Abby never slept that night. As the hours wore on, her resolve began to weaken and the need to write back became nearly desperate. When her alarm went off at seven, she hit snooze four times before she dragged herself out of bed and into the bathroom where she was confronted with the mess she’d made the night before.

Her heart was heavy as she went through the motions of showering, telling herself over and over again that she was doing the right thing. Her life was here. His was there. And as much as she loved him, she couldn’t do the long-distance dance again. Not even for him.

Emerging from the shower, she pushed through the hair drying and straightening ritual, even though exhaustion clung to her every movement. In the time it took to dry her hair, she decided that if he texted again, she’d either have to write back or change her phone number.

The store opened with much fanfare the first Saturday in June. It had come together exactly as Abby had hoped, part practical, part whimsical and very much in keeping with the tradition of Abby’s Attic. Practically everyone she’d ever known on the island came in that first day to welcome her back, including Grant and Stephanie.

They greeted her with warm hugs.

“Congratulations,” he said while Stephanie poked around the store. “It’s even better than the original.”

Abby thought so, too, but he was the first to say it out loud, which she appreciated. “Thank you. It’s nice to be back in business. How’ve you been?”

“Better.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with Cal, but it’s nice to have you back on the island.”

“There’s no place like home.”

His smile reminded her of old times, many of them good times. “Ain’t it the truth?”

A customer in need of assistance interrupted them. “Excuse me,” Abby said. “Duty calls.”

He left with Stephanie a few minutes later, giving her a wave and a thumbs-up on the way out. It had been nice to see him and to feel nothing more than warm friendship toward him.

Abby spent the rest of the day on her feet with no time to think of anything other than work and customers and inventory. It was just like old times, and it was exactly what she needed.

She hired a high school girl to work some weekend afternoons in the store, which was how she was able to break free for Janey and Joe’s shower at Mac and Maddie’s house two Saturdays after the store opened.

The guys had apparently done some significant grumbling about having to attend a baby shower, but Maddie had made the case that the baby was Joe’s, too, so why should he be left out? And if he had to be there, he needed reinforcements.