Chapter Thirteen
Hollis
“This is a joke, right?” Shane’s voice echoes through the receiver, his surprise expected and warranted for the bombshell I just dropped on him.
“It’s not a joke,” I whisper, my grip tightening around the crumpled tissue in my hand as I dab at my tear-streaked cheeks. “I want to buy the store.”
The decision has been brewing for some time now, but I thought I would have time to decide. Clearly not, but I don’t need it anymore. I know with every fiber of my being what I want and where I truly belong.
“Please, tell me this isn’t because of some guy you managed to hook up with up there,” he says, his words stinging like salt on an open wound.
“No,” I respond hastily. “I mean…yes, but no.”
A chuckle escapes him. “Which is it?”
I release a shuddering breath, my heart still throbbing from the weight of countless tears I shed tonight. “Yes, I met someone. Someone I really like.”
I more than like him. I’m in love with him. Even though he’s a stupid, mean asshole.
“But he’s not the reason I want to buy the store,” I add, my voice filled with determination. “I love it here, Shane. I mean, truly love it. I adore the town and the community. I’ve made incredible connections with people, friends that I don’t want to leave behind. I also love running the store. It’s…magical.” The awe in my voice is unmistakable. “I spent time looking through the annual reports and it does really well, even in the off-season.”
“I know. Why do you think I bought it?”
Disappointment crushes me. It’s always about the money. He doesn’t understand, and perhaps he can’t. Not when he hasn’t experienced it firsthand. Not when he hasn’t witnessed it for himself.
“This store means something to people,” I continue, my thoughts drifting to Poppy. “It means something to me. For the first time in a really long time, I feel like I’ve found my place. Like this is where I’m meant to be.”
“Does Abe and Lydia know about this?” he asks, referring to my parents.
“Not yet, but they will, and I know they’ll be happy for me.”
I cherish my parents, and our bond, but our lives are evolving. They plan to explore the world during their retirement, and they deserve it after years of hard work, which is why this decision needs to be based solely on me and what’s right for my life.
“Okay. So, how do you propose to finance this?” he questions, skepticism strong in his voice. “Because, no offense, cuz, but we both know you don’t have the funds for this, and I don’t see you asking your folks.”
He’s right. I don’t intend to ask my parents. They would gladly provide the money, but I don’t want to go that route if I don’t have to. “I figure we have two options.”
“We?” he repeats.
“Yes.”
He grunts, but thankfully hears me out. “I’m listening.”
“You allow me to pay you in installments. I have a little in savings that I can offer as a deposit, and once I sell my condo back in LA, I’ll have even more. Or,” I add swiftly, not giving him a chance to object, “You remain as an investor, reaping the benefits throughout the year.”
A heavy silence fills the line before he finally speaks. “What if I told you that the customer offered me twice what I paid?”
My eyes squeeze shut as my hope dwindles. “Then, I guess you do what you need to do,” I tell him, my words tinged with resignation. “But I want to remind you that we’re family, and while this deal may make you richer, you and your company are not hurting.”
It’s a low blow, but I don’t care. I can respect lucrative business decisions, but not at the expense of family.
“Merry Christmas, Hollis.”
I still on the sofa, thinking I just misheard him. “What?”
“I’ll remain as a silent investor,” he says. “We’ll sort out the logistics later. I don’t need a deposit. The store is yours.”
Relief and gratitude wash over me at once. “Thank you,” I choke out on a sob. “Thank you so much.”
He clears his throat, his own voice sounding gruff. “I’m glad you’ve found happiness there. You deserve it.”
His words bring a small measure of warmth to my aching heart. Before I can express my thanks once more, a loud rap echoes against my door.
“Hollis, it’s me. Open up!”
Mike?
Checking the time, I see it’s well past ten. Concern sweeps over me as I worry something has happened to Poppy.
With the promise to talk to Shane tomorrow, I end the call and make a beeline for the door. On my way there, I catch my reflection in a nearby mirror and come to a halt, cringing at the sight. My nose is tinged red, eyes swollen from crying, and hair a tangled mess. I attempt a quick fix, but it’s a lost cause. Giving up, I tighten the knot on my red silk robe and continue to the door.
“Come on, Hollis.” Mike knocks again. “I know you haven’t left yet. Your car is still here.”
Left yet?
Confused by that statement, I swing the door open to find a very disheveled, yet undeniably handsome Mike, looking as if he just sprinted a mile to get here.
“Thank god we caught you in time.”
He storms inside in a rush of urgency, leaving the door ajar.
When I see no one else behind him, I close the door and turn to find him pacing my living room like a wild animal.
“You can’t leave. Not yet. Not until you hear what I have to say,” he rushes through his words, his snowy boots leaving a messy trail with every frantic step. “I didn’t mean what I said to you back at the house. There’s a lot to say. I don’t want you to go back to California. I want you to stay and see where this goes. I know that’s not fair of me to ask you, but I’m going to anyway because the thought of never seeing you again scares the absolute shit out of me.”
My breath catches in my throat, his raw confession suspending time, anchoring me in place.
“The truth is, Hollis, I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I think about you every second of every day. When I’m not with you, I want to be. When I envision my life a year from now, you’re a part of it, and it’s been that way since you ran into the back of my fucking squad car while putting around like Franklin the fucking Turtle.”
I’d laugh through my steady stream of tears if I could, but all I can do is listen to him helplessly pour his heart out, feeling it mend mine with each heartfelt word.
“Hell, I don’t know, maybe that damn mountain does have some kind of magic,” he mutters, his swift steps never faltering. “What I do know is I’m in love with you, and I can’t let you leave not knowing that. So, if there’s even a chance that you feel the same way, even if it’s a small one, I’m begging you to stay and give us a chance.”
Swallowing past my emotion, I open my mouth to speak, but he continues to ramble over me.
“I’d offer to come to the U.S., but I can’t uproot Poppy from school. However, we did talk about coming down to visit if that’s what it takes to keep you, and—” He falters mid-sentence, looking at me for the first time since entering the house. “Why are you in your robe?” he asks, his brows furrowing in confusion. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s a nice robe. Really fucking nice,” his voice drops an octave, those words falling on a deep rumble. “But not the kind of thing I would expect you to wear to the airport.”
Now it’s my turn to be confused. “Why would I be going to the airport?” I ask, managing the question through my burning throat.
“Because you have a flight that leaves in two hours,” he says, as if he’s stating the obvious.
I shake my head, having no idea what he’s talking about.
His scowl deepens further. “You called Poppy and told her you were leaving. She—” Realization dawns on his expression, his eyes briefly falling shut. “That little shit.” He whirls around, looking behind him. “Where the hell is she?”
“Who?” I ask, feeling more lost than ever.
“My sister! She was right behind me.” Growling, he storms to the door and flings it open.
There, bundled on my doorstep in her pajamas, is the sweet nine-year-old girl who holds my entire heart.
She flashes Mike her gap-toothed smile. “Figured I’d hang back and give you some privacy.”
Mike doesn’t share her amusement. “You lied to me,” he accuses, sounding more shocked than enraged.
“I didn’t lie to you. I tricked you, and it was for your own good,” she says, stepping into the house. “Did you say what we discussed on the way here?”
His eyes narrow. “Yeah, and thanks to you, I now look like an idiot.”
“I doubt that’s because of me.”
A laugh bursts from my lips before I can stop it. Leave it to Poppy’s sharp wit to make me laugh at a time like this.
Walking over, she wraps her arms around my waist. “Hi,” she whispers, her voice softening.
“Hi.” I hug her back, feeling my broken pieces starting to mend. “I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye.”
Guilt has plagued my heavy heart all night over that, but I needed to talk to Shane before I saw her again so I could have all the answers she deserved the first time.
“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault.” The look she gives Mike makes it clear whose fault she thinks it is. “Any chance I can use your bathroom?” she asks, doing a little dance. “We sorta left in a hurry.”
Mike lets out a low grunt. “And whose fault is that?”
Poppy just shrugs, completely unbothered.
Smiling, I point down the hall. “Third door on the right.”
“Thanks.”
She disappears around the corner, leaving Mike and me alone. I take in his disheveled appearance and ache to touch him, but I remain where I am.
“Did you drive here like that?” I ask, gesturing to his unlaced boots.
He nods, looking a tad embarrassed. “Like she said, we left in a hurry. I didn’t want to miss you leaving for your nonexistent flight.”
Hope flutters in my chest, a delicate yet powerful sensation. “Did you mean what you said?” I ask, my heart suspending between fear and longing as I search his gaze. “Do you love me and want me to stay?”
He doesn’t hesitate with his answer. “Yeah. I meant it.”
A sob catches in my throat, sending a fresh wave of tears cascading down my cheeks.
Mike closes the distance between us and pulls me into his arms, their warmth a soothing balm. “Don’t cry,” he murmurs, kissing away my tears, his lips erasing each one with a gentle touch. “I’m sorry, so fucking sorry, for causing this.”
I shake my head, refusing to let him shoulder all the blame. “No, you were right. I shouldn’t have said anything, especially in front of Poppy. I was just so caught off guard by Shane’s call. I had all these emotions rushing through me, panicking at the thought of leaving you guys, and I just—”
He silences me with a kiss, anchoring my soul deeper to his.
I surrender to it completely, my hands threading into the messy strands of his hair as my entire world shifts back into balance.
In his arms, the fear of the unknown ceases to exist, leaving only the promise of tomorrow.
His lips slow their restless assault as he rests his forehead against mine. “Stay,” he pleads, his intense eyes peering onto mine. “Let’s see where this goes.”
“Well, I kinda have to now,” I say, my tone teasing as I curl my arms around his neck.
Amusement dances in his expression as he pulls me in even closer. “Yeah? And why is that?”
“Because I bought the store.”
His expression drops, fading into shock. “What did you just say?”
My smile spreads. “I bought the store,” I tell him again. “I’ve been considering it for a while now. I love Passion Falls, and I adore the store. But most importantly…” Pausing, I lift my hand to his face. “I love you and Poppy and I can’t imagine going a day without seeing either of you.”
A heavy breath explodes from his chest, the sound echoing with relief. “Thank christ!”
Laughter escapes me as he lifts me off my feet, his lips capturing mine in another searing kiss.
Sighing, I savor the moment and him, feeling fate fall into place.
“What’s all the commotion about?” Poppy interrupts, shamelessly timing her entrance without an ounce of remorse. It’s one of the things I love most about her.
Mike sets me down, allowing me to be the one to share the news.
“You are looking at the proud new owner of The Spirit of Christmas.”
Her gasp fills the room. “Really? You bought the store?”
Smiling, I nod. “And I’ll need a sidekick to help me run the place. Think you’re up for the challenge?”
“Boy, am I ever!” She runs toward me, her excitement palpable.
Dropping to my knees, I meet her with open arms. She dives into my embrace, hugging me tight as I sweep her off her feet.
“I knew you wouldn’t leave us,” she says. “I just knew it.”
My throat burns with emotion all over again, her faith in me meaning more than she will ever know.
Poppy breaks our hug just long enough to include Mike. “Get over here, ya big lug!”
Smirking, he steps forward, enveloping us both in his strong arms, making this moment even more beautiful.
“My favorite family,” she adds softly, squeezing us tighter.
It’s a powerful declaration for three people who only just met, yet nothing has ever felt righter.
As I gaze back at Mike, I see the same knowledge reflected in his eyes and know with every fiber of my being that no matter where we go from here, it will always be together because life without these two just wouldn’t make sense.