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They chatted over the rest of their dinner, Hazel’s plans for her business and her excitement to start putting down roots. She couldn’t wait to tell Sam. She felt lighter. Free. Finally, she’d reached a decision.

“I was thinking,” Sam called as he approached Hazel the following afternoon. She was in the garden playing fetch with Bailey.

“Thinking what?’’ Hazel asked as she threw the ball with all her might. They watched as Bailey took off, zooming through the grass.

“There’s somewhere special I want to take you.” Sam grinned and grabbed her hand. He twirled her around and pulled her into him.

A little dizzy, she laughed as she asked, “Now?”

Sam nodded. Bailey ran back towards them, the ball in his mouth slobbery.

“Drop!” Hazel called to him. Bailey dropped the ball on the grass and trotted after them.

“Pack a bag for tonight,” Sam whispered in her ear. Hazel grinned as she opened the door and they all stepped inside.

“Hello, Sam.” Molly smiled from the kitchen as Hazel darted past and thundered up the stairs.

“Afternoon, Molly. If you don’t mind, I’m going to steal Hazel for the rest of the day.”

“I don’t mind at all. Would you like some iced tea while you wait for her?”

Sam nodded as Molly grabbed the jug from the fridge, pouring two glasses. Molly took a sip of tea. “I assume I’ll be making dinner for one tonight?”

“Yes, if that’s okay with you?” Sam replied before draining his glass.

“Of course it is. She’s a grown woman.” Molly opened a jar of dog treats and dropped one to Bailey, who inhaled it.

Hazel came bounding down the steps, Sam lifting the duffel bag from her shoulder. They said their goodbyes and headed towards Sam’s truck.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked as they drove away from the farmhouse.

“It’s a secret.” Sam winked.

“Another special spot?”

“Any spot with you is special,” Sam replied with a grin.

Hazel laughed. She couldn’t help the wide smile that travelled up her cheeks.

Eventually, they pulled into Sam’s driveway.

“I’ve been here before!” Hazel exclaimed as she jumped out of the truck.

“Be patient!” Sam jokingly scolded as he carried her bag inside and grabbed a folded blanket from the dining table. He took her hand and led her outside to the rear of the house. Disappearing into the trees, they followed a well-worn path that scaled the hill. The path continued past the tree line, into a paddock settled in the valley.

“Is this all your land?” Hazel asked.

“Yep,” Sam nodded. He stopped when they reached a weathered fence.

Hazel gasped as she leaned against the fence. The meadow before her was bathed in golden sunlight. Blue wildflowers covered the ground.

“These are Austral Bluebells. Beautiful, aren’t they?” Sam spoke softly.

All Hazel could do was stare. She had never seen anything like it. Bending down, she thumbed a bluebell petal, the cornflour blue bright against her fingers.

“I was exploring the land last spring, and I came across this meadow. I wondered if the flowers would be here again this year, so I came to check the other day. I thought you’d like it.”

Hazel turned to him. “It’s lovely, Sam. You keep bringing me to these gorgeous places.” Standing on the tips of her toes, she reached up to kiss him. Sam smiled at her and delicately tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.