“This isn’t a place to land for me. It’s a place to call home.” I reach up and stroke my fingers through his dark hair. “I’m going to help Mom pack up. She’s moving here too. It’s where we belong. Where we’ve always belonged.”
His eyes light up and he smiles. “Oh, thank fudgesicle.”
“What you felt the other day was real,” I admit with a small frown. “I was confused on what to do. Where to go. What my life was supposed to be like. But when I really thought about it, I realized I’ve felt more alive this summer here with you than in my entire life. It’s where I want to be.”
He brings his palms to my cheeks and nuzzles his nose along mine. “Good, because I don’t want you to leave. You ticked me off in the beginning, but somewhere along the way, I gave my heart to you. I’m not looking to get it back so long as I have you.”
“Was that so hard to say?” I tease, standing on my toes to peck his lips.
“I’m not great with words,” he grumbles. “Or emotions. I’m more of a man of action.”
And with that, he crashes his lips to mine. His kiss is claiming and there’s not an ounce of hesitation.
It’s settled. We’re officially an item and I’m not going anywhere.
Chapter 28
Elias
She sleeps like the dead and it’s cute. But I still honor her wishes and knock before fetching Clo. Nora grumbles something from her bed. I rescue my early bird from his cage and then slip outside where my coffee is waiting.
My heart is full lately.
I haven’t been this happy in a long time. Everything seems to be going the way I want it to. We’re finding homes for some of the rescued budgies, I’m back to working full time again, and I spend every evening whisking Nora off to show her another special place I want to share with her.
There are so many spots in Budgie Bay.
I plan to show her each and every one of them.
Movement catches my eye. Sandy pushes Amos’s wheelchair onto the back porch. Her little dog, Skeeter, rushes to the grass to take care of his business. Both Sandy and Amos wave my way. I like Sandy. She’s a pistol like her mother and her daughter. Plus, she’s good to Nora. I’m grateful Nora has her mother close by again.
It’s been weeks since Amos came home and everyone has settled in nicely. Nora is still trying to find her place in Budgie Bay. So far, she’s worked at Preening Pages, assisting Clementine for a bookish event. A few times she’s helped out a Baked & Brewed and The Icehouse. Twice she’s filled in at The Nest Box Inn when Mae wanted a break, including last night.
I haven’t had a chance to talk to her since she came home so late, but I’m dying to know.
Is Denver still here?
I’d thought when the guy was syruped and feathered, he’d run back to New York with his tail between his legs. Unfortunately, that was not the case. It’s as if he lost his way home. He’s taken an extended stay at The Nest Box Inn. Mae told Monroe that Denver has created a work command center in the lobby of the inn. When he gets too loud on work calls, she kicks him out and makes him go next door so Hattie can deal with him.
Nora avoids him altogether while I give him the stink eye if the situation allows.
Clo tries to eat through the pocket of my jeans, momentarily distracting me from thoughts of Denver overstaying his welcome. I grumble at my little bird and have to pry him away.
“You’re being a naughty little schnitzel.”
A soft giggle behind me alerts me to Nora having woken up. She leans over the back of my chair to kiss my cheek before patting Clo’s head. Then, barefoot, she walks off the porch, across the soft grass, and onto the one next door. I admire how at ease she is as she gives hugs to her mother and grandfather. They chat for a bit, so I run inside to grab her some coffee and to refill mine. She’s sitting in her spot next to my chair when I return.
“Thanks,” she says as she accepts the steaming mug. It’s one she found at The Attic on Whirr and fell in love with. I’m not surehow old the thing is, but, supposedly, the cartoonish hare and tortoise represent the two of us perfectly.
“How was the inn last night?” I ask, eager for an update.
She groans. “He is still here, Elias. I’m starting to worry about him.”
“Does he need an intervention?”
“Maybe.” She sighs. “I wish Kayla would get here already. She’d know what to do.”
I have a good mind to march my grumpy asterisk down there to send him packing. He has no use for being here. I’m not sure why he’s lingering. It’s not like he’s even trying to win her back.
