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The three sisters were taught to be safe with the magic. Mom constantly reminded them about how unruly Mother Nature could be, and although she was sharing a special small part of her wonder, they were taught that having such power meant taking responsibility.

The luck is there to make our days a little easier, our tasks a little lighter, she’d say. It is not there to use in our favor.

Most of the time, they listened. But they couldn’t help but see how far the magic could really go. If they ate one of the berries on the vine, could they safely climb the sugar maple next to the barn like Papa once did? Would sneaking a snack before school help with that planned quiz or test? Would it make a crush fall in love?

Their mother had been right, as always. Magic from the earth was unpredictable. It could help with feeling your best when it was time for a test, but that didn’t guarantee a perfect mark. A little luck also couldn’t make someone else fall in love.

But it never stopped them from trying.

Alana popped the cork with vigor, some of the bubbles sputtering out. The girls cheered as she poured the sparkling wine into glasses, then kissed Sophie on the forehead.

She raised her own. “To the birthday girl, who is the absolute light of our lives and brings sunshine into a room wherever she goes.”

Freya lifted her own. “To the nineteen-year-old woman who has grown and learned so much, and who is single-handedly saving this farm.”

“And to the hottest Marien sister, whose boobs finally came in, thank god,” Penny cheered.

Sophie rolled her eyes as they all hollered and raised their glasses. They downed their drinks, and Alana immediately filled them back up. The tingle on her tongue traveled from her throat to her belly, then slithered its way to her toes. She never got used to the feeling, the tingly sensation that felt almost unworldly. She wondered how anyone could drink their wine and not notice it.

Leo looked over at her at that moment. Cal was talking animatedly to him and Garrett. He nodded along, but his eyes were only for her as that soft smile curled at the corner of his lips.

She smiled politely back, wrangling the butterflies yet again taking flight. Her mind went to that moment on the couch, the ways his touch had soothed her, the warmth of his body so close. She knew she needed to run from those feelings, but man, she wanted desperately to keep feeling them. To feel that nearness again.

“Can you imagine if they never did?” Chelsea teased, bumping Sophie’s shoulder with her own. “Mister would have needed a little more convincing.”

Sophie blushed and rolled her eyes again. “Stop.”

“Who’s Mister?” Freya asked, her tone defensive.

“Is this the older guy?” Alana pried, recalling the conversation she’d had with her sister weeks earlier, and the mystery man she spoke of.

Frey reared back. “Older guy? How much older?”

Alana shrugged. “She never told me how old. Or who.”

Sophie shook a hand, stopping them. “All not important details.”

Freya crossed her arms. “I beg to differ.”

“Hey, Freya,” Tess cut in, her tone flat. “Shut up and drink up.”

Freya frowned, then polished off her second glass.

Kaia rubbed Sophie’s back. She was the quiet, calming one of the group. Her job as a yoga instructor at the meditation studio downtown fit her perfectly. “Are you seeing this man?”

Sophie flushed, digging her cheek in her shoulder. “Kind of.”

Alana raised a brow, softly pinching Sophie’s arm. “Did you…?”

Sophie hesitated, then a huge smile took shape. “Maybe…”

Alana squealed and threw her arms around her sister’s shoulders.

“Wait!” Penny screeched. “Are you saying you guys—?” She held up her pointer finger and made a hole with her other hand.

Sophie slapped her hands down. “Oh my gosh, stop, that’s so crude.”

“But did you?!”