A Christmas Affair: A Seaside Cove Romance (Seaside Cove Romance Series Book 1) (17 page)
Read A Christmas Affair: A Seaside Cove Romance (Seaside Cove Romance Series Book 1) Online
Authors: Cora Davies
Christmas One Year Later
Molly looked out the front window to Jack's Bar. Correction, the empty building that used to be Jack's bar. She was alright most days, but some she missed having him across the street more than others.
She was not even supposed to here today. Two more days, and Rachel would officially take over as manager of Molly’s store, and tenant of the upstairs apartment. She was supposed to be home with her boyfriend cuddling in front of the fireplace.
"Okay, so I just jammed the door like this." Rachel was demonstrating at the back door. "Then the keypad started beeping, and the cops showed up. I had to give them all sorts of identification since my name isn't on the lease."
"Here, when that happens," Molly pushed buttons on the door. "See? And we will get you on the lease right after the holidays. You know no one is in their office this week."
"Including you," Rachel said goading Molly.
"I would be if I wasn't here," Molly said in a singsong voice thinking about her new office.
"No you wouldn't. You'd be having sex in front of the fireplace with your stud," Rachel teased.
"Honestly Rachel, if that's all, I do have other places to be, it is Christmas you know... You should go to your sister’s house, spend the day with your family." Molly said grabbing her purse.
“I will, I will,” Rachel said. Then as Molly stared at her, Rachel laughed and grabbed her purse and keys. “Okay, I’ll go now! Merry Christmas Mols, I love you. I’m so proud of you for getting through this year.”
“Shush, you’re going to make me cry. Go.” Molly pointed at the door and Rachel left. Molly looked around the shop once more, not believing she was giving up control to Rachel. Molly was going to be working on top of the mountain each day instead, in an office that overlooked the ocean. Molly left her little gift shop and started the drive home.
She was partway up the winding road, when there was a loud bang and she lost control of her vehicle momentarily. She pulled over to the shoulder and got out, walking around her new car. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
She blew her tire out, and she had no idea where to even start when it came to changing a tire. She climbed back into the car and called him. No answer on his cell,
of course
. Molly dialed the number to Eli’s house.
“Eli, it’s Mols. I blew out my tire about two miles away from home, could you-“ she paused as he spoke. “Thank you.”
Molly leaned back on the seat and closed her eyes, as she waited for her knight in shining armor to arrive and change her tire. She was almost asleep when Eli’s truck pulled up behind her.
She popped her trunk and climbed out of the car. “Thank you so much babe.”
“I’m just glad you called. How’d you know I’d be at Eli’s?” Jack said as he wrapped Molly up in his arms and kissed her. Eli waved from his truck.
“You didn’t answer your cell, which meant you guys were probably talking about how to drum up more business for the brewery again,” Molly said.
“You know me so well,” Jack smiled. He went to work changing Molly’s tire. The last year had been a whirlwind for them.
The wound Jack had received from McGinley had left him without feeling in parts of his body. After six months of physical therapy Jack had regained most feeling and movement everywhere.
Eli ran Jack’s bar those first few months until Jack decided to sell the business. A man from the West Coast bought it, then almost instantly ran it into the ground. At the same time though, Jack and Eli bought an old restaurant on top of the mountain, and started a small brewery. Molly even stepped back from the gift shop to help run the business end of things. It was slow going, but beautiful, and it was going to be a success. Molly just knew it would be.
Lucinda had passed a few months after Christmas, leaving Molly stock in her father’s business. It was worth enough money that Molly would never have to work a day in her life again if she chose. For now, Molly left the stocks in the care of a lawyer, not sure what to do with the woman’s generous gift. Jack and her were talking about putting her college degree and the money to use, and possibly starting a charity in the next few years. Molly had heard through Frank, that Lucinda left Jeremy a tiny stock portfolio.
Jack finished changing Molly’s tire and waved goodbye to Eli. Their friend drove away as Jack and Molly climbed into her car.
“You know what?” Jack said.
“What?” Molly said.
“I finally got to save you.” He laughed and leaned over to kiss Molly as she put the car into drive.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t remember that,” she said smiling. “Let’s go home, I thought I could put on my Mrs. Claus dress.”
“I hope you mean the little one,” Jack said tucking a strand of Molly’s hair behind her ear.
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Writing a book is like barreling into the darkness and begging your friends and family to wait for you on the other side.
A Christmas Affair could not have been written without the following people.
My husband, who works fourteen hour days but still makes me breakfast every morning.
My oldest daughter who helps with all the chores so I can get back to work quicker.
My writing buddy DMPaul, though our imagined worlds are millions of miles apart, the support and guidance I receive from you is more than I could ever hope for.
My best friend and reader Angela. You aren't afraid to tell me when I'm doing something wrong, not only in writing but also in my life. And that really should be the definition of a best friend.
To all my friends and family who put up with my dramatic mood swings as I throw myself back in forth between my imaginary worlds and my very real grown up world.
For Lori at Self Published Book Covers. The second I saw this cover, I knew I had found Jack and Molly.
And to all the readers who picked up this book either in hard copy or ebook and followed Jack and Molly's relationship to the very last stop.
And finally, to Charles Dickens, who without his stories, this one would not have been possible.