Page 26 of The Summer I Stayed
“Don’t need to explain it to me,” I say, just as Jake’s arm tips me into a dip.
“What if we demonstrate for them? Maybe that’ll make them stop sneaking off to make out.”
“Okay, okay,” Matthew says, covering his eyes. “We get it.”
Everyone chuckles in the room as Matthew and Beth walk away, embarrassed.
“Jake! You’re not one for PDA. What has gotten into you?”
“Maybe I just like having ‘meetings’ with you.” He wiggleshis eyebrows.
“No meetings when we have guests here!” I say, standing up straight.
The corners of his mouth tilt upwards in a roguish grin that sends flutters to my stomach. “Does this mean I get double the ‘meetings’ when everyone leaves?”
I shake my head, unable to help the smile stretching across my face. I swat at his shoulder, though the effort is half-hearted at best. “You’re incorrigible, Jake Hollis.”
He chuckles in response, pulling me closer. “And you wouldn’t have me any other way.”
“No, I wouldn’t.” I press a kiss on a cheek, before resting my head on his chest.
Maverick bounds into the room, a soup ladle firmly clutched in his mouth.
“Maverick!” Jake exclaims, but the Great Dane seems quite pleased with himself, wagging his tail as he parades his stolen spoon around the room.
“Will he ever learn?” I chuckle.
“Not if you keep spoiling him,” Jake grumbles under his breath, but there’s a fond smile on his face.
I call Mav sternly, and he comes to me with apologetic eyes. He places the ladle in my hands and lays at my feet.
“Good boy,” I murmur, patting his head.
As I look around, my heart fills with gratitude. This is my life now. Full of people I love and a home that feels likeit was always meant to be mine. Blue Alder Cove, once a place of memories and then heartache, has become a home filled with laughter, warmth, and new beginnings. Steven would have wanted this for me; I can feel it in my bones.
“Matthew, Beth, can you show me my room?” Alison says, kind of loudly, as the three of them head upstairs.
“We should clean up from dinner,” Caroline says, tapping Lila’s leg.
Tom jumps up from the couch. “I’ll help!”
Edna stands abruptly. “The pie,” she exclaims. “Can’t let that burn.”
Gemma rises in sync with Edna. “I don’t like burnt pie either. I’ll lend you a hand.”
Then, it’s just Jake, me, and Maverick by the fireplace. The fire crackles and pops, a soothing sound to my ears. Jake shifts next to me so we’re standing in front of each other. He takes my hand, holding it gently between his larger calloused ones. His thumbs drawing circles on my knuckles—a comforting habit he’s formed since we started dating. It’s soothing yet suspenseful since everyone left abruptly.
“Maggie,” he begins, his voice soft.
My heart flutters at his tone, serious with a hint of nervousness—like the night he told me how he feels. But this is more. Is this…?
“In this house,” he starts, his deep blue eyes gazing at me, “I found more than a project or friendship…I found you.”
His words are simple yet hold so much meaning that my breath hitches in my throat.
“You came along with your bright smiles and hopeful dreams, and you changed everything.”
My heart hammers in my chest as tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
