Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“But I—” Josie barely got two words out when Mari looked at Malcolm.
“This is a great idea, isn’t it, Malcolm?” Before he could reply, she said, “Convince her!”
And now the two of them were looking at him. How had this become his decision? The truth was that the idea of Josie staying, about Elderflower Island being her new home, did feel right. It meant he wouldn’t have to say good-bye. And that was all he could think, after the time they’d spent together—he wasn’t ready to say good-bye.
He smiled down at the woman who’d become such a vital part of his life in such a short time. “Stay, Josie.” It wasn’t eloquent, but it was exactly what he was feeling. He turned and took her hand in his. “How does the idea sound to you?”
She seemed speechless for a moment, looking deeply into his eyes as if she were trying to read his mind. Trying to see if he truly meant she should stay.
“Well, since my mother’s moved away from Coeur d’Alene, it’s not the same without her, even though I have great friends. And I do absolutely love it here. It has felt like home from the first moment I arrived. Mari, you and your bookshop are amazing. And Malcolm, your family has been so friendly and welcoming.” She paused as though she was trying to corral her thoughts. “Can I think about it? Can I have a little time to digest all of this?”
“Of course,” Mari said. “I didn’t mean to just spring this request on you, for you to uproot your entire life and change everything. It’s just—it would be so amazing if you were here full time. Elderflower Island just doesn’t feel like it would be the same without you now. I know you’ve only been here a week, but I really feel like you belong here. Like you’re a local already. Doesn’t she, Malcolm?”
He nodded, smiling. “It’s true. You really do fit in here.”
She smiled at both of them. “Wow. Of everything I thought might happen today, I never saw this coming.”
Mari’s phone rang, and after a glance she said, “It’s my book editor. I really need to take this. I swear I don’t mean to pressure you, but whenever you make your decision, let me know.” She gave Josie a hug and dashed off.
Josie sat on an antique painted bench that Fiona had brought over for the garden. “I am floored by this. Move here? Sure, there’s been a part of me the entire time I’ve been here that was dreaming of it. But actually making it a reality? I don’t know what to think.”
He sat beside her, knowing that he should give her time and space to process. But he couldn’t keep the words from spilling out. “Stay, and we won’t end at two weeks.”
Her head whipped around so she could face him. “What? What did you just say?”
He took both of her hands in his and drew her closer on the bench. “Let’s try. Let’s try to make this be real. A real relationship, not just a two-week fling. If you’re going to live here, then don’t you think we’re worth a shot?”
She looked at him as though she couldn’t believe what he was saying. “What have you done with Malcolm Sullivan? When we first decided to have the fling, you made it totally clear that you had no interest in a real, permanent relationship.”
“I know, and I meant it then. But things have changed.”
“What has changed?”
A part of him had assumed that when he told her he wanted to have a real relationship, she would jump at it. Instead, she was questioning him. Almost as though she was questioning his sanity.
“Being with you, that’s what has changed things. Every moment we spend together… I love it. I love being with you.” He’d never said those words to anyone else. Because he’d never felt what he felt for Josie. He’d never loved being with anyone the way he loved being with her.
“I love being with you too,” she said softly. “But I don’t want either of us to make a hasty decision just because my career and living plans might be changing.”
“Why not? Why not take the risk?”
She stared at him, and he knew that she was mulling over the question, thinking about her answer. “Because I’ve been hurt before. Badly. I swore I wasn’t going to get involved with anyone again. That even our fling wasn’t going to move into any kind of emotional territory where I would end up hurt.”
“Did that work?” He studied her face, realizing that her answer mattered. Deeply mattered. “Were you able to keep things with me from becoming emotional?”
She shook her head. “No. I haven’t been able to do that.”
He couldn’t hold back his smile. “Then jump with me, Josie. I know you’ve been hurt. I don’t want to hurt you, not the way he hurt you. I care about you. More than I’ve ever cared for anyone, apart from my family.”