Page 38 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

My father was quite surprised to learn there was a town meeting last night. He said Vovo told him it was canceled, though she claims he must have misheard her.

But Dad wasn’t sad to learn the Liberty Ladies would be taking over planning of the Maple Festival. Apparently, they were always second-guessing the plans, so he figures they might as well just run it.

When I knock on my father’s door, he tells me to come in, but the room is empty when I enter. I haven’t been in my father’s room since it became only his room almost ten years ago. So I’m surprised that it’s almost exactly as it was back then. The only difference I notice is that the nightstand on my mother’s side of the bed is empty except for a single lamp. It used to be covered in strewn papers from her clients’ books. And a novel or two.

That familiar pang that hits whenever I think of my parents’ divorce clangs heavily in my chest.

“Vovo says dinner will be ready in thirty,” I say loudly, assuming he’s in the bathroom.

When he replies from the other side of the room, I jump. “Sounds good.”

He’s seated in a wingback chair in the corner, a book in hand and his feet up on an ottoman. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No worries,” I offer. “I’ll let you get back to reading.”

He smiles and then turns back to his book. That’s when I spot the picture on the small table next to him. It’s of my mother. Just my mother.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

I jerk my gaze from the photo and force a smile. “Just tired, I guess. I think I’ll go get some fresh air before dinner.”

My father stares at me for a beat before I turn on my heel. I take the steps down to the foyer two at a time and then sneak out the back before Vovo spots me to call my mother.

I’m not sure what I think I’ll learn from her. As far as I know, she and my father have only spoken twice since the divorce: once when I graduated college, and then again when we celebrated the release of my first book.

“Jake.” My mother answers the phone with affection in her tone.

“Hey, Ma, how you doing?”

The moment I hit the lush verdant grass and feel the cool breeze that floats off the bay, I relax.

“Just leaving the office. Going out with a few colleagues for cocktails.”

“Oh, I won’t keep you, then,” I say. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“And what are your plans tonight?”

“I’m hoping to get some writing done.” Though I haven’t seen Penny since I claimed her at the town meeting, her magic is still working on me. I wrote another six thousand words today and I’m hoping to get even more done tonight.

“Does that mean I’m getting more of Willa and Jasper?”

“I take it you’re enjoying them?” I hedge, nervous and excited that this story feels so different from anything I’ve ever written. I sent her the first few chapters this morning, but I’m not surprised she’s already read them.

“I’m loving them. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. The chemistry from the moment he found her in his bedroom in chapter one! Ah, I’m obsessed.”

My heart gallops at the mention of the book’s opening. And the muse behind it. “Good, I should have another few chapters for you tomorrow.”

“Don’t work too hard. It’s okay to have some fun, you know.”

“I know, Ma. I miss you.”

“And I miss you, too. I was thinking maybe I’d come visit in a few weeks.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, fall in Hope Harbor was always sort of magical. Vovo said the Darling Farm has cottages now, too. Maybe I’ll rent one of those for a few weeks.”

I hesitate too long.