me since I came here to Pine Harbor has been unreal. It feels like I’m dreaming.’
‘Want me to pinch you?’
I shook my head. ‘No. If thisisa dream, I don’t ever want to wake up.’
