Page 51 of Stars Shine In Your Eyes

She nodded. “I’ve been really lucky that I’ve always loved my work. I was a freelance editor before,” she explained to his parents, “and to be able to transition into a new career where I help people take the time to read books and also get to find them those books—it’s truly the best job in the world.”

“Apart from mine,” a voice said.

Josie turned to see Mathilda Westcott standing beside them.

“Oh, hello!” She was so pleased when Mathilda embraced her with a kiss on each cheek.

“Oh good,” Mathilda said, “you’ve met my daughter and son-in-law. Isn’t Josie absolutely delightful?” she said to Simon and Penny. “Owen’s been telling me how brilliantly she and Malcolm are getting on with the cottages,” she said with a bland smile.

It seemed as though all of them shot surreptitious glances between her and Malcolm before nodding. If Josie wasn’t mistaken, they were matchmaking. And it was very flattering that they seemed to think the idea of her and Malcolm pairing up wasn’t a bad one. But again, she was surprised that they would think she was his type. Although, given the fireworks in bed, she was his type in one way, if not the supermodel they were used to seeing with him.

At last, they made it inside. The bookshop was filled with people, and Mari came by to say hello, looking excited but a little nervous too.

“It’s going to go beautifully,” Josie said after giving her a hug. “Remember, I’ve already read Mars at the Beach and read it again with Aria, who loved the book.” She scanned the room. “Look at this crowd.”

Mari swallowed hard. “I have never spoken in front of so many people before.”

“Just speak from the heart, as you always do. You’re going to be great,” Josie promised her new friend.

Malcolm looked at the stacks of books near the register, Owen standing proudly beside them. “Do you think you have enough books?”

Mari shook her head. “I was sure we had way too many, but now I don’t know.”

“Well, the publisher will be extremely pleased if you sell out, I’m sure,” Penny said. “I’m hoping to buy a few to give as gifts to parents of young children.” Then she gave Mari a hug. “I’m so proud of you, my dear.”

Malcolm knew a number of people there, but even Josie recognized a few. All the Sullivans, of course, and the man from the bakery with his partner. She recognized a few faces that she must have passed on the island.

A photographer from a local paper was even present.

“Come and meet my mother and brother,” Mari said, pulling Josie toward a woman who was an older version of Mari, and an attractive man who looked almost as proud as Owen did.

“You must be very proud,” Josie said to Mari’s mom, who nodded.

“It wasn’t easy when my baby moved to the other side of the world, but seeing her so happy makes it all worthwhile.” Then she looked sad. “Her father was a complicated man who made some mistakes, but I’m pleased that he left all the evidence Mari could have wanted that he loved her very much.”

“I had a wonderful stepfather,” Mari said to her mom. “And you, so I always knew I was loved.”

Josie loved the way Mari reassured her mother, who obviously had some difficult feelings about her first husband.

Then Alice and Fiona arrived and called Josie back to where they were standing with Malcolm and their parents. “Isn’t this exciting?” Alice said, almost jumping up and down. “Imagine owning a bookstore and publishing books.”

“And running reading retreats,” Fiona added. “I hope she’s not taken on too much.”

Then Owen went up to the microphone. “Hello and good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming tonight. Normally, Mari would be the emcee at our author events, but because she is the star attraction tonight, I am going to take over.” The look he gave her was adoring. Hers to him was just the same.

“All of us were very lucky when Mari decided to travel here from Santa Monica, California. The Elderflower Island Bookshop was her father’s, and many of us here knew and loved him. Charlie was a wonderful man who we all miss every day. Thankfully, he passed the store on to Mari, hoping that she would fall in love with it and this island and all the people on it, just as he had. And thankfully again, she did. I won’t say too much more. I’ll let her tell you the rest, but I just want to take a moment to say how grateful I am that you decided to stay, Mari, and how much I love you.”

Oh my gosh, it’s practically like being at a wedding and listening to the groom toast his bride. Josie was practically welling up, and they were at a book signing.

It looked as though Mari was tearing up as well as she walked up to Owen and kissed him. And then she was standing behind the microphone, and he moved off to the side, proud as could be. “Thank you so much for that, Owen. I’m the lucky one.” And then she laughed. “Okay, enough of the mushy stuff. That’s not why you all are here.”

Everyone laughed.

“Many of you know my story, and I’ve told it enough times that I don’t want to bore anyone, but suffice it to say that after losing touch with my father for most of my adult life, finding out that he had bequeathed me this bookstore after he passed away was one of the most momentous experiences of my life. Coming to Elderflower Island changed me and my future forever, in all the best ways. I’m not going to deny that my background in accounting has been helpful when dealing with purchase orders and store finances,” she said to more laughter, “but the opportunity to spend my days surrounded by books and the wonderful inhabitants of Elderflower Island is a gift that I don’t ever take for granted. Every single day, I’m so grateful that I get to be here and do this.”

She paused as though to collect her thoughts before she picked up a copy of Mars at the Beach and held it to her chest. “Of all the unexpected twists and turns that my life has taken, however, I never saw this one coming. I had no idea that my father had written books. Or that those books were about the two of us. The little girl in this story is me—Mars was his nickname for me.”

Josie looked over at Mari’s mother, who was with Mari’s brother, Carson. They both looked so proud. And Mari’s mother definitely looked emotional as well.

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