I jot a few notes down on my ever-growing list—flyers, signage, maybe a small event to draw people in.
“You’re going to need help with that.”
I look up to see a woman standing in the doorway, a warm smile on her face.
“Hi,” I say, straightening. “Sorry—closed for now. Still getting things together.”
“I figured,” she says, stepping inside anyway. “I’m Brooke.”
Brooke Calder
“I’m Tessa.”
“I know,” she says easily. “Everyone does.”
Of course they do.
“I brought these,” she adds, holding up a roll of paper and what looks like a small toolkit. “Delilah said you might need signage help.”
“That’s… incredibly kind,” I say, genuinely surprised.
“Small town,” she says with a shrug. “We help where we can.”
I smile, feeling some of the tension in my shoulders ease.
“Then I will absolutely take you up on that.”
The next couple of hours pass faster than I expect. Brooke works efficiently, helping me measure window space, sketch out simple signage, and hang a temporary “Coming Soon” sign that already makes the place feel more official.
“So,” she says as she tapes the last corner into place, “you planning anything special for the reopening?”
“I was thinking something small,” I admit. “Maybe coffee, a few promotions. Nothing huge.”
“Make it a thing,” she says. “People here like a reason to gather.”
“I’ve noticed.”
She laughs. “You’ll get used to it.”
“Hopefully.”
She steps back, admiring the sign. “Looks good.”
“It does,” I agree.
A comfortable silence settles for a moment before she adds, “You should come out with us sometime.”
“Us?”
“Local hiking group. We go out a couple times a week.”
“That actually sounds nice,” I say. “I could use a break from… all this.”
“Perfect,” she says. “I’ll text you the details.”
I nod, appreciating the easy inclusion. As we step outside to look at the sign from a distance, I notice it again. The glances. Subtle. Quick. But there. A few people further down the street shift their attention as someone passes behind me. I turn slightly.
Archer.
