A Christmas to Cherish (A Festive Christmas #4)

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

J ack climbed down and paused to dust off some snow. Then, he held his hand out to her and smiled, showing off a row of pearly white teeth. “My lady.”

Emma stopped fidgeting with her hair and let her hands fall to her sides. “What’s all this?”

He stepped back to make a sweeping hand gesture, indicating the horse-drawn carriage behind him. It had intricate flowerlike designs on the side, a fresh coat of paint, and a sleek mahogany finish. Derek sat in the driver’s seat in a topcoat and hat, holding the reins and smiling brightly. With a smile, Derek touched two fingers to his brows and inclined his head in her direction.

Emma wasn’t sure whether to laugh or throw her arms around Jack for a kiss.

“We were just headed to the bake sale—”

“Actually, Mom, weren’t you just saying you wanted to get some air?” Jules offered Jack a bright smile and looped her arm through her mom’s. “This is perfect. Now, you can enjoy it while sitting comfortably in a carriage.”

Emma gave Jules a quizzical look as she dragged her down the front porch. “I can go on a carriage ride another time. We said we’d spend time together as a family.”

And it was the first time in a long time she was feeling hopeful.

The thought of a future with her family didn’t seem so impossible anymore.

“You can catch up later,” Marie added from her spot in the doorway. She was pulling on her gloves and glanced over her shoulder. “Jack is welcome to join, of course.”

Henry stepped out and pulled the door shut behind him. He clapped his hands together and smiled. “Enjoy the ride, sweetheart. Don’t worry about us.”

She glanced between the four of them, her eyes lingering on Kyle, who had come around the back of the house, red-faced and smiling. Then, she turned back to Jack, who was still holding his hand out. Emma slipped a gloved hand into his, and he drew her closer. Wordlessly, he helped her climb onto the carriage and draped a blanket over her legs. After exchanging a few hushed words with Derek, he climbed in next to her, and they sat with their knees pressed against each other.

Emma tucked the blanket around both of their legs. “So, where are we going?”

“Just relax and enjoy the ride.”

Jack draped an arm over her shoulders and made a low whistling sound. A moment later, the carriage jostled beneath their feet, the sound of horses trotting reverberating inside her head. Emma twisted to look at her family, who all stood next to the front gate, waving at her.

Smiling, Emma turned back around and folded her hands in her lap. “When did you turn into such a cheesy romantic?”

Jack snorted, and a puff of air formed in front of him. “I’ve always been a cheesy romantic. I just hid it better when we were teenagers. I wanted you to think I was cool.”

Emma leaned into his side and inhaled. “I never thought you were cool.”

Jack’s chest vibrated with laughter. “Ouch. Way to make a man feel better about himself.”

Emma laughed. “I didn’t know you needed an ego boost.”

Slowly, she glanced up, pressed a kiss to his cheek, and lingered, enjoying the feel of his smooth skin beneath her mouth.

When she drew back, her face was a bright red, and she tried to hide it by coughing. “I’m sorry we haven’t had the chance to talk.”

Jack squeezed her shoulders. “I figured now was a good time. Since you had the afternoon and night to sort things out with your family.”

“We talked,” Emma admitted in a small voice. “I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do next.”

Jack twisted to look at her and took both of her hands in his. “I know we tried long distance before, and it wasn’t exactly a success.”

“That’s an understatement,” Emma teased breathlessly. “Look, Jack, I—”

“Let me just get this out before I lose my nerve,” Jack interrupted, pressing a finger to her lips. “I know a lot of things got in the way last time, including my pride, but I want you to know that if we give this another shot, it won’t happen again.”

Emma could’ve sworn she stopped breathing.

For years, she’d imagined what it would be like to have a second chance with Jack, to hear him say those words to her.

It felt different than she imagined, less rushed.

“Over the past few weeks, I tried to tell myself that it was just nostalgia at seeing you again, but the more time we’ve spent together, the more I realized how much I was lying to myself.”

Emma’s heart was pounding in her ears, and she was tempted to hide behind her fingers.

Or jump up and down in glee.

Was she in some kind of dream?

She didn’t want to wake up alone in her bed again.

Jack inched closer, and she could count every individual eyelash and see the sparkle in his eyes. “I want to give us another chance. Whether you decide to stay in Rockport or if you move back to the city. Whatever you decide, we’ll make it work.”

“You have a business to run.”

“I know.”

“I have a career and a life in the city.”

“I know.”

Emma tilted her head to the side and took a deep breath. “How would we make it work? Fly back and forth all the time? I don’t know if that’s possible.”

“We’ll do what it takes,” Jack replied without breaking their gaze. “I let you go once. I’m not going to do it again. These past few weeks have opened up my eyes, to the kind of life I want for myself, Emma. Running around town, solving mysteries, and digging up treasure… It didn’t just make me realize how much I miss the good old days. It made me realize how much I missed you .”

Why couldn’t he have realized it sooner?

Why was he choosing now, of all times, when Emma still wasn’t sure of the path she wanted for herself?

Jack released her hands and cleared his throat. “Of course, this would be very awkward if you told me you didn’t feel the same—”

“I do,” Emma blurted, tears burning the backs of her eyes. “You have no idea how hard it’s been, being back here. But you… you’re the one thing that hasn’t changed, Jack. You still feel like home to me… I do want to give us another chance.”

But she was terrified of losing him for good if things didn’t work out.

They didn’t have the luxury of time anymore.

Life is giving you a second chance together. Andrew would understand. Heck, he’d even tell you to seize the day.

“I know you’re afraid. I’m scared too, and I know we still have to figure out the semantics of it all, but we’ll do it together.”

Emma searched his face. Her heartbeat grew louder, nearly drowning out everything else. “How are you so sure?”

Jack peeled a glove off her hand and pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. “Because I’m sure about this. About us. I’m surer than I’ve ever been about anything in a long time.”

“We’ll need to talk to the kids.”

Jack kissed her other hand and laced his fingers through hers. “We can do that together.”

Emma blew out another shaky breath. “I…I never thought I’d move on after Andrew.”

Jack nodded, his eyes softening. “I figured as much. I know there’s going to be a transitional period. Nothing you say is going to change my mind, Sullivan. So, go ahead. Hit me with your best shot.”

Emma let out a nervous laugh. “Well, it’s a good thing I left my boss a message this morning. I doubt he’ll call me back until after the holidays, but it’ll give me a chance to think about what I want to say.”

Jack’s face lit up, and his lips spread into a smile. “You…what?”

Emma shifted closer so their chests were inches apart. “My dad and I had a long talk last night, and he wants me to work on the research with him. He’s got this idea for my grandfather’s findings, and I think he’s on to something. I haven’t told him my decision yet because I wanted to work out a few details with my boss, but I want to stay and work on this with him.”

Jack let out a whoop and threw his arms around her, crushing her to him. “Emma, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”

Emma let her head rest in the crook of his neck. “I still need to figure out the logistics of my last case, but some time off will be good for me. I need it. I need this .”

It was exactly what she’d been searching for all these years, and it had been right under her nose the entire time.

Emma felt like an idiot for not realizing it sooner.

Getting a second chance with Jack didn’t have to mean forgetting her past or pretending like it never happened, but maybe it was time to turn over a new page.

Jack drew back to look at her and cupped her face in his hands. “I need it too.”

He touched his lips to hers, and the rest of the world melted away.

They sat like that, kissing and giggling like teenagers while the town ambled past on either side. When they finally came up for air, Jack tucked her into his side, sending goosebumps up and down her arms as he stroked her hands. He dropped her off in front of the library with another searing kiss and an endearing smile.

Emma waited until he rounded the corner before taking the steps two at a time.

Marley was half-asleep at the front desk, fingers curled around a coffee cup. Behind her, the stained glass windows gave the library a warm, golden glow, and Emma spotted one of the librarians sitting in a circle, all dressed in her Santa suit, while groups of kids vied for her attention.

Marley jolted awake when she saw Emma and pushed her chair back with a screech. Emma crossed over to her, stepped behind the desk, and drew Marley into a hug. She knew it couldn’t change what she’d done, or what she’d lost as a result of her own insecurities, but it was a start.

And it was long overdue.

Since coming back to town, Marley had been nothing but gracious, helpful, and caring, her same old self, and she had no idea how she’d ever lost sight of that.

How had she let herself get carried away and be blinded by her own fears?

She had every intention of proving to Marley just how sorry she was.

Emma released a deep breath and held her friend tighter. “I owe you the biggest apology. I shouldn’t have let my insecurity and fear get in the way of our friendship all those years ago. Worrying about you and Jack…it had nothing to do with you. I know you would never hurt me like that. I was just scared.”

Marley patted her back. “I know that, babe. I never held it against you. You and Jack were just going through a tough time.”

Emma sniffed and pulled back to look at her. “I will make it up to you, Marley. I know it’s years later, but I hope it’s not too late.”

Marley laughed, her cheeks a bright pink. “There’s nothing to make up for. Trust me.”

Emma peered into her friend’s face, open and earnest, and felt the smile spread to her lips. “There is, and it’s a good thing I’m going to be staying in Rockport for a while. It gives me a chance to really make amends.”

Marley made a low squeaking sound, and her hands flew to her mouth. “You’re staying?”

Emma nodded. “I am. I still have to work out a few of the details, but this feels good. It feels right.”

Marley threw her arms around Emma, and the two of them spun in a circle. “Oh, this is amazing, Emma. It’s going to be so much fun having you back. Just like old times.”

Emma stopped spinning and pulled back to look at her. “This is going to be even better. Thank you for not holding a grudge and for giving me a second chance.”

Tears spilled out of Marley’s eyes as she sniffed. “I knew you’d be back someday.”

As the two of them sat down behind the desk, laughing and dreaming up plans for Emma’s future, she felt better than she had in a long time.

Something had finally clicked, and Emma had no idea why it had taken this long.

All she knew was the more she thought about it, the more her decision made sense.