Page 35 of The Bookstore on Marco Island

Mike’s heart leaped into his throat. He followed the nurse down a series of white-walled corridors, her footsteps echoing through the quietness until they reached the nursery. Through the glass, he saw Nicky standing beside a tiny crib dressed in protective clothing. She was peering down at the baby inside, a look of wonder on her face.

The nurse stopped and turned to him, a kind smile on her face.

“Mr. Sullivan,” she said, “you’ll need to wear protective clothing before we enter the nursery. It’s essential to maintain a sterile environment for the babies.”

Mike nodded, feeling a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. He followed the nurse into a small room adjacent to the nursery, where a table held a stack of pale blue gowns, gloves, and masks. It was a ritual he’d seen in movies but had never experienced firsthand.

As Mike struggled into the gown and pulled on the gloves, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of this moment bearing down on him like an avalanche. It wasn’t just about meeting Megan’s baby; it was about stepping into a world of responsibility and commitment he never thought he’d encounter again. The memory of that pivotal moment when he’d agreed to be a guardian to Jade came crashing back with unrelenting force.

Mike had fallen in love with his niece the moment he’d met her when she was five weeks old. He could remember how his heart had felt like it had been blown up like a balloon filled with the purest love. Mike had been proud to think of himself as that little angel’s guardian. Only then he’d pictured being a guardian as the cool uncle there when he was needed. And he had been that cool uncle until that awful day and the call that had shaken his world to its core. The shock of that moment still haunted him, slicing through his heart like a knife. He could recall the phone call as if it had happened just minutes ago.

“Mr. Sullivan, we’re sorry to inform you, but your sister and her husband have been in an accident. They didn’t make it, but their nine-year-old daughter did, and we need your consent as her legal guardian to operate on her.”

The shudder that coursed down his spine was uncontrollable as the memories flooded back. He had been thrust into a nightmare that day, not only having to identify his sister and brother-in-law’s lifeless bodies but also pacing the sterile halls of NCH Baker Hospital in Naples, waiting with bated breath for the outcome of Jade’s operation. Just as he had paced the hospital halls earlier, each passing minute felt like a slow, agonizing descent into emotional torment on that dreadful day five years ago.

“Mr. Sullivan?” The nurse’s voice broke through his turbulent thoughts. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Mike replied, his voice trembling. “A little overwhelmed, I guess.” He managed a nervous laugh. “This is my first experience with a newborn.”

The nurse nodded in understanding. “Ah, yes,” she said softly. “It’s a feeling that defies description when you witness a brand new life, especially one that you’re somehow responsible for or connected to.”

As he followed the nurse into the nursery, Mike couldn’t help but reflect on how life led you down unexpected paths. Each step he took toward that crib echoed with the enormity of the responsibility he had willingly taken on. It was a stark reminder that sometimes, life asked more of you than you ever thought you could give.

His heart pounded as his brain tormented him with memories. But as he stood beside Nicky, both of them dressed in protective attire, gazing at the fragile miracle before them, his heart melted. He swallowed the lump that had suddenly lodged in his throat, and all words seemed to leave him.

Mike and Nicky turned to look at each other. Her eyes mirrored the emotions tumbling around inside him. Nicky’s eyes misted with tears as she smiled, a radiant expression that lit up the room and squeezed the breath out of him. Mike’s already thumping heart lurched as he stared at her.

Nicky stepped closer and he could feel her body heat. Her soft scent tantalized his senses, her voice barely a whisper. “Mike, meet Riley.” She gestured toward the crib, and his eyes followed the movement.

Riley was swaddled in a soft pink blanket. She lay peacefully in the crib. Her tiny fingers twitched, and she made a soft, contented sigh. Mike marveled at the fragile beauty of new life. Tears welled up in his eyes as he gazed at the precious infant. A rush of emotions washed over him—awe, love, and a profound sense of responsibility.

“She’s beautiful.” Mike’s voice was raw with emotion as Nicky reached out and linked her hand to his.

“I can’t believe she’s here,” Nicky said, her voice filled with wonder. “I can’t believe Megan has entrusted her to us.”

Mike nodded, his throat too tight for words. He looked at Nicky, and in that moment, he knew that his feelings for her ran deeper than he had ever imagined. It wasn’t just about shared experiences, common interests, or a high school crush. It was something more profound, a connection that transcended the ordinary.

As they stood together, watching over Megan’s newborn daughter, Mike realized that life had a way of surprising you. Sometimes, it threw unexpected challenges your way, and other times, it gifted you with moments of pure, unadulterated joy. This was one of those moments.

Mike knew he was embarking on a journey that would forever change his life. He and Nicky stood, their hands linked, sharing a few moments of silent understanding. In the soft, warm light of the nursery, fear and awe intertwined, creating a powerful, indescribable moment that would stay etched in his heart forever.

CHAPTER 10

FourWeeksLater

Nicky had spent the past four weeks navigating the unpredictable tides of her life. Baby Riley, whom she had unexpectedly become a parent to, had brought a wave of change she couldn’t have foreseen. But she embraced it, and alongside Mike, they had been building a new rhythm to their days.

As she stood by the counter in the cozy bookstore, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and old books mingling in the air, Nicky couldn’t help but let her mind drift back over these weeks. Mike had been a constant presence, not just in helping her with Riley but also in reshaping the store. The expansion of the bookstore’s deck and the plans to transform the cottage into a coffee and trinket shop were taking shape with his dedication and hard work.

Nicky had to admit, much to her surprise, that she was grateful for his unwavering support. It wasn’t just the physical work; it was the genuine care he had shown towards Riley and her. He’d taken to this role of guardian with a surprising ease, making Nicky wonder if he had any idea how endearing he was in the eyes of everyone they knew.

But beneath the surface of gratitude and the growing fondness for Mike lay a quiet storm of emotions Nicky had been avoiding. She’d been down this road before, and it hadn’t ended well. There was something about him, his kindness, and the way he interacted with Riley that tugged at her heart. And she wasn’t sure she was ready for that kind of vulnerability again.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Mike walked into the bookstore, a grin stretching across his face. His excitement was palpable, and Nicky couldn’t help but respond with a smile of her own, pushing her internal conflict aside for now.

“Hey, Nicky,” he greeted her, his eyes sparkling enthusiastically.

“Hey there,” she replied, trying to match his enthusiasm, but her mind still raced with unspoken questions and doubts.

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