Bonus Chapter Hal’s Love Letter
To my dearest, darling Skylar,
I’m not sure if you remember, but the moment we met in the supermarket, The Cure’s “Friday, I’m in Love” was playing over the sound system.
For me, it felt like destiny. In that moment, on what just so happened to be a Friday, I was struck by Cupid’s arrow—talk about a fated encounter to rival my favorite romance novels!
If you ask me, even Ryder couldn’t write a scene so perfect.
Needless to say, that song is one of my favorites now and it always makes me think of you. I find myself humming it a lot lately.
Since then, every day with you has been better than the last. The tender moments we share mean the world to me.
I know you sometimes doubt yourself, but please believe that you’re perfect to me in every way.
You’re smart, loving, bold, and oh so brave.
You inspire me and make me dream of the life we’ll share over the decades, making so many beautiful memories in this town and in our B&B.
Mystic Hollow has always felt like home, but it’s all even better and brighter now that you are here with me.
Knowing how much you also love this town fills me with joy.
You’ve truly blossomed since moving here, gaining confidence and healing your heart, and it’s all been so lovely to witness firsthand.
Your friend was spot on in choosing that tattoo design for you.
Please know that I will always be your biggest cheerleader and will happily support you in all that you do.
Watching you make your dreams come true has even motivated me to grow the B&B into the retreat it can be.
It’s because of your journey that I now realize how special and healing this place is for those who stay here, and I can’t wait to work with you on spreading the word so more people can find the peace and rejuvenation they are looking for.
I especially want your former roommates and your tattoo artist friend to visit soon, if you are amenable to extending the invitation.
As those who helped you during your time of need, they will forever have my most sincere gratitude.
While I have many family members and friends who are important to me, you’re the one person in my life who sees to the heart of me and helps even my most carefully guarded wishes become reality.
You’re also the first person to ever want to take care of me—and you do it so very well, I must say.
Thank you. Thank you for being you, for loving me, and for being part of my life.
You often beat me to the punch—there’s that boldness in you that I love and admire so much—because I can be rather awkward and shy, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
So I wanted to write out some of the things I haven’t been able to say out loud—or at least, not very well.
I can get a little tongue-tied around you, but it’s your fault, you know.
You’re so handsome and so effortlessly cool!
I’m blushing just writing this. But I hope that I’ve been able to convey just a fraction of how I feel and what you mean to me.
I expect I will write you many more letters like this over the years, so be ready for that.
Please do not feel you need to reciprocate—I would love them as much as I love everything else you bring into my life, but also know that I’m just happy I may have beaten you to the punch on a wooing tradition!
Thank the Goddess for bringing you to Mystic Hollow and into my life. You are my light, my love, my sweet penguin mate. I’ll love you forever.
Yours always,
Halcyon Maple Atwood