Page 70 of A Whisper of Summer Magic

“I didn’t fall in love with you because I was hoping that your grandmother had honored her promise.”

Fall in love. She winced like he’d shot her.

“I didn’t fall in love with you because you had a book of spells and mad jam-making skills.”

“Did you?” she asked quietly, staring out toward the lights of Gaston County. “Fall in love?”

“Hard.”

Me too.

“When?”

“Want me to write a brief on it?”

Smartass. She nearly smiled. “Actually, yes.”

“Started the first night. You were hurting, but trying to hide it, and Whiskey jumped up on the couch where you were sitting while I was cooking you dinner and instead of shoving her off, you smiled, pulled her in for a hug, and rubbed your face along hers. And I kept falling. You’re so damn smart and quick. And funny, but you have no snob in you. My grandma worked hard, nearly every day since she was thirteen, and that wasn’t good enough for some people in this town.”

“Oh, Jackson.” She took a step toward him.

She knew he was protective of his family. So was she. She’d hated when anyone mocked Chloe because she was different, tried to dim her light.

He tugged her down on the swing next to him and she went.

“I just wanted to see if your grandma had kept her promise. My mom lives here now with her folks. I want her to have the home my gran had since she was a kid. Age with dignity, safety. It’s why I came home and hope to stay, to help out financially but also physically. Falling for you was totally separate. I can take care of my family. Myself. I’m not looking for a free ride or something not deserved, but my grandma took care of her family, her husband, me and my mom, and Miss Millie promised she’d always have a home.”

“She was beautiful like that. She had a beautiful soul, and she kept her promises.” Meghan leaned her head against his shoulder, and they sat, swinging gently for a minute. Two. More.

“Open it. See if this is it,” she finally said.

He made no move to untie the scarf. “It’s addressed to my grandma. It can wait. Besides I want to get this right between us first.”

“I know. Me too. I’m afraid. I don’t know why. I’ve been fearless but my… heart. I don’t know how to… give it. I don’t know how to trust.”

“Are you willing to learn? To try?”

She looked up at his face. It was dark, not a full moon. She couldn’t see the expression in his face, but it hit her then that she didn’t have to. She could picture it. She traced his lips, and he nibbled on her fingertips. She kissed along his brows.

“I’m not going to just try. I’m going to succeed.”

“That’s more like it.”

“But I’ll panic again. Shut down.”

“And I’ll be here.” He held her hand. Kissed it. “Right here.”

And he was. And she was. And Meghan didn’t care about going home anymore because she was home where Jackson was.

“Shouldn’t you open it? Be sure.”

“I have what I need, Meghan. Everything I need is right here with me.”

She curled up next to him and grabbed one piece of the bow in the scarf.

“Humor me. I’m nosy and love a good mystery. Can we call her?”

Jackson smiled and FaceTimed his grandma. All three of them crowded together, greeting Meghan, clearly curious, but eager for Jackson to unwrap the box. Even Whiskey poked her nose in.

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