“I’m not going to debate that again. However, I will get down on my knees and plead with you to accept this gift if I have to. Otherwise my marathon drive will have been in vain.” Not quite accurate, in light of all the beneficial outcomes so far—but true in terms of her original purpose.

She held her breath as she waited for Tasha to respond, prepared to continue this fight if necessary.

“I’m paying it back, you know.”

The tension in Christi’s shoulders eased. She wasn’t going to have to strong-arm Tasha after all.

“We’ll talk about that down the road. In the meantime, can you text me the wire transfer information?”

“I’m on it. You know, it may be spring, but it suddenly feels like Christmas.” Tasha’s growing elation and excitement crackled through the connection. “I can’t believe this. It’s like . . . like a miracle.”

“For me too. The best I hoped for from this trip was a loan—but I found a new home in a beautiful place I already love. It’s a win-win all around.”

Not to mention all her progress toward making peace with Jack—an unexpected and gratifying bonus.

“In that case, I’m glad you went—even if I miss seeing you.”

“But you’ll be moving to KC anyway, with your restaurant about to become a reality.”

“That’s why phones, video-chat apps, and other technology were invented. However—one of these days, I’d like to come out and see Hope Harbor and that beautiful house in person. The virtual tour you gave me whetted my appetite for a visit.”

“You’re welcome anytime. But unless my mysterious landlord agrees to renew the agreement, I may have to give up Sea Glass Cottage come the end of October.”

“I better hustle getting my place up and running, then. And thank you for—everything. I’d pretty much given up hope. You’ll never know how much this means to me. Not just the loan but our friendship.” Her voice choked.

“The feeling is mutual.” A customer came in, and Christi stood. “I have to go. Stay in touch.”

“Always.”

As the line went dead, she slipped the cell back in her pocket and welcomed the woman who’d entered, Tasha’s comment about miracles playing through her mind.

So many of the things that had happened since she’d arrived in Hope Harbor fell into that category. Not at a dramatic parting-of-the-sea level but on a quieter, smaller scale. Like the beautiful cottage, rent-free. Beth’s job offer. Charley’s kindness. The softening of Jack’s heart.

Gratitude bubbled up inside her for all the wonders this trip had wrought.