The countertops gleamed from hours of polish. The windows shone with fresh glass Lucas had installed the night

ust the shop th

ted looking at Olivia when

oughby from behind the bakery cou

handed her change at the hardware store. "I hear

rches. Someone had apparently spotted her and Lucas in the back of the flo

, a laugh was

ers had bloomed in

fé for a coffee and nearly

sement. "I almost didn't recognize you withou

ned-high school frenemy, now perched in a corner booth wearing

th forced brightness.

you're not just

uess

the full download. You know how Rosebay is-if

sitated,

ng her sunglasses. "S

e's no 'me and Lucas.' He's hel

and fix up the place with Rosebay's most e

t ask fo

Mia said with a wink

taken over her family's boutique, how the town's annual tulip fest

ood to leave, Mi

"I'm glad you're back. Even if you left messy, you

nodded

think the things we don't talk abou

o find a small bouquet waiting on the co

as would

ce of

eminder he w

the soft sce

s, she saw a familiar red truck pull up.

you," she sai

kno

keep sho

ping just short of the por

doorframe. "I'm not u

e," he said si

hat. Not one that didn't soun

racket while she arranged a new display of hydrangeas and lilies.

ing," she said w

t t

u to say. Yo

now me. They don't know you

t it sc

"No. You've always

ed. "Gee,

this way of making people feel like they shoul

erious. "I don't wan

logizing for w

p, she glanced toward

ea

to stop helpin

en turned ful

want me

sitate

I wo

lest contract s

ndmother's old rocking chair, the

ould gossi

n years, she didn't

Hale wasn't just fix

g her rebuild somet

rs