"Is she okay?"
"She's fine. More than fine, actually." Ben's expression turns thoughtful. "Look, my sister's going through a lot right now. Not bad stuff, just... figuring-out-life stuff. She's got these big dreams about starting her own marketing business. Knows it's gonna take time, money, a lot of work. She came home to regroup and plan her next move."
"That's ambitious."
"That's Bea." There's clear pride in his voice. "She's never done anything halfway. Problem is, she's so focused on her goals that she sometimes forgets to let herself just... live. Feel things." He pauses. "Whatever happened today at that festival? I think it caught her off guard. In a good way, maybe. But she needs time to figure out what it means."
Hope flickers in my chest. "I don't want to complicate things for her."
"You won't." Ben's grin returns. "Seth, I've known you since you brought your pet turtle to show-and-tell in first grade. You're a good guy. Steady. The kind of guy who shows up when it matters." He meets my eyes. "The kind of guy who'd be good for my sister, if that's where this is heading."
My heart kicks up. "I?—"
"I'm not saying rush anything. Bea needs time to figure out what she wants. But between you and me?" Ben leans in slightly. "I saw the way she looked when she came back to the truck today. That wasn't regret, man. That was someone who just had their world tilt a little bit. In a good way."
"So what do I do?"
"Be patient. Keep showing up, not in a pushy way, just... be around. Let her see you're not trying to derail her dreams or pressure her into anything." Ben claps my shoulder, friendly and encouraging. "Be yourself. That's enough."
"I can do that."
"I know you can." Ben steps back toward the door. "And Seth? Next time you show up, bring coffee. Hazelnut latte, extra shot, oat milk if they have it. Shows you're paying attention. That goes a long way with Bea."
"Coffee. Got it."
"She starts back at the general store Monday morning, in case you need to know." Ben's grin turns mischievous. "Just got her old job back. You know, for official deputy business or whatever."
"Right. Official business."
"Exactly." Ben opens the door, then pauses. "For what it's worth? I think you'd be good together. You're steady, she's ambitious. You're patient, she's stubborn as hell. Could work." He disappears inside with a final wave.
I stand on the sidewalk as evening settles over Honeyridge Falls, Ben's words settling over me like a warm blanket. That wasn't regret. Her world tilted. In a good way.
I head back to my patrol car with something bright and hopeful blooming in my chest. The general store where Bea works is right on my usual patrol route. Pure coincidence if I happen to stop by Monday morning with coffee from Maeve's bakery.
Nobody's going to believe that excuse, least of all me.
But Ben said to keep showing up. Said I'd be good for her.
So that's exactly what I plan to do.
Because I've been playing it safe for twenty-seven years, and one kiss with Bea Wilson taught me something. Maybe it's time to stop playing it safe and start showing up for what I want.
Chapter 4
River
Ican't stop thinking about the woman from the festival.
Saturday at the Thanksgiving Festival, I'd been heading over to say hi to Levi when I spotted her near Sadie's flower booth. Dark hair catching the afternoon light, green eyes that sparkled when she smiled. Something about her made my brain just stop working.
I'd been trying to work up the nerve to approach when her ex showed up.
Watched the whole thing unfold. The way her entire body went rigid. How he followed her through the crowd with that entitled determination that made my hackles rise. The desperation in her face right before she grabbed Seth Monroe and kissed him like her life depended on it.
My chest had gone tight watching her panic. Watching her need to do something that extreme just to make a guy back off.
Then Sadie had mentioned her name in passing to Levi, and I'd nearly choked on my kettle corn.
