“Eleanor Davenport is here. We still need to talk, but later. Right now smile, wave, and act like everything is normal.” Zoe glared at Jackson.
He came quickly around the other side of her booth.
“Put your arm around my waist,” she murmured. “Act happy.”
His movements felt awkward at first, but he slid a hand around her waist and even bent to kiss the top of her head.
“Surprise!” Eleanor sang as she approached. An older gentleman walked with her, cane tapping lightly against the pavement. It was hard to tell if he needed it or if it was simply for show. “I was telling Mr. Davenport here how much I loved Maple Falls, and that he had to come experience it in the springtime. It really is beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Oh, absolutely.” Zoe laughed. It sounded fake and hollow even to her ears. “You can sample a bit of everything at the Spring Market. Jackson’s family farm has a booth just a few stalls down.” She pointed to Liam, who was chatting easily to a group of tourists who had stopped by his table.
“As you can see, my brother knows his honey,” added Jackson. “He sells it in his farm shop.” Liam was holding up a jar and passing around samples.
Eleanor turned to her husband. “That was the clover honey you had with your scone at the Cinnamon Spice Inn the other morning. Delicious, wasn’t it?”
“I do love a good honey,” Mr. Davenport agreed, already drifting toward the other tables.
Zoe hoped that Eleanor would mosey on down with her husband. Her emotions felt brittle at best.
“And how are you two?” Eleanor’s gaze returned to them, sharp but smiling. Her eyes lingered on them longer than was comfortable. Her smile never wavered, but Zoe felt as if the woman could see straight through their act.
“Last time I was here,” Eleanor said—her tone held an edge—“I was struck by how aligned the two of you seemed. Today…” She inclined her head slightly. “Forgive me, but something feels a bit off. And when a project rests on partnership, that worries me.”
“What? Nah, no…we’re all good!” Zoe laughed. Her grip tightened on her latte cup until her knuckles ached.
Eleanor leaned in as if imparting a secret. “I’ve been married three times, dear. I know these things.”
She knows. She can tell. Oh God, don’t let her walk away now.
Jackson spoke up, his voice steady. “If anything’s off, it’s only because we’ve been working hard—between the shop, the farm, and now…the new discovery we’re chasing.”
Eleanor’s brows lifted. “Discovery?”
“A legendary local flower called the Moonlight Kiss. Nobody has seen it in years, but we’ve been trying to find it so we can bring it back as part of our project. Actually, I think I might have spotted something yesterday when I was out riding,” continued Jackson.
“You did? Where?” Zoe cut in, surprise and excitement in her voice.
“Up near the ridge past the old mill. There’s a spot where the river branches out, and it’s an easy cross. I think it might be the trail to that meadow. The place you spotted weeks ago.” His eyes locked on her.
A surprised gasp crossed her lips. “Are you serious?”
He nodded. “Didn’t go all the way in. I wanted to wait for you. Thought maybe we could go together.”
“If that isn’t the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” Eleanor said, pulling Zoe away from Jackson’s eyes.
“If we can find it, we’d like to try restoring it. We’ve been gathering clues on the kind of conditions it needs. Warmth, water nearby, soil taken from high-up places near the ridge. It would be a key feature of our Local Blooms project,” Zoe said, getting back down to business.
Eleanor clasped her hands together, eyes shining. “My goodness, that sounds like exactly the kind of community-driven nature story we’re hoping to highlight. You must keep me updated.”
“Of course,” Zoe said, a touch of genuine excitement creeping into her tone.
Eleanor’s gaze lingered on them, assessing but approving now. “Well then, I’m reassured. You two must be doing okay, if you’re working on this little mystery together.”
“We’re getting there,” Jackson said, eyes back on Zoe. “And we’re going to find it.”
Eleanor’s grin widened. “Good. Because partnerships worth keeping are rarely perfect—they just need two people willing to grow together. Perhaps this flower will be a sign that you two are heading in the right direction.”
Zoe nodded as Eleanor waved and walked away, and then she turned to Jackson, pulse still unsteady. “You realize we just promised her we’d find a mythical flower nobody has seen in years.”
