Page 72 of Finding Forever

“Maybe it was a detective or Eric’s literary agent. He visited while we were at Alex’s house.”

Jonathan frowned. “They would have told Jenny who they were. Did anyone follow you around Willow Lake?”

I sighed. It was time to tell him everything. If anyone would understand, it was Jonathan. “I have a confession to make. We didn’t go on a road trip. We’ve been staying at Alex’s house.”

Jonathan took the mug I gave him. “But he lives in the middle of a forest. You wouldn’t see much of Willow Lake from there.”

“We weren’t there to see the lake. Someone’s been stalking Eric. When my cottage was broken into, Eric and Alex thought Mom and I would be safer somewhere else.”

“That makes sense, but it’s terrible that someone’s stalking Eric. Is everyone okay?”

“We’re fine. Mom made it back to Indianapolis, Alex is busy catching up on work, and Eric’s life is almost back to normal.”

“What about the stalker?”

“He’s been arrested.”

“Thank goodness for that.” Jonathan frowned. “Was the stalker the reason Eric moved to Sunrise Bay?”

I nodded. “He needed to go somewhere he couldn’t be found. Except it didn’t work out that way.”

“With the stalker locked away, will Eric go back to Brooklyn?”

A bubble of excitement filled my chest. “He’s staying in Sunrise Bay. Once everything’s settled down, he’ll buy his own home.”

Jonathan seemed surprised. “That’s quite a change for someone who’s lived his entire life in a big city.”

A sliver of unease crept under my skin. “I know. I hope he’s happy here.”

“I’m sure he will be. Look at me. I can’t imagine going back to my old life.”

I hoped with all my heart that Jonathan was right. “What happened with the building you wanted to buy?”

Jonathan grinned. “After the bank approved the loan, I made the owners a cash offer. It took a few days of negotiation, but we got there in the end. You’re now looking at the proud owner of the only candy store in Sunrise Bay.”

“That’s wonderful!” I jumped out of my chair and gave my friend a hug. “I knew it would work out for you. When do you take over the building?”

“Next Friday. The owners have agreed to leave all the furniture and appliances in the store.”

“Will that be easier for you?”

Jonathan opened the container of cookies. “It’ll make a huge difference. I should be able to make my candy from the store’s kitchen in a couple of weeks.”

I sighed. “I’m so happy for you.”

“So am I. Who would have thought we’d both find what we were looking for in Sunrise Bay?”

I bit into one of Jonathan’s cookies. Falling in love had been the last thing on my mind. I just hoped Eric loved Sunrise Bay enough to stay.

fifty-two

ERIC

I held Riley’s hand as we walked along the rocky shore of the lake. I took a deep breath, wondering what Sunrise Bay would look like as summer turned to fall, then winter and spring.

“It’s so peaceful,” Riley said, bending down to pick up a pale blue stone.

“Is that another one for your collection?”