Page 48 of Key West Promises

"No," Kaitlyn corrected, not looking up from her conversation with Will. "Mom reorganized everything into color-coded digital files this morning. Check your email."

The simple acknowledgment—"Mom"—made Gretchen's eyes fill with tears. It was the first time Kaitlyn had referenced her that way since the truth came out.

"Baby steps," Chelsea said softly, squeezing her sister's arm. "Now come on. Those donation records aren't going to organize themselves. Though I'm sure you have thoughts about their filing system too."

"Actually," Gretchen said, wiping her eyes, "I was thinking maybe I should just observe for a while. See how they do things here. I just want to be close by and help if anyone needs me."

Chelsea's smile was approving. "Now that's the smartest thing you've said all day."

Leah sat at the welcome desk, updating donor lists and trying not to check her phone every five minutes. Jack had texted earlier about meeting with the cruise captain, promising to stop by afterward with details. She told herself her anticipation was purely professional—after all, the cruise was a crucial part of the fundraiser—but even she wasn't buying that excuse anymore.

"If you stare any harder at that door, you might burn a hole through it," Chelsea commented, passing by with an armload of auction items.

"I'm just waiting for information about the cruise," Leah protested.

"Mmhmm. Information. Is that what we're calling him now?"

Before Leah could respond, the door opened and Jack walked in.

"Good news," he announced. "Captain Mike's throwing in an extra hour at no charge. Says it's the least he can do for Paradise Harbor House."

"That's wonderful!" Leah stood, shuffling papers to hide her flustered reaction to his smile. "Did he mention anything about?—"

"The sunset timing? Already worked out. The lighting will be perfect for photos right as we serve dinner." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Though I was thinking maybe we could do our own sunset cruise sometime. After all this is over."

"Are you asking me on a date, Jack Calloway?"

"Depends. Are you saying yes?"

Their eyes met, and Leah felt that now-familiar warmth spread through her body. "I might be. If you ask properly."

"In that case…" He leaned against the desk. "Leah Lawrence, would you do me the honor of having dinner with me? Preferably on a boat, definitely involving sunset, absolutely no grant writing allowed."

"No grant writing? You drive a hard bargain." She tried to keep her tone light despite her racing pulse. "But I suppose I could manage that."

His smile deepened, reaching his eyes in that way that made her forget about spreadsheets and donor lists and everything else. "I should warn you—I have ulterior motives. I've been looking for someone to help me test out all the coffee shops in Key West. For research purposes, of course."

"Of course. Very professional."

"Extremely. Could take weeks of careful investigation."

"Months, even," Leah suggested, playing along.

"Exactly what I was thinking."

The promise of future possibilities hung between them, sweet and unhurried. For once, Leah didn't feel the need to plan everything out. Some things, she was learning, were better left to unfold naturally.

"So," Jack said, pulling something from his messenger bag, "I brought you something. A special edition I found at the shop."

He handed her a beautifully bound copy of "Pride and Prejudice." Leah ran her fingers over the embossed cover, touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift.

"You mentioned it was your favorite," he explained. "And this one has some interesting margin notes from a previous owner—a literature professor from the 1960s. Thought you might enjoy another perspective on Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's story."

"You remembered that conversation?" They'd discussed books during one of their late-night grant-writing sessions.

"I remember all our conversations," he said quietly. "Even the ones about proper comma placement in funding requests."

Chelsea chose that moment to walk by again, this time not even trying to hide her knowing smile. "Don't mind me. Just passing through. Repeatedly. Because I work here."

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