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“He’s wonderful.” Jade kneeled beside her uncle. “Hey, boy. You like my Uncle Mike just fine, don’t you?”
Belvedere gave an appreciative moan for all the attention and belly rubs he was getting.
“He is cute,” Mike said, standing up. “But no, you’re not getting a dog.”
“Oh, come on, Uncle Mike!” Jade’s brow crumpled.
“It’s either a horse or a dog,” Mike gave her a choice. “Not both.”
“Fine,” Jade stood, and Belvedere flopped onto his belly, lying at Jade’s feet. “I’ll take Arrow.”
“That’s settled then,” Mike said before he realized how neatly he’d been manipulated.
“Really?” Jade’s eyes lit with excitement. She and Gemma squealed in delight, and Jade wrapped her arms around Mike. “Thank you, thank you.”
“Well played, young grasshopper.” Harry grinned as he eyed Jade. “Well played. You really are your mother’s daughter. She, too, knew just how to play her older brother.”
“Hey!” Mike exclaimed again. “I’m right here.”
“Wasn’t there something you wanted to discuss with Jade?” Harry asked Mike. He took the leash from Jade’s hand. “Myself and Gemma will finish Belvedere’s walk and let the two of you talk.” He ushered his daughter and Belvedere from the store before Mike could protest. “Come on, Gem.”
“What do you want to talk to me about, Uncle Mike?” Jade looked at him curiously. “Is it about Arrow?”
“No, honey,” Mike said with a shake of his head. “This is about the bookstore.”
“Oh!” Jade looked relieved. “What about it?”
“I should’ve spoken to you before I put it up for sale,” Mike admitted. “It’s part of your legacy as well, and I never asked you what you wanted to do with the place.”
Jade smiled. “Honestly, I don’t want you to sell it,” she admitted. “But I understand that we live in Miami, and it would be difficult to try and run the business from there .”
“What if we stayed on Marco Island for the rest of the summer and see how we feel about maybe moving here for good?” Mike had no idea why he’d suggested that, as the idea had just popped into his head, and it felt right.
“Really?” Jade’s eyes widened and sparkled with delight. “You’d consider moving here for good?” Her smile broadened. “I could go to school here with Gemma? I’d love that.”
“So would I.” Mike smiled as he realized just how much he meant it.
He wrapped his arms around Jade when she flung herself at him joyfully.
“What about the store?” Jade stepped away from him. “Nicky’s going to be devastated when you tell her it’s no longer for sale.”
“About that…” Mike’s words trailed off. “This place still needs a lot of work and someone who has experience in how to run the place.”
“You know how to do that,” Jade said.
“No, honey.” Mike laughed at her enthusiasm and faith in him. “I need help because I still have my career. Even though I can work from anywhere, it will take up the best part of my day like usual.”
“Oh!” Jade’s face fell. “So you’re still going to sell the bookshop.”
“No, Mandy Oliver, a real estate agent, came to see me today and made a great suggestion,” Mike said with a grin. “How would you feel about us getting a partner for the bookstore?”
“It’s a huge yes if by a partner you mean Nicky,” Jade told him, her grin resurfacing.
“No promises because Mandy still has to run the idea past Nicky, but yes, I was thinking of offering half of the business to Nicky,” Mike told her, a variant of Mandy’s proposal. He’d somehow find a way around that three-month clause, but that was a problem for another day.
“I’m sure Nicky will say yes,” Jade’s enthusiasm spilled into her voice and shone in her eyes. She gave Mike another hug. “This is the best day ever.” She stated. “I get to walk Belvedere, we’re moving to Marco Island, and I’m getting Arrow.” She kissed Mike on the cheek. “Can I tell Gemma?”
“Can you rather ask Harry and Gemma to come back, and we tell them together?” Mike suggested.
