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The note of hopefulness in his voice had her confidence in her decision rising. He wanted her with him. She wanted to be with him. So why not take the leap?
“I was worried I’d completely scared you off this morning,” he said, searching her expression.
If he was looking for any sign of her losing interest in him, in them, he wouldn’t find any. “The complete opposite actually,” she said as the boat picked up speed and a mild wind blew her hair across her face. Mitch brushed it back. “Your story this morning was heartbreaking, but I guess it made me realize that maybe there are parts of the world that I’m not experiencing. Things I’ve been unaware of. Things I could help change.”
His affection for her nearly stole her breath away. “You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her gently.
Soft, romantic holiday music started to play from the radio on the boat, and the moment felt truly magical. She held Mitch’s hand and cuddled into him as they enjoyed the view of the harbor lights in silence. Jessica took it all in, knowing this may be the last holiday season she enjoyed her hometown’s traditions.
Chapter Nineteen
December 19th…6 Days Until Christmas…
“Fresh, hot-from-the-oven cookie delivery for my favorite aunt!” Jessica pushed through the door to Frankie’s Fabrics at 9:05 a.m. the next morning. She’d been pacing the bakery, waiting for her aunt to arrive and open shop and get settled…but she hadn’t been able to wait longer than five minutes before heading over.
She needed her aunt’s advice…or maybe her blessing.
“Hi darlin’,” her aunt greeted from behind a stack of holiday-themed material. She was rolling out a red-and-green tartan pattern and cutting the lengths.
“Whatcha doing?” she asked as she approached.
“End of season cut-offs,” Frankie said, expertly sliding the shears through the fabric, then rolling it into a smaller piece to sell in her off-season sale bin. By now, crafty shoppers had moved onto Easter or spring-themed prints.
Jessica set the bag of cookies on the edge of the counter and pulled up a stool. She opened the bag and extended an oatmeal raisin cookie toward her aunt. Frankie opened her mouth and Jessica laughed as she shoved it in, allowing her to take a bite as she continued to work. “How is it?”
“Your best yet,” Frankie said as she swallowed, but she eyed Jessica over her cat’s eye glasses. “But I know your whiteboard is full of orders that need to be done today, so I feel like this cookie delivery visit is meant to soften the blow of a certain decision?”
Man, her aunt knew her far too well.
Jessica sighed as she slumped forward on the stool. All morning she’d stared at the contract from Not Just Desserts. One minute she thought she could definitely do it. The next, absolutely no way. The indecision was killing her and making it impossible to move forward one way or the other. “I still don’t know what to do…” she said slowly.
“You’re considering it more seriously now, aren’t you?” her aunt stopped working to give Jessica her full attention.
Jessica handed her the rest of the cookie.
“A month ago, I hadn’t thought I could actually accept. But now…”
Things were different. Her feelings for Mitch were undeniable, but she couldn’t make major life decisions based on a relationship. And she had no idea how he really felt about her. She could feel love in his gaze, his touch…but what if all that faded or disappeared completely once he was back living the life he loved.
But if she didn’t go with him, there’d be no chance.
“Would this conflicted state of heart be because of a certain handsome doctor I’ve seen glued to your hip the last few weeks?”
Her aunt had noticed? “Mitch Jameson has definitely been opening my eyes to new possibilities.” She wouldn’t deny he’d been the catalyst in her change of heart. “He wants me to travel overseas with him as a volunteer.”
“Wow.”
Jessica frowned, staring at her aunt. “Wow good? Or wow bad?”
“Just wow,” Frankie said, but this time she smiled and touched Jessica’s hand. “It would be an amazing adventure.”
She nodded. “Yeah, but shouldn’t I start small? Like a trip to Arizona or something? Cambodia, helping Doctors Without Borders seems like a big leap for small-town bakery owner.”
“Don’t sell yourself so short, sweetheart. You have such a big heart. You could really make a difference over there.”
“That’s what Mitch says, too,” she said.
“You really like this one, don’t you?” her aunt said, reaching into the bag for another cookie.
