“What in the world?” Finn exclaimed. He was standing behind her with Oliver at his side. How she wished her son wasn’t here to witness this.
“This place is a wreck!” Oliver said, walking past Maggie and peering around him.
Maggie reached for her son’s arm to stop him from venturing around the store. Things were stacked up high. It was very possible something could fall on top of him and he could get hurt.
“No one’s been in here since Tobias shut up the shop,” Finn said. “I had no idea this place looked like this. It’s probably why he shuttered up the windows.” Finn had a stunned expression etched on his face.
Maggie shook her head. She felt sick to her stomach. “I—I don’t know what to think. This place isn’t even close to being ready for a grand opening.” Tears pooled in her eyes. Once again, she felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under her. She hadn’t expected the place to be in pristine, ready-to-go condition, but nothing had prepared Maggie for the ramshackle appearance of the store.
“I think Mommy is going to cry again,” Oliver said to Finn in a loud whisper.
Finn met her gaze. She tried her best to blink away the tears. She felt a few tears slide down her face. It was embarrassing. Maggie wanted to be a courageous person. Not someone who broke down every time she came upon a roadblock.
“I’m not crying, Oliver,” she said in a shaky voice. “I’ve just got a little dust in my eyes.”
“It is dusty in here,” Oliver said, scrunching up his face as if he smelled something rotten.
Suddenly, she felt Finn’s arm around her shoulder. He pulled her close to his side and began patting her on her shoulder. It felt comforting and solid. It had been such a long time since she’d been held up by a man’s strong arms. For the first time since she’d come back it seemed as if no time at all had passed since they’d been inseparable running buddies. Finn had always been good at drying her tears over skinned knees and squabbles with her mother.
“It’s going to be all right, Mags,” he said, using his childhood nickname for her. “All this means is that we have our work cut out for us. We can do this.”
Her lips trembled. “B-but Christmas is only a month away. It’s important that I hit the ground running so I can take advantage of holiday sales.”
Finn nodded. “I agree. Those holiday sales are crucial, which means we’ve got to get this place in tip-top shape. Starting today.”
She sniffled. “You’re right. I’m just afraid it will all fall apart,” she confessed. “I knew everything seemed too perfect.”
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them. For the Lord, your God, goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you,” flowed from Finn’s lips.
Maggie was familiar with the Bible verse, but it had been quite some time since she had cracked open a Bible. His words were comforting. They settled around her like a warm, cozy blanket.
“I know this must seem overwhelming,” Finn said, “and I totally get it. You weren’t expecting to see the place look like this.”
She shook her head, her hair swinging around her shoulders. “I thought maybe there’d be a little dust and a few cobwebs. A few boxes stashed in the corner.” She threw her arms wide. “But this! It seems a bit like a hoarder’s dream.”
“It’s not as bad as all that.” Finn looked around the shop. “This place needs some TLC. You’re probably an expert at that, right? You’re a mom. You’ve changed dirty diapers and wiped messy chins and faces. Mothers are warriors. Just think of this as taking care of a child, one who is totally dependent on you.”
Maggie chuckled. Taking care of a child was nothing like clearing up this tornado. But at least she could find humor in it. Finn had made her laugh at a moment when she felt deflated. Just like the old days. When they’d been ten years old Finn had brought humor and light to her life. The two summers and one Christmas she’d spent in Love palling around with Finn had been the best days of her life. He’d always had the ability to make her laugh. After all of these years, he still did.
She took a steadying breath. Finn was right. This place needed some serious TLC. Uncle Tobias had gifted her with a magnificent inheritance. He had made it possible for her to change her circumstances. She’d had to fight her whole life just to keep her head above water. And even though she was terrified, Maggie wasn’t going to give up without a battle.
She placed her purse down on a nearby counter after wiping it down with a towel, pushing aside a few boxes in the process. She unzipped her down jacket and tossed it on a chair covered with plastic. She turned back toward Finn and Oliver then dramatically pushed up her sleeves.
“Let’s get to work, boys. We need to get this place set up for the Christmas rush.”
Finn let out a roar of approval. He raised his arm in the air in a triumphant gesture. Oliver, looking like a pint-size version of Finn, did the exact same thing. Maggie didn’t have time to worry about Oliver’s instant bond with Finn. Who wouldn’t be crazy about the man? He was charming and funny and he had the cutest smile she’d ever seen.
Maggie looked away from the distracting sight of Finn O’Rourke. She had a job to do. She was laying the foundation for a solid future in this town. If they could get Keepsakes ready to open in two
