I wander around town, ignoring the snow falling around me. It feels like hours have passed. Maybe they have. Time has pretty much stopped for me. Can’t turn it back, can’t seem to move it forward either. My heart is as numb as the rest of my body as the cold snakes its way through me. I breathe in the sweetness of Cam’s perfume. She barely had on the coat for ten minutes before she’d stomped out of the boathouse, but still, her scent lingers in the wool.

The streets are no longer bustling with people. It’s just me, walking around aimlessly, wondering again how I ended up here. The store fronts along Main Street are more spread apart now as I approach the Town Center. The Christmas tree stares back at me, glittering with tinsel and garland and glitter. Cam used to love the tree lighting ceremony. We’d always get a good spot because she insisted on going as early as possible, despite the biting cold. She’d settle into my chest, clutching her hot chocolate while singing carols with the town choir. That was always her favorite part of the holiday tradition.

Whose arms will be wrapped around her this year?

Not mine, since I’d made the most colossal fuck-up of all time.

Ping!

I pull my phone out of my pocket and take in a sharp breath.

Hey, Jackass, it’s a fucking Christmas miracle. Get back to the office.

Ian. Dammit. I can’t go back there.

Yes, you can come back here so don’t pull that bullshit excuse.

I didn’t even have a chance to type the words before I got his second message. A hazard of working side-by-side with the same person for the past five years is that he knows me inside out.

I sink onto a nearby snow-covered bench, still unwilling to leave the tree. Maybe I feel a little closer to Cam being here in this spot. And if it’s all I can get, I’m going to take it. I shake the snowflakes from the top of my head, the pained look on her face before she left the boathouse making my chest tighten.

I only went after her to apologize…to make things right between us. I never expected her to forgive me, although a tiny part of me did hope I’d feel her soft lips against mine again. The rest of the family deserves an explanation, too, but at this point, the only thing that matters is finishing the job we set out to do. If we can get them the money they need to take their company to the next level, maybe it’ll change the way they feel about me. But that trust thing…it’s hanging in the air between us. My word wasn’t worth shit before, so why should they believe in me now?

I peer through the falling snow at a new building across the center, one I’ve never seen before. Feedn Time is painted in bright colors over the door. There are no lights on, but there’s a sign hanging in the front window. I stand, my ass now soaked with snow, but curiosity captures me and leads me across the square.

We’ll be open through the Christmas holiday to make sure everyone has a delicious meal to share with family!

I squint but can’t see much through the window. An organic soup kitchen. This is where they prepare and serve the meals. My eyes dart back to the sign. And they’re going to be here for the holiday…

This has Cam written all over it. In high school, she’d volunteered at a nearby soup kitchen. She gave up all of her holidays with family and friends to serve meals to strangers, never once complaining about the hours or the conditions. She wanted to brighten the lives of those less fortunate.

“I have everything I could possibly want,” she’d tell me. “These people are missing so much, and even though I can’t make things right for them, I can at least bring them a bit of hope and happiness.”

It made me even more crazy about her.

One thing doesn’t make sense to me.

I didn’t see her name on the board of directors or on the list of officers for the company when I’d finally read through the report.

This place should be her baby, and yet she has no direct involvement with it at all.

Why wouldn’t she choose to be part of it now that she’s out of school?

I furrow my brow and back away. I spent so much time groveling and trying to explain why I’d let go of us that I never asked about her life, her dreams, or her plans.

I pull my coat tight around me and trudge back toward the office. I may be a lot of things to these people, but I’m not about to disappoint any of them again. Feedn Time is primed for success in the organic foods industry, and the story they tell is a heartwarming one inspired by one of their own. This is what I do. I position promising companies for success and the proof is in their bank accounts.

A few minutes later, I’m on the elevator, sailing back up to the Feedn Time offices. At least Ian will be happy to see me after he gets in his digs about me disappearing in the first place. My heart thumps faster with every floor passed and finally, the doors open into the reception area. Where everyone is still standing.

Great. I was hoping for a second to pull my thoughts together before being berated by Mr. Ellis again, but fuck it. I deserve the verbal lashing. If it was my daughter who’d been jilted without explanation, I’d probably be guilty of much worse, but Cam’s dad is a good guy.

He narrows his eyes at me as I step into the foyer, his glare making me feel like a bug being smoked under a magnifying glass. “Just so we’re clear, it wasn’t my idea to bring you back, Hartley. I don’t give a shit what you think you can do for us. As far as I’m concerned, we’re doing just fine on our own. We don’t need little pricks like you feeding us bullshit about how we can grow and prosper. I think the numbers speak for themselves. We’re doing pretty damn well on our own.”

“Dad, stop.” Tessa holds up a hand. “We’ve talked about this and bringing in outside money will help us to expand at a faster rate. We’re running our people ragged trying to meet demand, and everything is suffering. We can’t keep up with orders at this rate, and if we can’t harvest our food, we can’t serve it to those who need it.”

“Mr. Ellis,” I say, meeting his death stare. “I think you have a really great story to tell, a story that the public needs to hear. Not only do you provide healthy, organic meals for those in need, but you also help them provide for themselves by giving them jobs at the farm. Feedn Time is exactly the kind of company that demands attention, and I assure you that we can help shine a light on the way in which you give back to the community. People want a story. They want to feel. They want to be part of a solution. They want to be inspired. Your company delivers all of that, along with hope for the future. Don’t you want to take your operation outside of Pennsylvania and help so many others who need that hope? Let us help you. We aren’t in this for a quick profit. It will take a lot of hard work and strategizing, but I know we can get your products into retailers across the country and have people clamoring to become part of your homegrown community.” I pause, catching Tessa’s grateful smile. “Don’t let your personal feelings for me stand in the way of your company’s success. Think of all the good Feedn Time can do if we join forces.”

Mrs. Ellis laces her fingers with her husband’s. He still doesn’t look convinced. At this point, there isn’t much more that I can say, and Ian knows it, too. Looks like another verbal lashing is on my horizon.

“Daddy,” Tessa implores. “I think we should at least have a conversation, don’t you?”

Mr. Ellis sweeps a hand over his balding head and drops his wife’s hand. “Why should I put my faith in you of all people? How do I know you’re not going to leave us hanging after reneging on all of your empty promises? My company…my family…is too important to me. I thought it was too important to you, too, but I was wrong. I don’t want to be wrong again, Hartley. There is too much at risk. So consider this the conversation, Tess. The final conversation.”

Mr. Ellis turns his back toward me and walks into a nearby office, slamming the door closed.

Tessa lets out a grunt and rolls her eyes at her mother. “Jack, Ian, I’m so sorry. I just need some time to talk to him. I’m sure he’ll come around. I think he’s just been thrown for a loop. Can I give you a call tomorrow?”

I nod and grab Ian by the arm. “Sure, I understand. Let him think about it. We’ll be around.”

Ian barely manages to nod at Tessa and her mother before I shove him into the elevator. “You are such a fucking asshole. Why didn’t you just shut the hell up and let me pitch him? He clearly wants you to suffer a slow and painful death, so why would you push it with him? I only called you back because I figured you’d keep your damn mouth shut and we could show a united front while I closed the deal!”

“Relax. We’re not finished yet.” A small smile plays at my lips. “I have a plan. I hope you’re ready to hang here through the holiday.”

“Speaking of hanging…” He clenches his fists.

“Trust me, Ian. I know exactly what to do.” For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have a purpose. And it’s not to win Camryn back or get Mr. Ellis to forgive me. It’s to do something good for all of the people who have suffered because of their circumstances. I know that feeling all too well, but I was able to escape. I risked a hell of a lot in the process, but I got my life on track.

I ended up back here in Cringle Cove for a reason.

Closure.

I know how it feels when you have nothing to cling to, when you’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop, when you just can’t see the light at the end of the very dark and murky tunnel.

Cam gave me that hope, the way she gave it to so many others.

Now it’s my turn to return the favor.