21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-One
Emma
When I woke up, Gauge was lying in bed with me. He pulled me tighter into him and asked, "Were you dreaming about me?"
"I don't really remember. Why?"
"You were mumbling something about a train, and since I'm obviously your favorite train—"
"For now!" Jamie's voice boomed through the open door.
I rolled my eyes and smirked. "If you guys are listening already, you might as well come in."
"Like I need permission," Rosie said, pushing the door the rest of the way open with Jamie close on her heels.
She took the armchair in the corner of the room and sat down, facing the bed.
Jamie hopped on the bed and crawled over to me. "Good to see you again, sweetheart."
I blushed a little at that, but they didn't give me a chance to feel weird about it. Instead, they wrapped their leg over mine, trapping me between them and Gauge, and kissed me.
I felt Gauge's hum of approval on my back as I lost myself to Jamie's kiss.
"I thought we were trying to plan." Rosie's voice snapped me out of the moment.
I pulled back from Jamie, who turned their attention to Rosie and asked, "Really?"
"Really. Didn't I tell you that you had to behave?"
I was surprised that Jamie listened to her and didn't move to kiss me again. Instead, they nuzzled into my neck, grumbling, “Fine. But I’m staying here.”
"As long as you don't distract us. I actually had an idea," Rosie said. "You work for the tourism board, right?"
I nodded, surprised she knew that.
"Well, Gauge said you've been focusing your efforts on the locals. But what if we get the tourists excited about the trains?"
"Like, play up their history on the island?" I asked, thinking through the idea.
There was some precedent for that, with many of the buildings on the island being protected by the historical preservation committee. If I could find evidence of their importance, it might be enough to work.
"I meant local tours, but whatever works."
"And we could do theme nights!" Jamie added with enough excitement that I had to laugh.
"What kind of themes?"
"Seasonal themes, holiday themes. We could even do a historical themed tour if you think that would work."
I mulled over the thought for a moment. "If we did tours, I could tie it into my job. I could get paid to play conductor."
"I'd let you be my conductor any day," Jamie teased, making me laugh.
"But more importantly," I continued, "if I'm able to find a historical significance to the rails, the town hall would have to put a stop to the demolition. Rosie, you’re brilliant!"
She shrugged. "That's not normally what people call me, but thank you."
"Don't let her take all the credit," Gauge argued. "It was mostly your idea."
"Anyone up for a trip to the library?" I asked, looking around.
"I'll stay, I'm just the idea woman," Rosie replied with a wink. I laughed at that and wasn't surprised in the slightest when Jamie agreed, saying "I'll stay too. Someone's got to keep her company. Besides, I'd be a distraction. We'll stay and let you actually get some work done."
"I'm going," Gauge said.
"Just don't go distracting our girl," Jamie demanded, making me flush a little, but I definitely didn't mind being called that.
"She'll find what we need and then we can come back here and all celebrate," Gauge beamed. I loved his confidence in me and loved the idea of a group celebration even more.