Chapter 16
K elly walked into the bookstore first thing the next morning. She loved the place, the smell, the community. But right now, all she could see was that Miles was not around. That Emma wouldn’t be popping out from behind a shelf to say “Hi!”
The night had been rough. She spent most of it awake thinking about what Cole and Ava had said. She knew what she needed to do. Montana was calling her. She just needed to take the leap forward and leave.
Kelly walked up to the cafe counter and smiled at Katie. “Hey, sis.”
“Welcome back,” Katie said. She walked around the counter and gave Kelly a hug. “Did you have fun?”
“I did. It was very enlightening.”
Katie gave her a knowing look. “Did you meet someone?”
Kelly nodded. “I did.”
“I knew it.” Katie walked back around the counter. “Your usual?”
“Yes, please.”
Katie made a latte and handed it over to Kelly before leaning against the counter. “Cole said he told you about our family meeting.”
“So he was telling the truth?” Kelly asked.
Katie laughed. “He was. And if you want to leave, do it. Don’t let fear stop you.”
Kelly pulled in a shaky breath, tears suddenly blurring her vision. “I love you.”
Katie reached across the counter and took Kelly’s hand. “I love you.”
Kelly took her cup of coffee and walked back toward the office. When she opened the door, Michelle sat at the large desk, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth with a look of pure concentration on her face.
“Hey,” Kelly said. “Did you miss me?”
Michelle looked up. “Hey! I mean, I did in the sense of you’re my sister and I love you, but did I miss you in regards to work? No, I want this job. That’s no secret.”
Kelly laughed and set her purse down on the edge of the desk. “Why do you look like you’re concentrating so hard?”
“Oh, my gosh. Look at this!” Michelle turned the laptop toward Kelly. A flyer for a famous fantasy author was on the screen. “I’m going to get him to come here for a signing.”
Kelly raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up, sis. He rarely does signings. I’ve also heard he’s pretty cynical and hard to work with.”
“I don’t care. I’m going to try.”
“I have faith that if anyone can do it, it would be you.”
Michelle looked up from where she was still seated at the desk, and tears filled her eyes. “Are the rumors true? Are you leaving?”
Kelly nodded. Michelle stood, and Kelly pulled her into a hug. “But I’ll be back to visit all the time.”
“I know. I’m glad you’ve found someone.”
“Thank you.” They held each other in a tight hug for a long moment until Kelly pulled back. “And I have all the faith in the world that you are the best person to take over the event coordinator position here.”
“Thank you,” Michelle said. She took a deep breath and released it. “Have you talked to Eli yet?”
Kelly shook her head. Elijah was their protective older brother, and she genuinely had no clue how he would react.
Her phone pinged, and she pulled it out of her purse.
Miles: How’s your day going?
She smiled and typed out a response.
Kelly: Great. Yours?
Miles: It would be better with you.
Her heart clenched. Soon. They would be together soon.
Kelly: Everything is better with you.
The door to the office opened, pulling Kelly away from her phone. Elijah stood in the doorway. He stepped into the room and pulled her into his chest.
“Hey. We missed you,” he said.
“I missed you all as well.”
When they pulled back, he looked her over. “Were you safe there?”
Kelly laughed. “Yes. It’s basically Storyville, but in Montana.”
He gave a single nod. “Good.”
Katie popped her head into the office next. “Kel, there’s a call for you.”
“Okay. I’ll grab it in here.”
Katie left the office, and Kelly walked to the landline sitting on the desk and picked up the receiver. “Hello, this is Kelly.”
“Hi, Kelly. This is Karen.”
Kelly’s heart tripped. “Is everything okay? Is Miles okay?” She knew the question was silly. She had just been texting him a few minutes earlier, but she hadn’t a clue why Karen would call her otherwise.
“Oh, yes, honey. He’s fine. I’m sorry to startle you like that. I actually just have a proposition for you,” Karen said.
“You do?”
“You did such a great job helping us out when I was sick. I don’t know all that Miles told you, but we lost our event coordinator a few months back, and we just haven’t found the right person to take over the position. I was wondering if you would want the job?”
Kelly’s mouth fell open. Was this the answer to her prayers? She could move to Montana with a job already secured. She wouldn’t have to worry about trying to find income there or building a brand new business from scratch.
“Wow. I wasn’t expecting that.”
Karen giggled. “I don’t expect you to decide right away. Think it over and see if it’s something you would be interested in. But it’s yours if you’d like it. I can help you find housing if you choose to accept it.”
“Wow, thank you, Karen. I really appreciate it.” Kelly’s siblings watched her curiously, and she suspected a lot had to do with the bright grin on her face.
“Of course, honey. I look forward to hearing from you.”
They ended the call, and Kelly stared down at the phone in her hand, still in shock.
“Are you going to tell us what that was about?” Elijah asked.
“Karen, um, the owner of the resort where I was staying, just offered me a job as their event coordinator,” Kelly said, still in shock.
Michelle’s eyes widened, and she came around the desk to give Kelly a hug. “Oh, my gosh. Congratulations. That’s so exciting.”
“Are you going to take it?” Elijah asked.
Kelly’s eyes met his, and she couldn’t read his expression. She expected him to protest, but he only waited for a response.
“I am,” Kelly said.
Elijah smiled and stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her. “Congratulations, sis. I’m so proud of you.”
The relief that flooded Kelly brought tears to her eyes, and she couldn’t hold it back this time. “Thank you.”