“You get lost back there, Bright?” Shane’s loud voice called from the kitchen.
Levi pulled away and stared into Jillian’s eyes. “Be right there,” he called back, pulling Jillian into his arms again. There was no one on earth he’d rather get lost in, or with.
Forty
FOUNDER’S DAY, ONE WEEK LATER
Everyone she loved was standing somewhere in this crowd, mixed in with strangers, people she sort of knew, and ones she’d known her whole life. Most of the guests from the lodge had been eager to join in on the two-day celebration that started today. A few of them had opted to remain at the lodge for downtime. With all of the rooms opened and streamlined activities, the first week had felt much easier than last summer. They had their feet under them now. Every day posed new challenges, but all of them were okay with that because it felt like, together, they were making it work. Mr. Dayton was due to arrive later today and the entire Keller family was excited to see him, especially Ollie.
As everyone congregated on the front lawn of the museum, the double doors open, a podium set up on the wide stone porch, energy hummed through the air.
Gramps walked to the podium. “Look at this beautiful crowd.”
Everyone cheered and clapped. He waited until they quieted down. “I’ve lived in Smile for seventy-three years. My whole life. I’ve watched it grow and change. I’ve seen people come and go.I’ve been other places and always come home. We have a special community here and it’s growing every day. I’m grateful to live here with all of you.”
Toying with the bracelet Lainey had given her for Levi today, Jill scanned the crowd looking for him. He’d been serving up samples of lodge fare and connecting with tourists and locals. Like he’d sensed her missing him, his hand slipped around her waist, his face dipping next to hers. “I love you,” he whispered.
A full-body shiver went through her as she tipped her head back to look at him. “I love you.”
He kissed her, and she marveled at how surreal it all felt to be standing here with him, like this. That this was her life.
Gramps continued after stopping briefly for the murmuring. “As I was saying, we’re more than a community. We’re a family. And one of the biggest influences for all of us in our family and in this community are Pete and Gwen Reid.”
Jillian looked over to where Pete stood a head above several others. She couldn’t see Gwen but had no doubt she was next to him.
“What are you doing?” Pete called out.
“Don’t interrupt and I’ll tell you,” Gramps shouted back.
Even Pete laughed.
“Sometimes we don’t realize the impact people have on us until we really sit down and think about it. Or, until they get someone to clean out their garage and those kids, who I guess really aren’t kids anymore, end up on a trip down memory lane. Pete, it started with Levi needing a place to stay, which turned into the Keller siblings jumping on board. Then it trickled down and out because you’ve touched so many hearts and lives with your waffles and Gwen’s kind heart. Some spring cleaning took on new meaning. Pete, Gwen, we decided to honor you and all you’ve done for our community by doing a retrospective of sorts in the museum.”
The crowd, including Levi, Jillian, her brothers, and Presley, who had found their way to standing together, started clapping.
Gramps looked out at Pete. “You matter. You watched half the people in this crowd grow up.”
“Because I’m old,” Pete yelled, his gruffness tinted with humor.
“That you are. But that just means you’ve got more history here. People have so many great memories of the place you’ve held in our community. Thank you, Pete and Gwen, for being leaders in the community. For being part of our family.”
Huge cheers and whistles filled the air. Pete, on the urging of Gramps and probably Gwen, came up to the podium.
He looked out into the crowd. “Get up here, Gwennie. I’ve never done this alone and I’m not starting now.
“Who did this?” Pete demanded of the crowd, his voice cracking just a little. “What’s in there?” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder toward the museum as Gwen joined him on the stage. “If it makes me cry I’ll be putting chili flakes in your waffles for a month.”
Gwen wrapped her arms around one of his, leaning into him. Pete leaned down and kissed the top of his wife’s head.
Pete looked out at the crowd. “All I ever wanted was to live in this town, marry Gwennie, and have our girl. I know I can be a grumpy bas—”
Gwen tugged on his arm.
Pete frowned. “Agrump. But you all come to my diner all the time and let me do exactly what I want to wake up and do every day. The fact that you’d honor me and Gwennie for the privilege of living here and being part of your lives is too much. But we appreciate you. All of you.”
Everyone clapped. Pete and Gwen hugged Gramps and each other. Then Gramps led them forward into the exhibit. Peopledispersed, some to get to their booths and tents, others to visit the museum, and still others to set up on the shore with picnic spots.
It would be a long and wonderful day, and there was absolutely nowhere else in the world Jillian could imagine being happier.
