“That sounds wonderful,” Sage said. “You probably guessed that I’m a fan of a beautiful garden.”
“I was planning to start things off with a party,” Hailey explained. “And of course I’ll need flowers.”
“Well, I’m so grateful that you came here,” Sage said. “I know you could have gone to the grocery store up on Route One, or one of the online flower services. It means a lot that you’re shopping locally.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Hailey told her. “I love everything you have going on in here. It’s just the vibe I’m hoping for at the farm.”
“Then let’s talk about what you’d like, and your budget,” Sage said. “I’ll do my best to make it work for a fellow small business owner.”
An hour later,they had worked out a complete plan, and better yet, Sage had agreed to attend the gathering as a guest.
“Hey, I’m about to close up for lunch,” Sage said as Hailey slipped her laptop back in her bag. “I always eat super early in case other people stop in here on their lunch breaks. Want to grab a bite together? I’m heading to Mallory’s bakery on Park, and I think she might be able to help with some of what you want as far as catering.”
“That would be great,” Hailey said, feeling like she had won the lottery. “I’ve been meaning to stop by there anyway. I’ve heard such good things.”
“Nothing like a sample to help you decide,” Sage told her. “My treat.”
Hailey pulled her coat, hat, and scarf back on. Once Sage was bundled up too, she turned over the sign in the window and they headed out together.
Snow flurries swirled and drifted to the sandstone sidewalks, as if they had caught Hailey’s happy and relaxed mood.
“So pretty, right?” Sage asked. “Sometimes I can’t believe that it’s real and that I actually live here.”
“We’re so lucky,” Hailey said dreamily.
Sage nodded, but when Hailey glanced over at her, there was something almost haunted in her expression for just a second.
They turned the corner at Gabriel’s Drugstore and passed a few more shops before arriving at the bakery,where Reggie Webb was coming out with a white paper bag in his hand. The beloved old gossip looked the same as ever.
“Hey there,” Sage said to him, and Hailey echoed her greeting.
“Is that Hailey Sinclair?” Reggie asked, looking amazed. “What are you doing here?”
“I bought Wright Farm,” she told him. “I’m home for good.”
“Isn’t that wonderful?” he asked. “And right next door to your old beau, huh?”
He winked at her and she felt her whole face flush. She was glad she was so bundled up, because she was probably red as a beet underneath it all.
“Nice to see you,” Sage said to him and grabbed Hailey’s hand to drag her into the bakery.
Hailey felt better almost immediately. The bakery was toasty warm and it smelled like heaven. Old-fashioned Christmas lights hung from the plate rail and gorgeous display baskets on shelves by the counter were filled with beautiful baked goods.
A young woman stood behind the register. She had sparkling green eyes and red hair in a neat ponytail. She was familiar, though Hailey couldn’t quite place why.
“Sage,” the woman said happily.
“Mal, do you know Hailey?” Sage asked.
“Well, I know she’s from Trinity Falls,” Mal said. “And obviously I know her fromRidley Hospital. I can’t believe what they did to BeeBee. You deserved to have a happily-ever-after with that dreamy Dr. Silverman.”
Her voice had gone low and intense for that last bit,with a genuine sympathy that was typical for fans of the show. Living in New York, Hailey had been spotted by viewers pretty regularly, and many of them talked to her as if the line between herself and her character was awfully thin. Plenty of them even talked to her like she simplywasBeeBee Evans.
It was strange at first, but now Hailey took it as a great compliment that her character felt real to them.
“Thanks, Mal,” Hailey said. “But I think things worked out just fine. I loved being on the show, but I’m glad to be home.”
“There are a lot worse places to come home to than Trinity Falls,” Mal said with a big smile. “Well, have a seat and I’ll bring you two a menu.”
