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Evelyn has a historic house in town. It’s old and needs some work, but it’s a beautiful home. It’s at the end of Main Street and would make a great bookstore. It would totally fit Paige’s vision for the place. Emotion fills me. “I think Paige would love that.”
“I think so, too.”
I pull into the driveway and round to help her out. I get her walker set up, and we walk to the door, and it swings open to Paige and Theo standing there.
Paige leans forward and pulls Evelyn into a big hug, and I tear up a little watching them. These are my two favorite people now, and the fact that they are connected and love each other means everything to me.
Evelyn curls up on the couch, and Theo jumps up to be next to her. Paige sits on her other side. They rest their heads together and snuggle under a blanket as they talk about Harry.
I head out to take Theo for a walk, and when I round the corner when we’re done, I spot Evan and Beth in my driveway. Evan is getting Pancake’s carrier out of the back of the car, and he waves at me as I get closer.
“Someone is angsty and wants his mom. I figured it might cheer her up to have him,” he says and hands me the carrier.
“She’ll love that.”
“You up for company?”
“Please. There’s enough food in there to feed an army, and I know Paige will be happy to see you guys.”
Beth unlatches the baby carriers from the car seats and she and Evan each take a baby. Pancake is literally vibrating in his carrier, anxious to get to Paige.
Once inside, I set the carrier down and release Pancake, who makes a beeline for the couch. I hear Paige squeal, “Pancake!” She picks him up and hugs him to her chest. Pancake makes purring and whimpering sounds, relieved to see her, too.
Theo pushes his head up to boop Pancake, and Pancake happily swats at his friend’s head.
My house is full of the people I love, and for the first time, it feels like a home.
32. paige
Say Goodbye
Beth,Evan, and the babies are here on the couch with me, eating food and telling stories about Harry. Evelyn looks so happy to be with us. She gets tired easily and sometimes dozes off, but she’s comfortable on the couch and seems content.
Preston hovers and brings me food and drinks constantly. He’s always putting his hands on my shoulders, holding my hand, or wrapping me in a hug. I don’t know how I would navigate all this right now without him. I don’t want to ever have to find out what life is like without him now.
Theo and Pancake snuggled in together for a nap on Theo’s bed. Beth filmed a few videos of them to post on the inn’s social media.
I glance over at Preston, who’s watching me. I smile at him, and he comes to sit in beside me, his arm around me.
Beth looks over and smiles. “I love you two together.”
“Me, too.” He squeezes me to confirm that’s how he feels, too.
There’s a soft knock at the door, and Preston gets up to answer it. Allie, Logan, and Caleb, laden with bags, come in now. I laugh at how Preston’s eyes grow bigger. He’s probably wondering where he’s going to put more food.
“Hey, guys,” I say softly.
“We brought some goodies,” Allie says. She and Logan head to the kitchen to set down trays of baked goods. “I wasn’t sure what to bring, so we brought a little of everything.”
“That is so sweet of you. Thank you.” I pat the chair next to me as Caleb sits, and I give his shoulder a squeeze.
“Do you want to pet them?” I ask Caleb. He nods and heads over to greet his furry friends.
Logan hands me a bag. “I brought you some of my clients’ books.”
“Thank you so much! That’s great,” I say as I dig through the bag immediately, not able to resist looking. “Wow! Some of these aren’t even out yet,” I say excitedly.
“I thought you might like some sneak peek advance reader copies, since you’re a bookstore owner and all,” Logan says with a grin.
