26. Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“I’ve already endorsed the back of the check. It’s all yours.”
“I don’t understand. Why are you giving me your winnings? You earned this.” Aunt Bonnie held the envelope out to her. “Here. Take it back.”
Maxi didn’t make any motion to take it back. “You are the reason I entered the race.”
“Me?” Aunt Bonnie pressed a hand to her chest.
“Yes. When I learned about the prize money, I was determined to win. You’ve always been there for me since my mom died. I wanted some way to pay you back.”
Aunt Bonnie shook her head. “I never wanted you to pay me back. I did it because I love you.”
Maxi’s heart swelled with love. “I know you do. And I love you too. So, will you please take the money? You can go on vacation or make some of those repairs on the house that you’ve been talking about. I know it won’t cover everything.”
Aunt Bonnie gasped. “But I can’t. It… It wouldn’t be right.” She waved the envelope at her. “Please, take this back.”
Maxi smiled and shook her head. “I can’t. It’s yours.”
Her aunt sighed. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Maybe you could take me in.” When her aunt’s brows scrunched together with confusion showing in her eyes, Maxi said, “I’m going to need a place to live when I move here.”
“What?” Owen’s voice held a note of surprise.
At the same time, Aunt Bonnie said, “What are you talking about?”
Maxi grinned. It appeared that she’d caught them both off-guard. It wasn’t exactly what she’d been planning. In fact, she hadn’t planned any of this. For the first time in her life, she was just going with her gut. And it was telling her that this island was her new home.
“I’m going back to Virginia to sell the business and the house. Then I’m moving here to be with my family.” She glanced at her aunt, and then she looked at Owen. “And my guy. This is where my future is.”
Owen reached out and took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. The love showed in his eyes. She leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.
When she pulled back, she looked at her aunt. “Would you be willing to let me stay with you while I search for a place of my own?”
“Of course. You can stay here as long as you want.” Aunt Bonnie’s gaze lowered to the envelope. “Are you really sure you want me to put the money into the house?”
Maxi nodded. “I want you to do what you want with it. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
While Aunt Bonnie went to get them some cold drinks to celebrate everything that had taken place that day, Maxi turned to Owen. “I hope you liked my surprise.”
He slid over closer to her. “I loved your surprise.” His arm slid over her shoulders as his face grew sober. “Are you sure about your decision? I don’t want you to give up everything in Virginia just because you think it’s what I want you to do.”
“I’m positive. I would do this even if you and I weren’t together. My aunt isn’t getting any younger, and she’s all the family I have left. I would like to be close to her. Plus, I love the island and the people. This is where I want to be.”
“Good. Because I love having you here.” He stared deep into her eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” After a brief kiss, she pulled back. “Wait here. I have something for you.”
“For me?” When she nodded, he asked, “What is it?”
She grinned. “It’s a surprise. Now wait here. I’ll be right back.”
She ran upstairs and grabbed her drawing pad. She felt bad that she hadn’t framed it or anything, but there was just no time. The past week had been so chaotic.
She rushed back downstairs and found that her aunt still hadn’t returned with their drinks. Maxi sat down next to Owen and handed him the sketch book. “Go ahead. Open it.”
A smile came over his handsome face. “You drew me something?”
She nodded.
He opened the pad of paper. He didn’t say anything at first. She couldn’t tell if he liked it or not. She started to worry.
And then his gaze lifted to meet hers. “Is that supposed to be me in the Mustang?”
She nodded once more, not trusting her voice.
His gaze returned to the sketch. “I love it. You’re so talented. I’m going to frame it and hang it above my desk.”
“You don’t have to hang it.”
“Yes, I do. And when you draw more, I’ll have those up on the wall too.”
“I don’t know if I’ll have time to draw much. I have a new job I’ll be starting.”
“A job? Wow. You’ve been busy. What sort of job?”
She smiled. “I’m applying for a position at the Welcome Center. I really like working with the public.”
“Well, all right then. Sounds like everything is falling in place for you.”
“It is. I have a new boyfriend too. I want to spend all of my spare time with him. So, I don’t know if I’ll draw more.”
“A new boyfriend, huh?”
“Uh-huh.” She grinned. “And I love him very…”
Her words were smothered by his kiss. It didn’t last long, because her aunt returned with refreshments. It seemed that her aunt got sidetracked by Birdie calling to send her congratulations on the win.
After they finished their drinks, her aunt went to call her other friends and tell them the news about Maxi moving to the island. Maxi and Owen headed back to the carnival. This time they left the cart behind and instead strolled hand in hand.
The carnival was hopping, but they were able to ride the Ferris wheel. Owen held her hand as they rose in the air. When they reached the top, the ride stopped. Maxi looked around, amazed at the view. “Look there’s a big boat on the horizon.”
Owen let out a laugh. “I think when they are that size, they’re called ships.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks flooded with heat. “I guess I still have some things to learn about living on the island.”
“And I’ll be happy to tutor you.”
She smiled at him. “Looking forward to it.”
“But first, I’d like to volunteer my services to help you with everything you have to do in Virginia.”
She looked at him to see if he was just saying the right words or if he really meant them. “I would really like that. I honestly don’t have a clue where to begin.”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “We’ll figure it out together.”
She had a feeling that very good things were in their future. At last, she was home.
After the Ferris Wheel ride, they walked around and played a couple of games. Owen won her a white teddy bear with a pink bow.
The music at the grandstand stopped. Mayor Banks took the mic. “I hope everyone is having fun at the carnival.”
A loud applause sounded from the audience. Maxi and Owen stopped to listen to what he had to say.
The mayor announced the winners of the grand prix for anyone who had missed it. And he pointed out Maxi, who smiled and waved at everyone. She was starting to feel like a small-town celebrity. She knew it wouldn’t last, as there was always something happening on the island.
“And now Aster Bell is here to tell you about Bluestar’s next event.” He stepped aside.
A pregnant Aster stepped on stage. She looked a bit pale, then again Maxi didn’t really know her to make that judgement.
“Hi, everyone,” Aster said. “It’s a beautiful day for a carnival.” There were more cheers and clapping.
“I won’t take much of your time. I wanted to tell you that we’re going to have the Bluestar Arts Festival next month.
If you’re an artist, there’s still time to enter.
Just stop by my office in city hall, and I’ll get you all set up.
” Aster hesitated and pressed a hand to her forehead. “Boy, is it hot out here.”
Maxi gently nudged Owen. “Does she look all right to you?”
He never got a chance to answer. Aster collapsed in a heap. Maxi gasped along with most of the people around her.
Owen took off at a run. In a couple of seconds, he was on the stage, instructing the mayor to call nine-one-one. While her boyfriend relied on his paramedic training to help Aster, Maxi looked on in horror. She hoped Aster and her baby would be all right…
Turn the page to read Maxi and Owen’s epilogue.
And then return to Bluestar Island for the first book in The Adams Family of Bluestar Island series…
THE ART OF SEASHELLS. Continue reading about total opposites Lily Adams and Mayor Tony Banks.
The Bluestar Arts Festival is set to take place that September, and it will be up to Lily and Tony to keep it on track while Aster is out on maternity leave…
but they each have different ideas about how to do it!