“The dirt?” Olivia frowned.
“I know it sounds crazy. But humor me.”
“Okay…” Olivia dug her bare hands into the warm earth, sifting through clumps of dirt until her eyes widened.
“What? Did you find something?”
“I think so.” Dumbfounded, Olivia lifted a clear plastic bag. “There’s something inside.” She shook off the grainy flecks of soil before breaking the seal. “I can’t.” She passed the bag to Cassie. “This is too weird.”
“You have no idea.” Cassie chuckled, pulling out the note.
“You’ve made it this far, the end is in sight. You’ll find the diary second to the right. Keep going till you reach morning light. Then I’ll bid you farewell; it’s been a delight.”
“And I thought it couldn’t get any stranger,” Olivia said with an incredulous shake of her head. “What do you think it means?”
“I’m not sure, but we’ve had pretty good luck solving them so far.”
“Maybe someone at tonight’s get-together will be able to offer some insight?”
“Good idea. I’ll be sure to ask around.”
“What’s the impromptu gathering for, anyway?”
“Do we really need a reason?” Cassie kept her tone light, but she could barely contain the news.
“I guess not.” Olivia laughed. “It will be nice to have an evening to relax. Between work, wedding planning, and organizing the festival, I could use a night off. And speaking of the festival, are we still meeting with the historical society at the café? If so, I’ll have Reed meet me there afterward rather than riding over together later tonight.”
“Yes, we are. My mom has been helping out so I can focus more of my time on the fundraising efforts. I’ve already garnered commitments for several silent auction items as well as some impressive prizes for the raffle. I just need to collect them all.”
“That’s wonderful. I look forward to meeting her. According to Kat, she’s quite a remarkable woman.”
“She is.” Cassie managed a smile despite the faint whispers of worry worming their way into the forefront of her mind.
What happened last night? And why wouldn’t her mother talk about it?
CHAPTER15
DONNA
Donna wiped the frothing nozzle, watching her daughter from the corner of her eye.
Cassie sat at a large round table with several women from the historical society. Although many of them were decades older than Cassie, Donna couldn’t help noticing their obvious fondness and respect. Cassie was the kind of woman everyone admired. What must it be like to live that kind of life?
A heaviness settled around her as she recalled her almost-kiss with Rhett last night. At least, she’d thought he was about to kiss her. But when his son arrived, Rhett jumped away like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t. And the look on his face… Was it guilt? Shame? Her heart squeezed at the vivid image permanently imprinted in her mind.
Of course he’d been embarrassed. She wasn’t the kind of woman men bragged about dating. At least, not good, honorable men. The kind of men she dated loved her for her appearance and what they thought she could offer them—a fun time without strings attached. Strings like human decency and consideration for her feelings. Why would someone like her have feelings?
She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, wincing at their tenderness. Why had Rhett’s reaction affected her so deeply? She hadn’t cried like that in years. And only once over a boy. She didn’t get emotionally involved. She didn’t get her heart broken.
But with Rhett, something had felt different. She’d thought he understood her. That he could see therealher, past her failings and flaws, beyond her brokenness to the heart of who she was—someone redeemable. But if a man like Rhett, who’d forged his own second chance, couldn’t see any good in her—anything worthwhile—then maybe it wasn’t there at all.
The only silver lining from the ordeal? Despite every urge, every need to dull the pain, she’d resisted the temptation to drink. And for that reason alone—to maintain her promise of sobriety to herself and her daughter—she’d face Rhett again. She’d attend the recovery meeting tonight and pretend she hadn’t even noticed his blatant rejection.
Feeling an uncomfortable tingle in the back of her throat, she shoved the hurtful memory aside and grabbed the tray of drinks she’d prepared. Forcing a smile, she strode to Cassie’s table. “Here you are, ladies.”
“Thank you! These look fabulous.” Cassie surveyed the selection. “Let’s see, the lavender rose latte is for Olivia.”
“It smells heavenly! Thank you.” The tall brunette with dirt beneath her fingernails flashed a friendly smile as she wrapped her hands around the large, round mug. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Hayward. I’ve heard such wonderful things about you.”
