Twelve Days (8 page)
John smiled and closed the book. “Is it okay if I keep this for later?”
David nodded, because he knew how much John needed to guard his emotions.
“My turn,” Jamie interrupted and dragged another parcel from his satchel. “This is something all about you too, John.”
“Damn,” John said and glowered at the parcel. “I just know this does not bode well.”
Jamie giggled and watched while John tentatively unwrapped his present, then rolled his eyes. “And I guess I am expected to wear this?” John said as he held up a T-shirt sporting a caricature of himself wearing reindeer antlers and a very Scrooge-like attitude.
John shook his head and raised an eyebrow at David.
“This looks suspiciously like your handiwork.”
David simply raised his hands and tried to look innocent.
“Now Scrooge is done, it’s David’s turn,” Jamie announced and pulled out a piece of paper. He looked at John first as if to double check it was okay to hand it over.
Jamie had eventually filled him in on his plan and the two had waited to decide if David would cope with the news.
Twelve Days |
Isabelle Rowan
John nodded. “This almost didn’t happen, but… you better read it for yourself.”
David took what looked to be a printout of an e-mail from an address he didn’t recognize and began to read. He stopped after a few lines as if needing a pause to take it all in. He sat and stared at the print before sharing. “It’s from my brother,” he said and returned to reading.
David, I was surprised and overjoyed when
your friend contacted me. I’ve tried to find you so
many times, but kept coming up with dead ends.
I’m living up north now in Darwin. The kids are
tanned and happy and miss their uncle. I miss
him too.
Please answer. I want my brother back.
Mark.
When he was done reading, David carefully folded the letter and put it in his pocket. Although he had mixed feelings about seeing his brother again, it was another hole in his life that had been filled, and he promised himself that he would write back. David smiled a silent thank-you; Jamie understood his lack of words.
John had watched David carefully while he read and his chest ached for his lover. He leaned against David and whispered, “In your own time.” John cleared his throat and stood up to walk over to the far wall of the store. “See this wall?” he asked the confused pair. “My gift is the removal of this section of the wall.”
Twelve Days |
Isabelle Rowan
“Um, okay?” Jamie said as if John had totally lost the plot and nudged David with his elbow to gain his agreement.
“I’ve leased the store next door and Barbara is helping me sort out the bureaucratic nightmare of all the permits and requirements, because Margins is going to expand and next door is going to be a reader’s retreat or something along those lines. Plans are being drawn up, or at least they will be when you two figure out how you’re going to run it. Now, I know it will operate at a loss, but that’s not what it’s all about, is it?”
Jamie laughed and jumped to his feet. “Keys. Do you have the keys so we can see?”
John rummaged in his pocket and threw a set of keys to Jamie, who promptly took off out the door. “Come on, Davey, we better go keep an eye on him.”
The empty store was still strewn with the debris of the past owner, but they could all see the possibilities. David twined his fingers with John’s and together they watched Jamie pace long steps across the floor. “We could have comfy chairs here… no, over there would be better. Couches? And a coffee machine.… Hey, what about a café section? You can give me time off to do a barista course. Yeah, I can see it all….”
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About the Author
A black cat for a witch may be a cliché, but add a whole bunch of tribal tattoos and an intolerance to garlic (seriously), and you have ISABELLE ROWAN.
Having moved to Australia from England as a small child, Isabelle now lives in a seaside suburb of Melbourne where she teaches filmmaking and English. She is a movie addict who spends far too much money on traveling… but then again, life is to be lived.
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Copyright
Twelve Days ©Copyright Isabelle Rowan, 2011
Published by
Dreamspinner Press
Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover Art by Mara McKennen
Cover Design by Anne Cain
This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the Publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 382 NE 191st Street
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/
Released in the United States of America December 2011
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