“No way,” he breathed. “You brought Scrabble?”
When he glanced up at his baby sister, there was somuch hope and happiness on her face that it hurt his heart.
How did I ever let things get so bad between us?
But he couldn’t change the past. The best he could do was focus on the future.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d have time to play,” she ventured. But he could see by the look in her eyes how much this meant to her.
“Oh, I see what this is,” he told her teasingly. “You think now that you’re all grown up you can beat me. Don’t you?”
She laughed and he headed over to the counter.
“I’m going to put on some coffee,” he told her. “Then we’re eating pie and playing this.”
And for that moment, all of his other fears and concerns melted away, and for the first time in a long time, Ransom felt like everything was just fine.
6
HAILEY
Hailey wandered around Friendship Flowers in Trinity Falls village the next day, admiring the beautiful displays while she waited for the owner to finish up with a customer.
She had been hoping to find a wonderful new florist in town, so when she saw the same name as always on the tiny storefront sign she was a little worried. Friendship Flowers had always been a solid, dependable shop with reasonable prices. But they didn’t have the cozy aesthetic she was hoping to pull off for her event at Wright Farm.
The moment she stepped inside, though, it was clear that she had struck gold.
Gorgeous pine garlands, strung with tiny twinkling lights dangled from shelves covered in treasures. Boughs of evergreen with sprays of red berries and bouquets of holly were displayed in beautiful containers. There were antique vases painted with tiny flowers, thick hand-thrown pottery vases, and even tiny crystal bowls.
Fragrant wreathes hung from a thick ribbon over each window. And the case of refrigerators along the back wall of the shop was filled with lush flowers. A selection of beautiful gardening tools rested on a mossy bed behind a carved wood bookcase displaying handmade greeting cards.
Hailey felt like she had wandered into an enchanted cottage in a magical forest. She’d brought along her laptop with all her inspiration photos on it, but looking around, she wasn’t sure she even needed it. This place was perfect.
As she browsed, she noticed a sign by the register announcing a fundraising auction to benefit a homeless shelter in the city. Hailey got a lump in her throat remembering how generous this small community was. When she compared these local farmers and small business owners she had grown up around, who all shared what they had, to so many of the wealthy celebrities and producers she worked with, who didn’t even bother to tip the coffee girl—well, it made coming home feel so much sweeter.
“Thank you so much,” the customer at the counter said, holding a gorgeous bouquet of pink roses to her chest. “I know she’ll be so happy when she sees these.”
“Send her my love,” the lady behind the counter replied before turning to Hailey with a friendly smile. “May I help you find something special?”
“I was actually hoping to talk with the owner,” Hailey said. “I can come back whenever it’s convenient.”
“No need,” the lady replied. “My name is Sage Carlsen, and I’m the new owner.”
“Oh, did you just buy the place?” Hailey asked her.
“Well,” Sage said, smiling, “I actually bought it a little over three years ago. But in this town, I’m told that makes me a newcomer.”
That made Hailey smile.
“You’re not wrong,” Hailey told her. “I grew up in Trinity Falls, so I know all about that.”
“What can I do for you?” Sage asked.
“I actually just bought a place out on Providence Road,” Hailey said. “The Wrights’ old farm. And I’m planning to use it as a destination of sorts.”
“Like a bed and breakfast?” Sage asked.
“More like a cozy venue for weddings and parties,” Hailey told her. “The farmhouse is really charming, and I’ll be doing some things to upgrade the gardens and the patio.”
