CHAPTER ONE

Six months later . . .

Everett navigated his way along the sidewalk, weaving between the tourists who’d flocked to the beaches around Chances Inlet for vacation. Several of them greeted him with a smile or a nod. A few did a double take when they recognized him. Not surprising, since his image had been plastered all over the media with the release of his memoir earlier in the summer.

“Welcome back,” Lamar said as he fell into step beside Everett. “Although this place will probably seem a bit tame after the whirlwind book tour you’ve just wrapped up.”

“After six weeks of living out of a suitcase, ‘tame’ feels like heaven,” he replied.

Of course Helen had insisted on trotting Everett out for interviews and lectures in seventeen cities across the U.S., as well as three in Europe. The only saving grace was having Kitty by his side. Ever the optimist, Kitty managed to turn the tour into more of a honeymoon trip than a tedious chore. Still, when they fell into bed inside their loft last night, they’d both moaned “it’s good to be home.”

Home.

He glanced around at the town square with its Civil War cannon draped in red, white and blue bunting in honor of the upcoming Fourth of July. The gazebo looked equally as festive, while the hundred-year-old live oak towered over them both with colorful Chinese lanterns hanging from its branches. Home for Everett had been an elusive mirage for the past forty years. He’d lived in places where he slept and worked, but never a place where he felt like he belonged.

Until now.

Lois poked her head out of the door of the Java Jolt. “You forget where to get your coffee, stranger?”

Everett’s chest squeezed. When had he ever lived in a place where the people cared if he returned or not? He grinned at the geriatric barista. “I’ve been dreaming of your coffee since the day I left.”

Her rheumy eyes twinkled as she handed him a paper cup with stream seeping out of the lid. “Better get a move on.” She jerked her chin in the direction of the bookstore across the square. “Folks in that line are getting restless and the store doesn’t open for another twenty minutes.”

He risked a peek across the square. Sure enough, the queue outside the Whale of a Tale stretched beyond Knotical, all the way down the block past the wine shop before it disappeared around the corner. Paige was probably bouncing off the bookshelves with delight.

Everett couldn’t help his smile. Two hours of signing books would do a number on his hand, but it was worth it. For so long, his celebrity belonged only to him. And more often than not, it was a heavy burden. Now, though, he could use his influence to help his friends.

His town.

“Don’t worry, Lois,” Xander said as he stepped out of the bakery next door. “West has the sheriff for crowd control. And if that doesn’t work, Tatum is headed that way with her cart full of patriotic cookies.”

Xander extended a hand to Everett. “I hope you’re still talking to us little people now that you inked a big movie deal for your life story.”

The three men crossed the street. “For the record, the movie will be based on parts of my memoir and my late wife’s journals.”

As he’d expected, Elle’s editing of Keeley’s notebooks was perfect in its poignancy. Helen ended up as the highest bidder for the publishing rights, meaning Elle was set for life if she managed her money wisely. A production company had snatched up the movie rights based on a draft of the first three chapters. He couldn’t decide who to be prouder of—Keeley for her keen observations about life, or Elinor for her deft handling of the words written by a woman she’d never met.

“Elle is certainly the shining star of the McAlister family right now,” Xander said.

“She’s always been the shining star.” Hayden announced as he joined their march across the grass.

Lamar chuckled and clapped his deputy on the shoulder. “Thankfully she has you to keep her humble.”

Hayden groaned. “Hard to do when everyone wants a piece of her. She’s been so busy with the town’s social media, the Courier and the book, I’ve barely had ten minutes alone with her these past six weeks.” He shot Everett a side-eye. “You’d better be staying put for the weekend because I’ve got plans for her. Plans that don’t include anyone else but me.”

“Message received,” Everett replied. “I don’t foresee leaving town anytime soon. In fact, take her away for more than a weekend. She deserves it.”

“Hey,” Lamar interjected. “Summer is our busiest season of the year. This guy is already burning through his PTO crafting works of art that people use as furniture. He has the weekend off and that’s all until I can bring on another deputy.”

“Looks like they are a couple of shining stars,” Xander remarked as they crossed the street in front of the bookstore.

“You’re leaving the sheriff’s office?” Everett shouldn’t have been surprised, but he was. He knew from Kitty how much Hayden loved that job. How it had helped him move from being a wounded warrior to feeling like he was a contributing part of society again. Yet, his furniture business was taking off thanks to Elle and Livi’s help. Finding balance between his two passions was likely difficult.

“I’m not turning in my badge anytime soon,” Hayden replied. “Things are working just fine right now. Besides, we’ll already be down one deputy at the end of summer when Simone goes on maternity leave.”

“He’s coming!” Emily’s shout could be heard over the murmurs of the crowd that grew louder as the four men approached.

Everett grinned. He’d missed his little fan club while he was away. He tapped his messenger bag containing the gifts he’d bought for the kids before waving to acknowledge the people lined up to meet him.

“See you all inside,” he called to them as he hurried into the bookstore.

Henry was the first to reach him, wrapping his arms around Everett’s waist. “What did ya bring me?” he demanded.

“I’m sorry? Do I know you?” Everett teased.

“It’s me. Henry.” The little boy beamed up at him with a gap-tooth smile.

Everett squeezed Henry’s biceps. “Your muscles are too big to be Henry.”

Henry dropped his arms. “I know! I’ve been working out with Ryan and Xander.” He flexed both arms. “I’m going to be the strongest boy in the third grade next year.”

Emily scoffed. “Never mind that,” she said. “We need to show Mr. West his surprise so Aunt Paige can open.” She grabbed Everett’s hand and tugged him deeper into the store.

He was surprised to see a crowd of McAlisters filling the shop. In the center of the room, Kitty, Elle and Claire stood side by side concealing something large, sly grins on all three of their faces. Whitney clapped her hands and did a nervous pirouette.

“What’s this?” Everett directed his question at his beautiful wife.

“It’s your wedding present,” she replied.

“And your editor-in-chief’s gift,” Elle chimed in.

He tore his gaze away from Kitty to stare at Elle. “You already gave me one of those.”

“This one is even better,” Claire proclaimed before haughtily stepping aside to reveal the corner of a beautiful desk.

Kitty and Elle slid away then, too.

“Ta dah!” Emily shouted.

The desk was a work of art. Even more distinguished than the one Livi had bought from Claire’s shop. He must have stood there admiring it for longer than necessary because Kitty was suddenly beside him.

“We thought it would be fun for you to sit behind it to sign your books today. We’ll move it over to the Courier offices tomorrow. Do you like it?”

“Like it? I—I . . .” Everett had no words. He glanced over at Hayden.

The deputy saluted him. “I owe you one,” he said as he wrapped his arm around Elle’s shoulders. “She wouldn’t be here in Chances Inlet if you hadn’t offered her a job.”

Everett snorted. “I offered her a career that she could thrive in from anywhere in the world. It was her choice to build that career here. With you.”

Hayden leaned down to kiss Elle. “Remind me to thank you properly later,” he murmured.

“Not that I can blame her.” Everett looked around the room at the faces of all the people who had become so important to him. “I can’t understand how anyone would want to live anywhere else.” He kissed Kitty. “Thank you for this gift. And thank you all for the gift of your friendship.”

Everyone applauded until Paige cleared her throat loudly.

“This is really sweet, but if I don’t open the shop soon, I’ll need to send my dad out there to calm the angry mob.”

“We’ll be back later for a toast and a private party,” Patricia called as she hustled everyone toward the back door.

“Don’t sell them all,” Xander said. “I want to buy a few for some of my unit.”

“I’m not making any promises,” Paige replied.

“We’re staying to help,” Emily announced.

Whitney led Everett over to the desk. Henry carefully pulled open the drawers.

“See,” the little boy said. “We put lots of pens in here for you.”

Everett glided his palm over the top of the desk before he sat down behind it. Whitney carefully arranged the sticky notes and bookmarks on top. Elle grinned at him from behind her niece who was directing Henry to stand on Everett’s other side.

“I’m so glad I brought you home for Christmas,” Elle said.

He arched an eyebrow at her. “Is that the story we’re going with?”

She donned a cheeky grin and nodded.

“Then me, too, Elinor. Me, too.”

“Pay attention, Mr. West,” Emily commanded. “Your fans are coming.”