Chapter 1
Natalie parked her truck on the side of the road and rolled down her window. For nine years she'd missed seeing the sparkling water of Flathead Lake, the mountains that rose around her like a warm and welcoming hug, and the wildflowers that grew everywhere. The colors, the light, the peace—it was all here and more.
Nestled against the shore of the lake was Sapphire Bay, the small town that had given her so many happy memories.
Her fingers itched to take out her sketchpad, but she had to keep moving. After countless delays and a diverted flight, it had taken three days to fly from Italy to Montana. She should have stayed with friends in Bozeman, caught up on the sleep she desperately needed. But once she'd made the decision to leave Venice, she'd wanted to get to Sapphire Bay as quickly as possible.
With one last, lingering look at the lake, she started her truck and drove toward town.
The number of vehicles on the road surprised her. So did the new stores that had opened. The sleepy little town with no traffic lights or fast food restaurants had changed. Cafés rubbed shoulders with antique stores. There was even a fashion boutique and a gallery. There were so many new businesses that she nearly drove past the general store.
The first person she saw when she walked inside was Mabel Terry. Gray hair framed the same kind face and gentle blue eyes that Natalie remembered.
Mabel was listening to a customer, smiling at what was being said.
While they were talking, Natalie found a shopping cart and wheeled it toward the shelves. She’d buy enough food for a few days, then come back when she wasn’t so jet-lagged. Halfway around the store, she remembered the apple cider that Mabel’s husband used to make.
She spun her cart around and nearly bumped into another woman. “Oops. Sorry.”
“That’s okay,” the woman said. “I’ve done the same thing myself. The aisles aren’t very wide.”
Natalie smiled and kept walking. After going up and down another two aisles, she stopped and frowned.
“You look lost. Can I help?”
The same woman she'd nearly collided with was standing beside her. “The owner of the store used to make his own apple cider. Do you know if he’s still selling it?”
“I sure do. Follow me.” The woman pushed her cart across the store and stopped in front of a small refrigerator. “Here you go.”
Stacked in neat rows were at least a dozen bottles of Allan's homemade cider. “Thanks. I don’t know how I missed them.”
“I’m not sure why they’re separate from the other drinks. But at least you know where they are now.” The woman held out her hand. “I’m Brooke. I haven’t seen you in Sapphire Bay before.”
“My grandparents owned a cottage here. I used to stay with them each summer, but I haven’t been back for a long time.”
“I moved here two years ago and it’s the best thing I ever did. Is this a visit or are you planning on staying?”
Natalie looked over her shoulder. It was silly to think that anyone would care about who she was, but old habits were hard to break.
A man took something off the shelf behind her.
After he’d moved away, she turned back to Brooke. “I thought I’d stay for a few weeks and see how everything goes.”
Mabel rushed across the store with her arms open wide. “Well, I do declare! If it isn’t Natalie Armstrong. It’s been too long since we’ve seen you.”
Natalie returned Mabel’s hug. “It’s good to see you, too. I’m surprised you recognized me.”
“You haven’t changed one bit. We missed seeing you at your grandparents’ funeral.”
“I was living in Europe and couldn’t get home.” Natalie swallowed the knot of grief that lodged in her throat. To this day, she regretted the decision she’d made. It had taken her too long to realize that work should never come before family.
Mabel’s generous smile turned into a frown. “I hope you pre-booked your accommodation. There’s a craft fair and a concert this weekend. The hotels are full.”
“I’m staying at my cottage for a while.”
“The cottage at the end of Bluewater Road?” Mabel seemed confused. “But someone’s living there. It was rented a couple of months ago.”
Natalie’s eyes widened. “Rented? Mom didn’t tell me someone’s staying there.”
