Ollie nodded, understanding the weight behind Finn’s words. “If anyone can pull it off, it’s Brooklyn. She’s got the drive.”
Before Finn could answer, Brooklyn called back, “Are you guys coming or what? There’s a great view up here!”
They picked up their pace, following her to a small clearing where the town stretched out below, rooftops and church steeple peeking through a patchwork of autumn color.
“Worth the hike, right?” Brooklyn asked, already angling her phone for the perfect shot.
“Absolutely,” Ollie agreed, and this time there was no surprise in his voice. He’d grown up in Maple Hill, but the way Brooklyn saw the world—through her lens—made even the familiar feel new.
“Dad used to bring me here when I was little,” Brooklyn said, lowering her phone. “We’d have picnics and I’d try to catch frogs. Then I hit middle school and decided I was too cool for hiking with my dad.” She glanced at Finn, a sheepish smile flickering over her face.
“Phase of life,” Finn replied, but Ollie saw the quiet gratitude in his eyes at having her back by his side.
They found a fallen log and settled in, Brooklyn sandwiched between them as she scrolled through her photos. Her talent was obvious—she captured the kind of details most people walked right past.
“These are incredible,” Ollie said, meaning every word. “Have you ever thought about selling prints? Some of these would look amazing framed.”
Brooklyn looked up, surprised. “You think people would actually buy them?”
“Definitely. Local photography always does well, especially when it captures Maple Hill like this. If you want, I could display some in the bookstore.”
Her eyes widened. “Seriously? You’d do that?”
“Of course. Art and books are a perfect match. Jules has been selling their paintings there for a while now, and they can’t keep up with the demand.”
Ollie had originally made the offer to Jules as a way to get their work out of boxes and into the world, but it had become one more way to get people in the door. He loved the idea of expanding the selection, and helping Brooklyn see her talent was just another bonus.
Brooklyn turned to Finn, seeking his reaction.
Finn grinned at her. “I think it’s a great idea. If you’re up for it.”
Brooklyn’s excitement bubbled over. “Yes! Between working at the bookstore and maybe selling a couple of pictures, I’d be able to start saving up for a car for when I get my license.”
She narrowed her eyes, direct as always. “You’re not just offering because you’re dating my dad, right?”
Ollie smiled, appreciating her bluntness. “Nope. I’m always on the lookout for new products we could sell. The fact that your dad and I are together doesn’t change that. It wouldn’t do either of us any good if your prints were hanging on the walls if no one’s interested in buying them.”
Brooklyn considered it, then nodded, her smile growing. “Okay. Yeah. I’d like that.”
“While it’s admirable that you want to earn your own money, you have to work around school,” Finn added, but he couldn’t quite hide his pride. “And homework first. Always.”
“Obviously, Dad,” Brooklyn said, rolling her eyes, though she was practically buzzing with excitement. “I can’t wait to tell Isabel. She’s going to freak out.”
As Brooklyn hurried ahead down the trail, already texting her friend, Finn reached for Ollie’s hand, squeezing it gently.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he said quietly.
“I know,” Ollie replied. “But I wanted to. She was telling me last night about how her friends always want to go out and do things, but she doesn’t have any money of her own. This is a solution tothat problem without making her feel like a kid who has to ask you for an allowance.”
Finn’s gaze softened. “You’re something else, you know?”
Ollie felt a rush of warmth that had nothing to do with the weather. “Good something else, or weird something else?”
“Definitely good,” Finn murmured, leaning in for a quick kiss before they set off after Brooklyn.
Later that afternoon,they returned to Finn’s house pleasantly tired from the hike. Brooklyn disappeared to shower, leaving Finn and Ollie alone in the kitchen.
“I’m thinking of making pasta for dinner,” Finn said, opening the refrigerator. “Nothing fancy, but?—”
