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Alesha swallowed, her gaze drifting over the twinkling lights, the stacks of books, the quiet happiness tucked into every corner.

What would it be like to be part of something like this? To wake up and come here every day. To know people’s names and have them know hers. To matter in the small, steady ways that add up to something real.

Back home, she had friends, she had a life, but it was different from this. She had a job that kept her working from home. For a while, that had been a perk. But after experiencing life here in the bookstore, she realized that maybe it wasn’t. Life was happening all around her here. She was coming to know these people—their lives, their stories. What did she have around her when she went back to her life in Oregon?

Plants.

Plants and a presence on social media, where she promoted other people’s lives.

Great. Now she was romanticizing a bookstore. What was next: knitting and a cat?

Shaking her head to clear it, she moved away from the window and began wandering around the store. Most days she would set up in the loft and work for a few hours, but she was off until after the new year. She’d scheduled everyone’s posts and newsletters, and she had nothing but time on her hands.

Sure, she could be enjoying the holiday vibes that were literally all around her, or she could obsess about what came next.

In nine days, she was leaving, and she didn’t want to. She wasn’t ready for it.

The time spent with her dad was amazing. Being part of his world had really opened her eyes to so many things. She’d never really understood what “his life’s work” meant until now. And now she no longer resented the bookstore; she appreciated it.

And if she were being completely honest, she was starting to love it.

The Lit Loft wasn’t just a place; it was an experience. Seeing how people reacted to it every time they came in made her realize just how much it meant to the community.

And her father had built this. Not just the store, but…all of this. The people of Harbortown flocked to the store because her father had followed his dream.

It made her wonder about her own legacy. What was she building? What was her dream?

The answer didn’t magically pop into her head, and it made her wonder if maybe there was something wrong with her. Other than being happy, she didn’t have a big dream. She enjoyed her job and she was good at it, but it didn’t make her long for something bigger. Helping her author clients fulfilled her. It kept her out of the spotlight, which is something she was comfortable with, but…

“Oh, Alesha, hey! Can you help me find a book?”

Turning, she saw a frantic—and very pregnant—Maisie hurrying toward her. “Of course! What are you looking for?”

“Okay, so… one of my cousins and her husband are coming to the resort for Christmas. We said we weren’t exchanging gifts, but I really want to get her a little something, you know?”

“A book?”

Maisie nodded. “She’s obsessed with Hallmark Christmas movies, and I know a lot of them are based on books—or were turned into books after…” She paused, pressing a hand to her belly. “Sorry. The baby’s apparently auditioning for the Rockettes.”

Alesha laughed.

“I was thinking of putting together a Christmas basket,” Maisie continued. “A few books, maybe some of your dad’s custom bookmarks, a candle, an ornament…can you help me?”

“Absolutely. My dad actually has a section tucked behind the gigantic Christmas tree just for Hallmark-inspired books.” She smiled. “I just read one where the hero and heroine get snowed in while decorating a cottage for his sister’s wedding—and the heroine is the sister’s best friend. It’s adorable.”

“Oh! I’ve seen that one!” Maisie beamed. “Thank you, you’re a lifesaver. I’m sure your dad loves having you here.”

Alesha smiled as she led the way across the store. “I love being here.”

“Well, hopefully you’ll come back more often. I’ve noticed you and Reece have been spending a lot of time at the resort.”

“I’m a little obsessed with it,” Alesha admitted. “If I could’ve, I would’ve spent Christmas there.” She hesitated, just for a second. With him.

She pushed the thought aside and glanced back at Maisie. “Not that I’m not grateful to be with my dad, but what you’ve created out there? It’s kind of magical. Like stepping into a Hallmark movie.”

Maisie’s smile softened. “That was exactly the goal, so thank you for saying that.”

“Thank you for making it,” Alesha said. “You made coming back here even better than I expected.”