Chapter 16 #3
He continued. “I want you to know that I really didn’t have any idea about this, but after you left the night of the festival…” His voice broke.
Her gaze snapped back up to him. “What happened?”
“Isaac admitted that he did sabotage you. And not just with the pipes. With other things, including slipping some bad fudge into your sampler box for Kent Mercer.”
“What?”
“I know. I’m so, so sorry. Almost as soon as I found out—though I’m ashamed to say it wasn’t sooner—I went to the town council. Told them everything.”
Her head spun. “And your family was okay with that?”
“No. They were furious.”
Lily paced. He’d gone against his family’s wishes? “So what does this mean, then? What did the council say?”
“Unfortunately, they didn’t think there was enough evidence since Isaac only admitted it to me.”
“Oh.” She halted, slumping against the counter. For just a moment, she’d hoped…
“But, Lil.” Declan moved closer, placing the folder on the counter in front of her.
He flipped it open, pointed to the paper on top.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m giving it to you.
Here’s the lease agreement, sublet to you.
And here are the keys, and a copy of my own business plan in case that will help you.
” His brow dipped as he flipped to the last document in the folder.
“And the lease to my grandma’s house, if you want it. It’s yours by rights.”
“Declan. No.” She pulled the paper from the folder and placed it in his hands. “I told you. I’d never take it from her.”
“Thank you, Lily.” Swallowing hard, he looked away. “My family really doesn’t deserve your mercy, not after they tried to cheat you.”
All of the implications from their conversation—from what was happening right now—swirled in Lily’s brain. “I’m assuming they’re against this. Will that be a problem?”
He shook his head and flipped his attention back to hers, his gaze intense.
“I double checked, but the contract was in my name only. Theirs isn’t mentioned anywhere.
So while they’re not very happy with me right now, and they don’t fully understand my reasons, they don’t have a say.
” Picking up the folder, he held it out to her.
“The shop is yours, as it always should have been.”
Her mouth opened, closed. This was the last thing she’d expected when she’d arrived here this morning. Her family’s fudge shop, safe. Their legacy, continuing. “Thank you, Declan. Really.”
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Well, I’ll get out of your hair. I’ve got to get home and pack.
I need to leave early in the morning, and my whole family is gathering tonight for dinner.
So.” His head tilted. “I really am sorry, Lily. But I know you’re going to make this a huge success. And I wish you all the best.”
His words burrowed into her heart, made a home there. “You’re really leaving?” she whispered.
“Yes. But before I did, I wanted you to know that I heard you. That I…”
“Chose me.”
He nodded. “And I’d do it again. I’m only sorry it’s not enough. That I didn’t do it right away. That I didn’t see a world in which I could have my family’s respect and your love. I’m not sure I’ll ever really forgive myself for that.”
Oh, Declan. She set the file folder on the counter and stepped toward him. “We both made mistakes, you know. I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean what I said. You’re more than just a Kelley. You’re your own man, and who you are is someone I will root for always, no matter what you do.”
He just stared at her, both of them frozen between the swirl of what if s. Then he snatched her hand, looking down at it engulfed in his. “Thank you, Lily. That means more than you’ll ever know.” Then he gave it a squeeze, dropped it, and started to back away.
“Declan,” she blurted.
He froze.
“Um. I…that is.” She glanced around. What was the thrill in doing all of this by herself? She didn’t want to be a one-woman show. Didn’t need to prove anything anymore.
And she didn’t want to be alone. Didn’t want to live without the man she loved.
“Would you ever consider…”
He stilled. “Consider what?”
“Just…not leaving?”
He smiled then, the kind of smile that lit up her entire body. Sheesh, she should call him Maverick with the trouble in his blue eye. As if…
Had he wanted her to ask?
Maybe, because, “And what would I do if I stayed?”
Two could play at this game. “I know you’ve got a big important job waiting for you in Chicago, but how do you feel about fudge?”
“Meh. It’s okay.”
“Worth sticking around for?”
“Maybe.” Declan edged up to her. “But I’m not much of a fudge maker.”
She closed the gap between them, her hand on his chest. “No, you’re not. But I can probably find a position here.”
“Like?”
“I don’t know. Handyman? Plumber? Maybe throw in some accounting?”
His hands found her waist, drew her closer. “I don’t know. It’s not much of an offer. Throw in the fudge maker , and we might have a deal.”
“I think we can negotiate terms.”
“Oh, you’re such a hard-nosed business person.” He wound his hand behind her neck, ran his thumb down her cheek, leaving tendrils of heat in its wake.
“I know you have a big job in Chicago?—”
“No,” he said. “I don’t. I mean, yes, I do, but…” All teasing vanished from his eyes. “I wanted it for the wrong reasons. And being away from here holds nothing for me.” His eyes turned misty. “I’ve fallen in love again with Jonathon Island.”
He lowered his mouth, but she put her hand up.
“What?” he asked.
“ Just Jonathon Island?” Her voice had turned husky, the nearness of him, the strength of his arms around her—she’d lost all power in this negotiation.
“No, Lily.” He pulled slightly away, smiled. “The fudge shop too.”
“Declan!” She started to wrench out of his hold, smacking him. But she laughed.
Oh, it felt good, so good, to laugh with him.
Chuckling, he grabbed her again. “Okay, you win.” He cupped her face. “I love you, Lil. I choose you. Always. Forever.”
“You’re hired?—”
He kissed her. His lips solid against hers, his arms tight around her, sealed the deal.
And what a deal it was.
He finally lifted his head.
She patted his jacket. “I like it. I guess I’ll have to call you Maverick now.”
He nodded, grinning. “Whatever you say, boss.” Then he kissed her again. And of course he tasted of fudge, and homecoming, and the happy ending she’d always known was waiting for her on Jonathon Island.
She’d just had to win the war to get it.