Page 47 of Sugar Plum Serenade

“I did. It was more fun than I expected. I honestly didn’t think I had any love for ballet left in me, but… I do.” She took his hand and led him away from the tree, toward the kitchen.

When they passed Dawn, who sat in an easy chair, the new mother glared at them. “I told you…” she whispered.

“Too late, sister,” Olive said with a smile.

Dawn rolled her eyes, but she also grinned. Sister stuff?

“What was that about?” Tuck asked.

“It’s not important. She’ll get over it.” The kitchen was deserted, which seemed to be what Olive was looking for. She turned to face him. “I have something for you.”

She reached into the pocket of her Christmasy dress and pulled out a folded envelope.

“You can open this if you want to, or not. That’s your choice. But I couldn’t help myself. I had to do a little digging online.”

He knew what was in that envelope. Relatives. Maybe an uncle with his nose or a cousin who also couldn’t stand cilantro.

His simple life was about to change, in so many ways. “If I decide to contact them, will you…”

“Hold your hand? You bet I will.”

He stuffed the envelope into his jeans pocket. “I was an ass Friday,” he said. “I’m sorry. I’m not great at handling so much coming at me so fast.”

“Maude? Relatives?”

“And you.”

In a matter of weeks his entire life had changed. Not to most observers, but inside, in his heart and mind, everything had shifted. Between Maude and Olive, he hadn’t had a chance.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small gray bag.

“Are those…”

“Yes. Maude’s earrings. The ones she wants me to give to the woman I love.” He leaned in and kissed her. Damn, he’d wanted to do this for days. Since their night together had ended, since he’d realized how important she was to him and backed away because backing away was easier than sticking around and getting the shaft.

Take a chance. Put it all on the line.

“These are for you,” he said. “My grandmother wants me to give them to the woman I love, and that’s you, Olive. It will always be you. Take them.”

Her response was to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him again. She laughed lightly against his lips, held on tight, and when she pulled away, he saw that her eyes glistened with tears.

“Are those tears of joy or…”

She took the earrings from his hand. “I love you, too.”

This was all well and good, but there were still obstacles in their way. For the first time in his life, he was certain there were no obstacles they couldn’t overcome.

“When do you go back to Birmingham?” he asked. “I can leave The Magnolia in good hands and be out of here in a couple of weeks.”

“That won’t be necessary,” she said.

His heart dropped until she continued. “I’m not going back. Well, I’ll have to make a trip to finish up some business and get my stuff, but I’m about to become a Seawolf Beach resident. By mid-year the Sugar Plum Dance Academy should be up and running.”

But she didn’t dance.

Before he could respond Ava, still in her fairy costume, ran into the room. “Stop yelling!” she said.

Olive responded gently. “We’re not yelling.”