Page 93 of The Cottage on Blueberry Bay

He had never seen or heard such a beautiful sight in all his life.

And it struck him that he wasn’t falling for Meredith, he had already fallen. Hard.

When he asked her to come on the boat, her eyes brightened at the idea. “Absolutely.”

And he could feel his heart skip again.

“Kyle and I got it hitched up and ready to go,” he said.

“That’s so nice,” she said.

“We just need to stay in the bay,” he said.

“Can Remy and Greg come?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said, glad to see her so excited.

Kyle had mentioned how happy Meredith seemed since she’d first come, and he could see the change too.

Quinn turned to her. “The paintings. That’s so thoughtful, but we can’t take them from you.”

“You’re not taking them,” she said. “I’m giving them to you.”

“But they can go to your family,” he said.

She looked around the cottage. “He has plenty to give to his neighbors. The people who loved him most.”

He wondered if that stung. Because the more he learned about Meredith, the more he understood her hurt about Jacob’s absence and the need to understand why he had chosen the life he did.

“The thing I have learned through Jacob,” she said, “is holding onto things doesn’t do anyone any good. The things just pile up, causing nothing but chaos.” She rubbed her hands together. “No one even got to see his art because it was hidden away. Maybe now those pieces will be appreciated.”

Quinn let her words sink in, and that’s when he said, “I hope you stay. Here in Blueberry Bay.”

The energy shifted completely, and he wondered if he was an idiot for not keeping his little crush to himself. But her smile grew as she kept her focus on him.

“I think I might.” Her eyes sparkled as she said it. “At least until after the fall.”

His heart jumped inside his chest, and just as he took a step forward to get closer to her, a horn beeped from outside.

“Kyle’s here,” he said, not moving from where he stood.

“Right,” she said, looking out the window, breaking the stare. “I should text Remy to meet us at the harbor, then.”

“Is she down in the village?” he asked, wishing the moment wouldn’t end, because he was certain he wasn’t the only one who felt something.

She took a deep breath, her chest lifting as she nodded her head. “Yes, she’s grabbing lunch.”

Quinn stood frozen, not sure what his next move should be, when he heard Kyle get out of the truck.

“Do you need a few minutes to get ready?” he asked, as he heard the truck door slam closed.

She didn’t move either. “Yes, I’ll be quick.”

They stared at each other, both recognizing the moment.

Kyle looked in the window, knocking on the glass once he saw them in the kitchen.

“I guess I need to teach Kyle a few manners.”

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