Chapter 17
Blythe
S omething about it being almost seventy degrees in December threw me off. Looking at Christmas trees while not wearing a jacket is…odd. I grew up in Seattle, where it was usually in the thirties during the holiday season, so this sure is a culture shock. Last year, I went back to Seattle for the holidays. Charlie and Wren wanted me to stay, but after the drastic life change, I needed some sense of familiarity.
As I took in all the beautiful holiday decorations, I couldn’t help but feel so grateful that this is my life. I get to live out my dream of owning a bookstore with the love of my life—Wren, obviously—and Charlie. The two of them made me feel complete. When we were together, it felt like nothing else mattered. The world goes silent when I’m with them.
“Look to your right,” Charlie whispered in my ear.
I turned just in time to see a giant turtle statue covered in lights. I instinctively grabbed my phone and practically laid on top of Charlie to get some good pictures for Wren. The kid loved turtles, so who was I to deprive her of these sights?
“You go so out of your way for her.” He observed.
“She’s the best.”
Charlie wrapped a strong arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to us.”
“I don’t know about all that,” I joked. I’m an awkward soul. When people compliment me, I never know what to do, so I make jokes or divert the attention away from myself.
His gaze was serious. “I mean it. You pulled all my broken pieces back together. You gave Wren the mom she deserved. You give her love that she hadn’t experienced before.”
“I’d do anything for that girl. She’s helped me heal my wounds from my messed-up childhood.”
“The kid would kick me to the curb in a heartbeat if it meant she could have her Birdie forever.”
A wide smile spread across my face. Butterflies danced in my stomach, “I have no plans of going anywhere.”
He pressed a kiss to my temple, “Good.”
Charlie’s love language was quality time, so I knew riding around in an old trolley with fifty strangers wasn’t his cup of tea. He was the type of guy who liked to do things at his own pace—without a mob of tourists. He enjoyed nothing more than a chill boat day with the two women in his life that always outvoted him. Charlie is the type of guy who adores cuddling while watching a movie but will never admit to it in public.
Truthfully, I was the same way. Unlike most women, I am not a fan of public displays of affection.
We rode around for another twenty minutes, taking in all the sights. Don’t get me wrong, they decorated Savannah beautifully for the holiday season, but it didn’t hold a candle to Wippowa. Back home, string lights run up and down the palm trees. The trolleys hand out candy canes and hot chocolate in the evenings. The buildings downtown—including Sea Reads and The Coastal Cup—had net lights covering the entirety of the front. At nighttime, it was truly something special.
Until yesterday, when Wren’s teacher came looking for me, I had never felt more like a mom than when we took Wren to see the Christmas tree lighting last weekend. While she looked at the tree with wonder, I couldn’t help but tear up because she wouldn’t have this childlike wonder forever.
Charlie threaded his fingers through mine, sending tingles up my arm. Whenever this man touches me, my nerve endings electrify.
When I called my best friend Rose after the first time Charlie and I brushed hands, she said, and I quote, “You’re gonna marry this man, honey Bee.” At the time, I brushed it off.
Rose: August 29, 1:54 P.M. I’m calling it now. Blythe Whitlock will marry Charlie whatever his last name is...
Blythe: Hannigan.
Rose: Look at you already knowing his name! When’s the wedding?
Blythe: Ha! Never.
Rose: I’m screenshotting these texts to show at your wedding one day.
Blythe: A screenshot you will delete… because it’s not needed.
Rose: What do I get if I’m right?
Blythe: I’ll pay for your manicures for six months.
Rose: Done deal!
I thought back to the text thread and how much had changed. If you had told me back then that I would be living in Wippowa, dating Charlie, and living with him and Wren, I would have laughed. I was staunchly against relationships after how poorly my last one ended. I didn’t like being around kids. I was a completely different person now than I was a year and a half ago.
“Where do you wanna head next? We have four and a half hours—give or take—until dinner.”
I looked up as we strolled the cobblestone street. “They have a cute little bookshop down the street.”
“Show me the way.”
“We don’t have to. What did you have planned?”
“What’s the store’s name?” he asked, reaching for his phone.
“Novel Nook.”
He typed something on his phone before turning it towards me. “Is it this one?”
I nodded.
“That’s the place I was going to take you to.” His smile spread from ear to ear.
Excitement bubbled in my stomach before I stood on my toes, grabbed each side of his bearded face, and planted a kiss on his lips.
“That’s not getting you to the bookstore any quicker.”
I dropped my hands around his waist and folded them behind his back. He pulled me in and I felt my body relax into him. He was my safe space.
“I just felt your body relax. I’m happy you’re enjoyin’ your special weekend.” He placed a kiss on the top of my hair. “Tonight is going to blow you away.”
Charlie’s heart rate picked up. He’s been a little bit off. It’s not super noticeable, but he’s been zoning out today. I don’t know if he missed Wren or was anxious that the restaurant wouldn’t have something he liked.
“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care what we do,” I responded honestly.
“I just want to spoil you today. Let’s get goin’ to that bookstore.”
He led the way down the street and around the corner to Novel Nook. I gasped audibly. It was the cutest bookstore I had ever seen.
“Are you gonna try to make friends?” Charlie joked. Every time I went into a new bookstore, if the owner were there, I would talk with them.
“Of course I am.” I poked my tongue out at him.
We were greeted by a young girl sitting behind the counter. “Welcome in! Please let me know if I can help you find anything.”
I smiled at the girl. “Thank you!”
The shelves were perfectly organized by genre and author and had an incredible selection of book-related merchandise. It was bright and airy—very much like Sea Reads. I wandered around and spotted the romance section. I made my way over with Charlie in tow.
I don’t know who said never to judge a book by its cover, but I sure did. For me, the cover draws your eye to the book in the first place. The thickest book on the shelf caught my eye.
“You would pick up the biggest book,” Charlie observed. “Wait, don’t you have that one on your nightstand at home?”
I shrugged, unsure of how to respond. Not because I felt like I was being judged but because I genuinely couldn’t remember if I had this one at home or not. On more than one occasion, I’ve purchased a double or a triple copy of a book because I insisted I didn’t have it at home on my shelf. Reader problems, I suppose.
My eyes turned to slits as I read the back cover. “I think you might be right.”
“We need to make a list of books you have so we don’t have to play this game in every bookstore.” Charlie laughed, “I love you, but think you have a problem.”
“Are you going to stage an intervention?”
“I just might have to.” He bit back a smile before turning his attention behind me.
I felt a tap on my shoulder, “Excuse me, I’m so sorry to interrupt. Are you Blythe Whitlock?”