She followed the sound of children’s laughter until it led her to the petting zoo and pony rides.
And there, right by the split-rail fence, stood Margaret Coleman—lemonade in hand, posture impeccable, and looking more composed than Daphne had felt in weeks. She wore a sun hat the size of a dinner plate, but instead of looking ridiculous, she somehow made it seem like the height of class. AllSouthern Livingand elegance.
Margaret spotted her and offered her signature smile in welcome. “Is the cook-off finished already?”
“Just,” Daphne said, brushing wind-tossed hair out of her face and trying not to sound as emotionally scrambled as she felt. “Voting closed a few minutes ago.”
“It’s all so exciting,” Margaret said, eyes following the ponies as they clip-clopped by. “Fantastic visibility for both of you.”
“Truly.” Daphne nodded, eyes locked on a little girl trying valiantly to get her pony to trot. “A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“You’re adored in Wisteria, dear,” Margaret continued, her tone like chamomile tea with just enough honey. “But it’s nice to see others finally noticing what we’ve always known. All that hard work. And that divine food.”
“Thanks.” Daphne turned toward her. “I’ve... actually loved the push of all this. I think I’ve been stuck for a while and didn’t even realize I had so many ideas in me until Finn showed up.”
Margaret’s brow lifted slightly—the kind of lift that said,interesting, while her lips remained diplomatically silent.
Daphne flushed and quickly amended, “I just mean, competition gets the creativity flowing.”
“Mmm.” Margaret sipped her lemonade, her smile unconvinced. “He’s got the sort of presence that stirs things up, doesn’t he? But he has a good heart too. And Wisteria suits him. Don’t you think?”
Hedidseem to have a good heart, but was it a faithful one? “He fits better than I expected,” Daphne admitted, watching another pony circle. “And the town has basically adopted him.”
“Well, of course. Did you expect anything less from Wisteria?”
“No.” A reluctant smile tugged at Daphne’s mouth. “Once you’re in, we keep you.”
“Harry never even mentions going back to England, and he’s not half as outgoing and charming as Finn.” She paused, lips twitching. “Charming, but not likethat.”
A soft neigh drew Daphne’s attention back to the ponies. Lucy, perched atop a little white one with a pink ribbon in its mane, caught sight of her and lit up like a sparkler. She waved both hands, nearly toppling sideways in her saddle from the enthusiasm.
Daphne’s heart went completely and irrevocably squishy.
“She’s smitten with you,” Margaret said fondly. “And Finn talks about you like you’re family. Your ideas, your likes and interests. You’ve made quite the impression on him.”
Daphne’s cheeks flamed. “He’s just... friendly. With everyone.”
“He is friendly. One of his many charms.” Margaret tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Has been as long as I’ve known him, and that’s at least ten years.”
“And such a flirt.”
That eyebrow lifted again. “And that bothers you?”
Daphne hesitated, trying to untangle her own heart. She looked back at the ponies, waved again to Lucy. “It’s just... when do you know if it’s more than flirting? If it’s real? Or just... fun for him?”
“Do you want it to be real?”
Yes?The answer flew to her mind too quickly, but she paused. “I... I don’t know. Maybe.”
Margaret turned, leaning her back against the fence and studying Daphne. “So you want him to stop with the flirting? The teasing?”
“No.” It slipped out too fast, too honest. “I just—I don’t want to be the only one who thinks it means... something.”
Her voice sounded small. A little scared. Which was inconvenient, considering she hadn’t meant to be either of those things today.
“What makes you think he doesn’t mean it?”
Daphne looked away.
