The Memory Keeper: A Heartwarming, Feel-Good Romance(85)

When they were all strapped in, the attendant gave them the go-ahead as the bungees were pulled taut, causing Hannah’s knees to straighten. Mary waved at them from the edge of the platform. Noah pushed off first, his little body sailing into the air until the bungee caught him, bringing him back down. He kicked off again and flew through the air, giggling the entire time.

“Jump, Dad!” he said.

Noah called to his father as though it were the most natural thing in the world for him to do now. Liam pushed against the floor and soared to the heavens next to his son, both of them laughing together. Hannah couldn’t imagine a more perfect sight. She began to bounce herself, the three of them bobbing up and down, the pure joy of that moment something she’d hold on to for a very long time.





Thirty-One





The morning sun cast its bright shine on the tin roof of Nell Winter’s old barn, which she’d converted into a garden center for the locals. The deep-red structure with bright white trim sat in the center of a lush field, the large windows and doors all open, filled with pots of flowers in a rainbow of vibrant colors, bags of potting soil stacked by the main entrance.

Gran had called early that morning to say that she was coming home around noon, and Hannah wanted to be sure she arrived to an abundance of flowers. She’d fluffed the pillows on the porch, bought her a few new candles for inside, and she and Georgia were shopping for a pair of brightly colored perennials to fill the planters at Gran’s house.

Georgia picked up a white basket with a raspberry-colored mophead hydrangea, and held it up for Hannah’s approval.

“That’s gorgeous,” she said.

“Do you think your grandmother will be surprised by what we’ve done with The Memory Keeper?” Georgia asked.

“She’ll probably cry tears of joy,” Hannah said. “I can’t wait to show her. But that’s not the only thing I have to tell Gran.” Hannah told Georgia about Liam selling her the store.

“Oh my God! He loves you,” she teased.

Hannah shook her head with a grin, but this time, she believed Georgia. And Hannah felt exactly the same about Liam. “Let’s get these,” she said, pointing to the hydrangea. It was time to make some memories.



“Close your eyes.” Hannah helped Gran walk slowly down the path to The Memory Keeper, lining her up to show her what they’d done.

Maura and Chuck were there, along with Georgia, Christie, Liam, and Ethan. They’d all come to see her reaction and celebrate with her.

“Open them,” Hannah said.

Gran gasped when she saw the exterior, her eyes misting over. She peered up at the freshly painted sign in bright-yellow letters, her head swiveling to the new porch swing, all done up with color-coordinated yellow and teal pillows, the picture-window display Georgia had crafted with a stunning array of bouquets in all the newest shades for spring. Hannah took Gran’s elbow and walked her carefully along the landscaped yard, lifting her arm to help her up the two steps and through the door of the shop.

When they went inside, Gran couldn’t keep herself together; the tears rolled down her cheeks, just as Hannah had thought they would. Gingerly, she paced over to the pressed-flower boxes, running her fingers along the bottoms of the frames, peering in to get a closer look at the different petals. She made her way around to Ethan’s mural.

“You did this, didn’t you?” she asked Ethan, her trembling hand on her chest. “I can spot your work out of all the art in the world. You’re so talented, Ethan.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Townshend,” he said, a smile of gratitude also directed at Hannah.

Gran turned and faced the ladder, her hands flying to her mouth to cover the surprise. More tears brimmed in her eyes. “Who did this?” she whispered, touching it lightly, following the grains.

“Liam McGuire,” Hannah replied, introducing Liam. “The man who drove me home to see you.”

Gran reached out and took his hand. “Thank you,” she said.

She held on to the ladder, pushing it slightly back and forth, her eyes closed. “I can see Warren right now, moving this around to get flowers down for me.” She opened her eyes and held out her arms to Hannah. “I couldn’t have asked for a better surprise. My heart is full. And what a miracle it is that I’ve been given more time to spend in this beautiful shop. I am so blessed.”

“Well, I didn’t do it myself. Georgia helped,” Hannah told her grandmother. “And the surprise isn’t finished.” She took her grandmother’s hands and gave her a gentle spin, making her laugh. “You’ll dance here for many years to come, but not because Georgia and I have made the shop prettier. Liam is selling me the building. Gran, we own the shop.”

Gran stood speechless for a moment, and then she embraced Hannah and began to sob on her shoulder. She grabbed Liam, pulling him into the hug. “I can’t believe it,” she said, breathless.

“Look,” Georgia said suddenly. Through the glass of the door, Speckles was lapping up the milk from the bowl they’d left out for her.

Gran let out a satisfied exhale.

“Ready to go home, relax in your own house, and have a big celebratory dinner?” Maura asked Gran.

“You all go. I’d like to stay here just a while longer.”