Page 341 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

The sidewalk outside Main Street Jewelers is still damp from the overnight rain, and the flower boxes beneath the front windows overflow with tulips that seem determined to announce spring to anyone willing to notice.

Across the street, Brooke unlocks the bookstore while two high school boys argue over whose turn it is to carry coffee into the hardware store.

Briar Cove wakes the way it always has. Slowly. Comfortably. As though everyone has quietly agreed there isn't much point in rushing through a good day.

I glance through the jewelry store window. The lights are still off. Probably for the best.

Buying a new hockey stick? Easy.

Negotiating a contract? Manageable.

Playing in front of eighteen thousand fans? No problem.

Choosing the ring my future wife will wear for the rest of her life? Apparently, that's enough to make a grown man arrive fifteen minutes early.

The bell over the bookstore next door jingles. "Captain?" I turn to find Mr. Ellison walking his golden retriever exactly as he does every Tuesday morning. "Morning, Mr. Ellison."

His eyes follow mine toward the jewelry store, and the corners of his mouth slowly lift. "Big day?"

I can't help smiling. "I hope so."

He nods thoughtfully. "She seems like a wonderful young woman."

"She is."

"I've noticed something."

"What's that?"

"You smile more these days."

I laugh. "So, I've been told."

His dog pauses long enough to sniff the tulips before Mr. Ellison gently tugs on the leash. As he continues down the sidewalk, he glances back over one shoulder. "Don't overthink it."

I grin. "That's ambitious."

At exactly ten o'clock, the lights flicker on inside the shop. A moment later the front door opens, and Margaret Collins steps outside carrying a small watering can.

She stops when she sees me standing there. "Jamie Walker."

"Good morning, Margaret."

She studies me for all of two seconds before a knowing smile spreads across her face. "You're not here to have your watch repaired."

"No."

"Or to replace your mother's birthday earrings."

"No."

Her smile grows warmer.

"Oh..."

She sets the watering can beside the door. "It's finally time."

I blink. "You knew this day was coming?"