Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
J enna hurried to Coastal Coffee the next morning, hoping to catch Nash before he left. Beverly greeted her warmly with a friendly embrace. “Good morning. You just missed Nash. But I heard the news.”
She frowned slightly. Hadn’t she and Nash just agreed to keep Vera’s secret?
“He said you two had worked out your differences and are seeing each other again.” Beverly’s face lit up with a wide, genuine smile.
“Oh, that.” She grinned. “There is that bit of news.”
“And I ran into the Jenkins twins, who told me they caught Nash kissing you out in front of Miss Eleanor’s.” Beverly laughed. “Those two find out everything first. But I’m happy for the two of you.”
Jenna felt a blush creep across her face.
Beverly took her hand. “Come join Dorothy and Tori. Have you met Dorothy yet? She owns Bayside Bed and Breakfast.”
“No, I haven’t. But I don’t want to intrude on their breakfast.”
“Don’t be silly,” Beverly insisted as she led her over to her table.
“Jenna, please join us,” Tori insisted with a welcoming smile.
“Dorothy, this is Jenna.”
“Great to meet you, Jenna. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“You have?” Jenna took Dorothy’s outstretched hand.
“Of course. And I heard you’re fixing up the old Weston place.”
“There’s not much left to do. It’s beginning to look just like I imagined.” She laughed. “Well, except for the couches I inherited. I’m afraid they need to be recovered, but I’m not much of a sewing expert. Last time I touched a sewing machine was home economics in high school.”
“You’re in luck then, because I am an expert. I could help you make them,” Dorothy offered, her eyes lighting up at the prospect.
“Dorothy here is our crafty expert. Sewing. Knitting. Anything crafty,” Beverly added, her voice full of admiration. “She’s got magic in her fingers, I swear.”
“If you’re serious, I’d love to. Even though I did need help with some of the repairs on the cottage, I do enjoy fixing things up myself. There’s something so satisfying about breathing new life into old things.”
“Perfect. I’d love to teach you. We’ll make plans to go to the mainland and pick out fabric.” Dorothy’s eyes shone with enthusiasm.
“You know, I have an overstuffed chair that I’d love to recover. Mind if I join in on the lessons?” Tori asked, leaning forward with interest.
“Sure, that would be wonderful,” Dorothy said, then motioned to the empty chair beside her. “Sit and join us, Jenna. Please.”
Jenna sat down at the table and soon was embraced as one of their own. She felt a warmth and acceptance that had escaped her for so long. It was a simple meal with friends, but it felt like so much more. She wasn’t sure how she’d gone from feeling like an outsider in Magnolia Key to feeling like she belonged, but happiness crept through her as they sat, chatted, and made plans.
As she was about to leave the cafe, Beverly caught her arm gently. “So, looks like you’re becoming one of us. I knew you’d fit right in.”
“I’m starting to feel like it.”
Beverly gave her a smile, her eyes twinkling with warmth. “You are one, a real local now. Welcome home, Jenna.”
Jenna saw Nash almost every day over the next few weeks. He worked on the cottage and they took long walks on the beach, talking about their lives, getting to know each other better. She met his family—all of them—and that was quite an ordeal. She’d been so nervous to meet them, but they’d all been lovely to her.
Now Nash stood in her kitchen, fixing the last window that needed adjusting. “There you have it. I think that’s all of them.”
“Thank you. I was using a ruler to prop it open.”
“Can’t have your contractor leaving jobs unfinished, now can we?” He walked over and pulled her into his arms. “Like, I think I left that last kiss unfinished.”
“Oh, is kissing part of the services you provide as a contractor?” She grinned up at him.
“Only for my special clients.” He winked and settled his lips on hers.
When they parted, his arms still encircled her waist. “And I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
Before she could respond, a knock echoed through the cottage. “Hold that thought, I’ve got to get that.”
“Someone has lousy timing,” he grumbled good-naturedly before stealing a quick kiss and reluctantly releasing her.
She hurried to the front door and threw it open. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Marly. What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here until Friday.”
Marly laughed, her eyes shining with excitement. “I thought I’d come surprise you early. Hope that’s okay. I’ve missed you.”
“Of course it is.” She hugged her sister tightly, realizing how much she’d missed seeing her all the time. “I’ve missed you, too.”
As they stepped inside, Marly’s eyes darted around the place. “And I couldn’t wait to see… your place.”
Jenna grinned at her sister. “You mean meet Nash?”
“Did I hear my name?” Nash came walking out of the kitchen.
“Nash, this is my sister, Marly. She’s early. You’ll soon find out Marly is full of surprises.”
He reached out his hand. “Marly, so great to meet you.”
Marly gave him an obvious once over. “Good to meet you too. The guy that finally got my sis to move on with her life.”
“Marly…” she warned.
Her sister grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. “Just teasing. Kinda.”
Nash took the teasing in stride. “Hey, I’ve got to head to Mom’s. You’ll still be over this evening?”
Jenna hesitated, glancing at her sister. She didn’t want Marly to feel left out or like she was infringing on their plans. “Marly? You up for it? I’m supposed to have dinner with his family tonight.”
To her relief, Marly waved off her concerns. “But I don’t want to intrude,” she said, though Jenna could tell she was intrigued by the idea of meeting Nash’s family.”
“You won’t be. Mom believes in the more the merrier. And I’m warning you, there’s a lot of us. And we’re noisy.” Nash brushed a kiss on Jenna’s cheek and walked toward the door. “We’ll see you two for dinner.” He gave her one last smile before slipping outside.
She turned to Marly, a wide smile spreading across her face. “Well, looks like you’re getting the full Magnolia Key experience. Dinner with the Carlisles.”
“Hey, I can’t wait to meet them all. And I’m so glad to see you’ve got that sparkle back in your eyes.” Marly glanced around the cottage. “So… tell me everything. Looks like the cottage is finished.”
“It is.”
“And you and Nash?”
“Couldn’t be better.” She couldn’t help the immediate smile that swept across her lips.
Marly reached out and took her hand. “I’m so glad to see you so happy. You deserve it.”
“I’ve finally found a way to make peace with my past. To move on. I’ll always regret my part in it all, but… I can’t change what happened. I’ve just given myself a little grace and forgiveness.”
“I’m proud of you, sis.”
“Hope you’ll still be talking to me after dinner. Nash wasn’t kidding when he said his family was… a lot.” She laughed and linked her arm through her sister’s, leading her further into the cottage. “Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour. And then we can catch up before we head over to the Carlisles’.”
They went to the Carlisles’ that evening and Marly and Pam hit it off immediately. They dove into an animated conversation, their laughter carrying across the backyard. It warmed her heart to see her sister getting along so well with Nash’s family—even when it involved her and Pam dissecting Nash and Jenna’s relationship in enthusiastic detail. Jenna just shook her head and let them have at it, knowing it was futile to protest.
Nash appeared at her side and handed her a cold beer. “You doing okay?”
She smiled, feeling a surge of contentment wash over her. “I’ve never been better,” she assured him, meaning every word.
Nash nodded, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his expression. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you,” he began, his voice low and serious.
“Oh, right. When Marly interrupted us earlier, you were starting to say something.”
“Yeah, I was.” Nash took a deep breath, his gaze intense. “I know this might not be the best time, but I need to tell you, anyway. It can’t wait any longer.”
A trickle of apprehension ran down Jenna’s spine as she studied his face, trying to prepare herself for whatever he was about to say. “What is it?” she asked softly, her heart beginning to race.
Nash reached out and took her hand in his, his calloused fingers entwining with hers. “I wanted to tell you…” He paused, his eyes locking with hers. “That I love you, Jenna.”
Her breath caught in her throat and she could only stare at him, her mind reeling as she tried to process what he said. Her heart soared as his words sank in. She marveled at the depth of emotion in his eyes, feeling as if she might burst with happiness. “You… you love me?” she managed to whisper, her voice trembling.
“I do. I’m madly, deeply, hopelessly in love with you. And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said, his voice husky with emotion.
Overcome with joy, she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close. She breathed in his familiar scent, feeling his heart beat in rhythm with hers. “Oh, Nash. I love you too. So much,” she whispered against his ear.
Their moment was interrupted as Nash’s nephews came racing up to him. “Uncle Nash, you gonna kiss Miss Jenna all night, or you gonna play catch with us?” the older boy asked.
Nash’s laugh rang out across the backyard, warm and rich. “Now, that’s a tough choice, guys. A tough choice.”
“Boys, leave your uncle alone,” Pam called out from where she and Marly stood grinning.
Nash turned back to her, his eyes twinkling. “Now, where were we?”
Jenna bit her lip, trying to suppress a grin, but it was impossible as pure happiness surged through her. “You were about to kiss me again and tell me you love me again,” she teased.
“Ah, yes. That.” He reached out and cupped her face with his strong hand. “I love you, Jenna. Very much. You’ve been such an unexpected surprise in my life. You have my whole heart.”
And her heart somersaulted in her chest at his words. “I love you, Nash Carlisle. For being so understanding, so patient, and…” She grinned mischievously at him. “For being a good kisser.”
He laughed out loud, then leaned in and kissed her again, his lips soft and warm against hers. Jenna melted into the kiss, feeling truly at home for the first time in a very long time.
“Oh, and another thing,” Nash said as he pulled back slightly and looked down at her. “I was thinking we’d start on taking down that wall between the kitchen and the living room.”
“But I told you, I don’t have the funds for that.”
“That’s the good thing about having me as your boyfriend. You’ll get free labor and I’ll salvage up the other supplies. Won’t cost you a penny.”
“Nash, that’s incredibly generous of you,” she said, her voice soft with emotion. “But I don’t want you to feel obligated to take on more work on my behalf. You’ve already done so much…”
He grinned down at her, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s not an obligation, Jenna. I want to do this for you.”
“Then thank you. It will look great once that wall is gone. It will really open up the space and bring in more light.”
“And if it makes you happy, it makes me happy.” He slipped his arm around her waist again and they stood in the shade of the live oak in the corner of his parents’ backyard.
Standing there with him, surrounded by the warmth and easy acceptance of his family, a profound sense of belonging washed over her. In just a few short months, Magnolia Key had worked its way into her heart, offering her a safe haven from her troubled past and a chance to build a new life. The island’s unhurried pace, charming ambiance, and welcoming community had woven its magic around her and finally brought her the peace she needed.