Liam had made sure to go all out, offering a little bit of everything. His favorites were the Rustic Winter Jam Trio with mini jars of cranberry pear, spiced apple butter, and bourbon cherry jam packaged in a wooden crate. And the Hot Honey & Cheese Pairing Set. It included a jar of his family’s signature hot honey, a wedge of aged local Cheddar, and rosemary crackers, all tied with twine and a sprig of pine.
His personal life might be a mess, but when it came to this shop, he knew exactly what he was doing—simmer pot kits, DIY wax ornaments, a reusable winter market tote featuring a hand-drawn sketch of Maple Falls; Liam wanted his shop to represent the heart of the town.
He went to tell Mrs. Bishop thank you when he spotted the Team Cassidy sweater peeking out from under her unzipped coat.
He replied with a small, involuntary grunt instead.
“Nothing personal,” she said brightly, catching the look on his face. “I just think the children’s hospital is a really goodcause. I’ve already donated to your family’s llama sanctuary. And Cassidy really is the sweetest thing.”
He nodded without meeting her eye, wrapping her purchases and sliding the items into a brown paper gift bag.
“You’re right, she is.”
After Mrs. Bishop left, Liam slipped his sketch pad out and got back to work, adding wisps of hair framing her face, an extra sparkle to her eye.
The bell jingled overhead, and Liam cursed softly, closing the pad a beat too late. Zach stepped inside, stomping snow off his boots, and gave him a look. “Drawing her now, huh?” he said, arching a brow.
He scowled. “Don’t start.”
It was too late. That was the only reason Zach had stopped over in the first place.
“I haven’t seen you around much the last couple of days,” Zach said, glancing at the empty shop. “What’ve you been up to?”
“Work,” Liam replied, opening the inventory software on the computer. He might as well check and see how many jams he needed to order.
“Ah, of course. Work,” Zach replied sarcastically. “Takes a lot out of you, doesn’t it?”
“Sure does.” Liam kept his eyes trained on the computer screen. “Do you need something?”
“Just wondering how long you plan on acting like an ass.”
That got Liam’s attention. “Who said I was acting like an ass?” He expected Zach to say Zoe. Or Madison. Maybe even Kit.
“Cassidy. She told me I should come over and smack some sense into you.”
“She did not.”
“No,” Zach admitted, “but she did ask my advice. She was wondering how much space to give you. That part required a little explaining… You want some advice?” Zach asked.
“No,” Liam replied flatly.
“Excellent, ’cause I never wanted your advice either, but here you have it—talk to her.”
Liam sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know what to say. I’m not even sure that I’m wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s been through a lot. I’m not sure if you knew about it, but after that French asshole, she made this vow: no dating, no men, just time to figure herself out. I respected it, or tried to.” His jaw tightened. “She came to me, Zach. She told me she was tired of letting Jean-Paul’s shadow control her. She wanted to take her life back. She wanted to break her ‘no men for the year’ vow—on her terms. All in. Physically, emotionally, everything.”
Zach studied him. “And what did you do?”
Liam let out a breath, shaking his head. “I let her. I went there with her.” His voice dropped, rough with feeling. “Wouldn’t you?”
He paused, staring past Zach toward the snow-covered sidewalks outside.
“I thought everything was good. Better than good. There’s something about her that just snaps something loose in me. Makes me want to give her everything. But I didn’t realize how new all of it was to her. How little experience she really had.”
Zach folded his arms. “So now you think Cassidy doesn’t know herself? Doesn’t know what she wants?”
