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I slept okay, but I missed being in Talon’s arms. My apartment seemed empty in a way it hadn’t before. There was no one in the kitchen making me eggs. No one to discuss my plans for the day with.
When I was loading up the car with the boxes for Marley, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my back pocket, smiling when I saw it was from Talon.
He’d sent me a picture of himself working in his shop. The caption was Waiting for you. I knew he was talking about work, but it felt like I’d been waiting for him my whole life in some way or another.
I’d been going through the motions for the last ten years, moving slowly toward my dreams but not making steps in that direction. Now that I’d reconnected with Talon, it was like my little business was skyrocketing to something bigger than I ever could have imagined.
I was excited to meet with Marley this morning, to see if she’d had any luck with gift shops on the East Coast. A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t even have thought about the possibility, but now I was excited about it.
I just hoped I wasn’t getting my hopes up for nothing. I parked at the inn where there were a few cars in the lot. The inn was a bright white with beautiful columns wrapped in garland and lights for the holidays. A huge tree sat on the porch with red velvet ribbons and large bows. It was elegant and sophisticated. Heath had built gardens on the side of the inn with a fountain in the middle.
I couldn’t believe she was dedicating a tree to my ornaments. It was as exciting as it was scary. I was putting myself out there in a way I hadn’t before. What if someone thought the ornaments were cheap or tacky?
I took a steadying breath as I opened the trunk and pulled out the first box.
“You’re here!” Marley jogged down the porch in heeled boots with a huge smile on her face. She hugged me tightly, and when she drew back, she said, “Heath will get the boxes. Come in. I’ll show you where we’re going to set up.”
She took me into the lobby. The wood floors were gleaming, and the walls were freshly painted from the recent remodel. When her grandmother died, Marley moved home to handle the renovations. After she reconnected with Heath, she decided to stay and run the inn instead of selling it.
Marley gestured toward the tree to the left of the counter. “What do you think?”
“I know you said it would be near the counter, but this is right as your guests walk in.”
Marley beamed as she moved toward the front window. “When the lights are on, they’ll be able to see it from the porch.”
“This is a prime location,” I said, a little surprised.
“Is that a problem?” Marley asked as Heath walked in with three boxes stacked high.
He set them down and went back outside to get the rest.
“I’m just surprised, I guess. I wasn’t expecting it to be placed in such a prominent position.”
Marley took my hand and pulled me toward the boxes. Opening a flap, she pulled out the ornament with the inn painted on it. “I want to showcase your ornaments. Tourists love buying wares from local artists.”
My throat felt dry. “I don’t know how to thank you. This is more than I ever imagined.”
“It’s going to be amazing. Everyone coming in and going out will see them. They’ll remember that they promised someone at home they’d grab a souvenir, and what better gift than a holiday item from a local artist?”
It was an amazing opportunity, but it would only be for the holidays. “I’m so grateful that you’re doing this.”
“And don’t forget, I’m live streaming in a couple of days. Heath promised me he could move the tree into the parlor so I could film there without interruptions.”
“Let me know if I can help.”
“I’ve been live streaming by myself for years. In the beginning, I’d bike to a local park, set my phone against a coffee cup, and film my vlogs.”
“I’m impressed with everything you’ve built.”
“I’ve come a long way from parks to my house in Malibu, and now this.”
It was a testament to her love for Heath, the farm, and the inn that she decided to stay because she adored her beach house.
We got to work hanging the ornaments. A few minutes into it, I took a deep breath, deciding to go for it. “I bought a kiln yesterday so I can make glass ornaments. I’m working on a few designs, icicles, candy canes, and hopefully, birds. I don’t have it right yet. But when I do, I’ll be able to play with the glass and the color.”
“If you get them perfected, bring them over. I’d love to see them.”
“I’m hoping to have a few ready before you film your course.”
