Chapter 63

sixty-three

BEN

I locked a glass cabinet in my jewelry store and studied the display. The copper necklaces looked lovely against the deep red velvet I'd found at the market. With the photos I'd uploaded onto my website, they shouldn't take long to sell.

After spending a lot of time working on the royal collection, it was nice to add something different to my catalog.

The doorbell chimed and Jonathon rushed into the store. "You're not going to believe what's happened."

"You're smiling, so it can't be too bad."

Jonathon did a happy dance. "It's so awesome that I don't know where to begin. The person in charge of the marketing team at Wilson Enterprises received my first shipment of fudge. She was so impressed with the taste and the packaging that she's featuring it on the landing page of the prestige website."

"That sounds great."

Jonathon threw his hands in the air. "It's more than great. It's mind-blowing. Wilson Enterprises wants me to send them another two thousand bags of fudge. Two thousand! I'll have to employ more staff and order a lot more ingredients."

My eyes widened. "When do they want the fudge?"

"By the end of the month. I know. It's not far away. But it's totally doable. Kathleen and Daniella are going to work more hours, and I've offered the students in the church hospitality program a job. I can't believe this has happened—and it's all because of you." Jonathon rushed across the store and hugged me tight. "If Daniel hadn't come here to find you, and he didn't find my store, none of this would have happened."

"I'm really happy for you. But what about your wedding? You still have a few things to organize."

"We've booked all the main things. As long as we don't make any changes, we'll be okay."

I hoped everything went according to plan. "If you need an extra pair of hands to help, just ask."

"You're even busier than I am," Jonathon said. "I can't wait to see your new collection."

"I'm sending each necklace to Manhattan as soon as it's finished, but I'll call you before the next one leaves my studio."

"That'd be great." Jonathon checked his watch. "I'd better get back to the store. Kathleen will want a lunch break soon."

The doorbell jingled and Jonathon looked over his shoulder. "Daniel! It's good to see you. Thanks for everything your company has done for me."

Daniel smiled as Jonathon gave him a big hug. "I should come to Sunrise Bay more often."

"You can come as often as you like," Jonathon told him. "Make sure you visit my store before four o'clock. I've made a special box of fudge for you."

"You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did. I've got to go. Bye, Ben."

"Bye." As soon as Jonathon left, I flicked the "Open" sign to "Closed" and locked the door. When I turned to Daniel, he was grinning like a cat who'd found a tasty bowl of cream.

"I like your friends."

I smiled. "So do I. A hug can change the way you look at the world."

Daniel's grin faded. "Has it changed the way you look at me?"

The huskiness in his voice was almost my unraveling. After Daniel left my cottage last night, I hadn't done much of anything except think about him, about the way my life had changed since I'd met him. How I had changed.

I placed my hands on either side of his face and stared into his eyes. "Everything about the last month has changed the way I look at you. You're a good man. You care about the people around you, and you want to make a difference."

I rose on tiptoes and kissed him. "But the biggest change is what has happened to me. Before I met you, I was angry. Angry at how Dad was treated, angry at the way the media destroyed his life. I was hiding in Sunrise Bay, embarrassed to be Tony Harper's son. Then you came along and made me confront all the things I feared. Because of you, I've found the real me."

The wariness in Daniel's gaze was replaced with a trust so true that it brought tears to my eyes.

"I love you, Ben. I've always wanted to live a happy and courageous life with someone who loves me as much as I love him. You're that person. I can't imagine my life without you." He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

I relaxed against his chest and breathed in the essence of the man who'd become the most important person in my life. "What will I do when you leave?"

"Probably the same thing I'll be doing—thinking about you all the time and looking forward to our next weekend together." He kissed the top of my head. "But you might be seeing more of my family than you realize."

My eyebrows rose. "Is your brother coming to Sunrise Bay?"

"Not yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if you see him soon. Granddad's decided to stay in Sunrise Bay for another two weeks. The foreman of the tiny village project is going to Montana for a family emergency. Pastor Adam asked Granddad if he'd keep the project on track."

"That's a big commitment. Was Patrick happy to stay here?"

"More than happy. Since he sold his company he's felt lost. Working with Adam and the apprentices has given Granddad a new lease on life. I'm helping him move his suitcases into the foreman's home after lunch."

I knew how addictive living in a small town could become. "Do you think he'll want to go home afterward?"

"I'm not sure."

A gentle tapping on the window made us both turn around.

I smiled. Patrick was holding a bag of Jonathon's fudge in his hand and pointing to his watch. "I think your granddad wants to have lunch with us."

Daniel sighed. "I think you're right. Is that okay?"

"It's more than okay. Who wouldn't want two of the most handsome men in town sitting beside them?"

Daniel laughed. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

I unlocked the front door. "A few times, but I'm not complaining."