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“Wow,” she’d said, impressed. “My deal was just for a basic room and a commemorative ornament.”

“We’ll get those too.”

“Don’t laugh,” she’d warned. “But I was really excited about that. I collect Christmas ornaments. Every year I make sure I add one new one to my tree. I already picked one up at the bookstore, so now I’ll have the resort one too.”

“Why would I laugh?” he’d replied. “That’s a great tradition. Your tree must be full of memories.”

She’d kissed him then, and things had gotten pretty steamy before they realized they were going to be late for the parade.

So, they’d reluctantly put a pause on things.

After all, they had the entire night ahead of them at the resort.

Now, as the last floats rolled past and the crowd dispersed, Alesha slipped her hands over Reece’s arms.

“I want to stop in and check on my dad,” she said. “I know he said he loves working on parade day, but I hope he’s not bored.”

Reece chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

He nodded toward the bookstore.

When she turned, she saw the line stretching out the door.

Shaking her head, she laughed. “I guess it’s safe to say he’s not bored.”

“Nope.” Reece reached for her hand and pointed toward the park. “Let’s go see what’s happening over there.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

They joined the steady stream of people heading down the block. Along the way Reece introduced her to several friends and acquaintances, and it quickly became clear that almost everyone in town knew him.

And when he mentioned that Martin was her father, people immediately lit up, gushing about how much they loved him.

It made her heart swell.

And ache a little.

Her father had built an incredible life here in Harbortown—one she’d barely been part of. Sometimes she wondered what things might have been like if she’d grown up here instead of across the country.

“No frowning,” Reece murmured close to her ear. “This is supposed to be a fun day.”

“You’re right,” she said quickly. “Sorry. My mind wandered.”

“I hate the idea that you’re not having fun.”

“Are you kidding? This is wonderful.” She smiled up at him. “I’m having a great time.”

He visibly relaxed.

They wandered through the park for the next hour, drifting from vendor to vendor. They shared giant cookies, sipped hot cocoa, and eventually picked out a wreath for Reece’s front door. Alesha wanted to buy something from nearly every booth, but by the time they returned to his truck her arms were full and her cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

“Okay,” Reece said, opening the tailgate. “Our luggage is already in the truck, and I think the wreath will survive overnight back here. So if you’re ready, we can head to the resort.”

Walking over to him, she cupped his jaw and kissed him soundly.

“I am more than ready,” she said with a grin. “Let’s go.”