Trusting His Promise (Love on Sanctuary Shores #5)

Chapter 37

“Mommy, look how much candy I got!” Sam ran toward Jo, holding out her overflowing bucket and nearly tripping over the Snow White costume Dad had apparently traveled to the mainland to get her.

“That’s a great haul.” Jo tried to work up some enthusiasm, but her heart had gone flat. When Dad and Sam had surprised Jo with the theme they’d been keeping a secret all week, her heart had soared. Surely, the choice of Snow White—the very thing Beckett had called Sam—was a sign that everything would work out.

But it had been hours since she’d sent Beckett that text after church, and he hadn’t sent even a single word of response. She had been an idiot for sending it. And not only that, but Sam kept insisting that Beckett would be here—even though Jo had explained a hundred times how impossible that was.

So now she had not only her own disappointment to handle, but her daughter’s too. She had known all along that falling for Beckett was a mistake, but she’d gotten so caught up after church this morning that she’d let herself believe—

A pair of hands grabbed her shoulders from behind, making her jump.

Sam clapped, and Dad chortled, and Jo tried to spin around to see who was holding her, but whoever it was, they were too strong.

A presence moved closer to her, and she caught the scent of fresh rain.

Her heart bounced.

Was it even possible?

“What’s this I hear about you not keeping your promises?” a voice growled in her ear.

“Beckett!”

His grip on her shoulders loosened, and she whirled to throw her arms around him as his closed around her.

“How are you here?” she breathed into his chest—and then realized that it felt oddly silky. She pulled back a little and then wriggled out of his arms to get the full effect.

“Are you . . . a prince ?”

He chuckled and nodded sheepishly. “I promised Sam that if I could make it, I would be her prince.”

“I told you he was coming,” Sam said, her giant smile minimizing the impact of her smug little voice.

Jo rubbed at her forehead, dazed. “I should have realized you were behind the Snow White thing. But I still don’t understand . . . How are you here? I only sent that text a few hours ago, and Nashville is like a day away.”

“I was already long on my way before I got your text,” Beckett said, sliding his hand into hers.

“But— But, why?” She still couldn’t wrap her head around this. “After I . . .”

“I told you I wasn’t going to give up on you.”

“But you didn’t reply to my text.”

“That’s because you told me not to.” He smirked. “And I wanted to surprise you.”

“But—”

“No buts.” He pulled her closer and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I’m only sorry I can’t stay longer. I have to head back on the last ferry.”

Jo gaped at him. “You traveled all day just to be here for a few hours?”

“It was worth it to see you.” He leaned forward and brushed a light kiss across her cheek. “Now, how does this trunk-or-treat thing work?”

Sam filled Beckett in on the apple bean bag toss she and Dad had designed, and he spent the next hour helping her man the game and hand out candy.

Jo drank in the sight of the two of them together—she wasn’t sure who was beaming more.

How could she ever have doubted that Beckett was exactly who he said he was—exactly who she needed?

When trunk-or-treat was done and they’d cleaned everything up, Beckett insisted that he was taking everyone out for ice cream.

“I don’t want any,” Sam announced.

Beckett looked at Jo in alarm.

“Don’t you feel well?” Jo asked her daughter.

“I feel great,” Sam assured her. “I just want you and Mr. Beckett to have some time alone together.”

“That’s very sweet of you.” Beckett raised an eyebrow at the girl.

Sam shrugged. “Anyway, if Mommy isn’t home, Opa will let me eat more candy.”

Laughter rang through the group, and Sam grinned at them all.

Beckett knelt and gave Sam a powerful hug. “I have to leave after this, but I’ll be back soon. You make sure your mom doesn’t forget that this time.”

Sam nodded gravely. “I’ll remind her every day.”

“Good.” Beckett squeezed her again, then turned to Jo. “Ice cream?”

She nodded mutely, and he wrapped an arm around her, cinching her close to his side.

They made their way to the town square, but instead of turning toward The Pearl, Beckett tugged her into a small alcove next to Confections for All Occasions.

“Beckett what are—”

“I can’t wait any longer to do this.” He tucked her gently into a recessed space in the wall, then braced his hands on her arms and brought his lips toward hers so slowly that Jo could count every breath.

When he was almost to her, she closed the distance, her breath hitching at his surprised inhale. His arms closed around her back, pulling her to him, and she slid her hands behind his neck, burying her fingers in his hair.

The kiss told her everything she needed to know—she had made the right choice, trusting him.

When they finally parted, he grinned at her. “That’s better than ice cream any day.”

She pretended to pout. “Does that mean I’m not getting my cookie dough-brownie ice cream today?”

Beckett laughed, dusting a light kiss over her lips. “We’ll still get you your ice cream.”

He took her hand and led her back out to the town square.

“Can I ask what made you change your mind about . . . us?” Beckett said the last word with such joy that Jo’s heart leap-frogged over itself.

“It was . . .” She considered. “A God thing.”

“Yeah?” Beckett nudged her shoulder with his.

“To be honest, it’s the only thing that could have changed my mind, I think.”

Beckett chuckled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

They ordered their ice cream, then walked toward the ferry landing.

As they passed Fresh Catch, Lisa leaped out the door. “Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?”

“That depends on what you think you’re seeing,” Jo teased.

“Proof that I was right all along,” Lisa said.

“Oh that.” Jo nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly what you’re seeing.”

Beckett laughed and snugged Jo closer to his side. “I tried to tell her,” he said to Lisa.

“Sometimes she’s a bit thick-headed,” Lisa commiserated, “but I’m glad you didn’t give up.”

“Me too.” Jo agreed, and Beckett kissed the top of her head as they continued toward the ferry.

At the waterfront, Beckett turned to her, his expression worried. “I’m sorry I have to leave so soon. I know you’re afraid—”

“I’m not afraid,” Jo cut in. And for the first time, she meant it.

“You’re not?” Beckett studied her as if trying to detect a lie.

“I’m not,” Jo said. “Because—” She took a breath. “Because I love you.”

“You . . .” Beckett looked stunned, and then his arms were around her and she was juggling her cone so she wouldn’t squish it into his prince shirt.

“I love you,” she repeated, drawing back to look into his eyes. “And I know you’ll be back.”

“You better believe I will,” Beckett murmured, the moment before his lips carried her away on their promise.