Page 29 of Just Let Go

THE PLANNING MEETINGSfor the Winter Carnival were always held on Tuesday nights, and Quinn had gotten so busy at the flower shop, she’d almost forgotten. As promised, Ryan Brooks and Lane Kelley had stopped by late that morning, and she explained what she had in mind—a shop that was charming and welcoming, one where people stopped in even if they weren’t looking for flowers.

She wanted lots of white, galvanized metal light fixtures, a new Forget-Me-Not logo painted on the back wall, and displays that invited people to lean in and smell, touch, and eventually purchase their favorite flowers.

“Well, it doesn’t sound like you need me at all,” Lane had told her. “You’ve got some great ideas here.” She’d been flipping through Quinn’s book of sketches and torn-out magazine pages, all the designs she’d been storing for years. The styles had changed, but Quinn’s vision hadn’t. She wanted classic. Traditional. Light and airy.

Ryan had agreed to help her with the built-in displays as well as installing some of the light fixtures and refinishing the floors.Quinn would add a fresh coat of white paint to the entire space, including the brick wall behind the counter, and of course, she’d decorate for Christmas—white, evergreen, and burlap brown. It would be perfectly classy.

Lane gave her the instructions she needed to add her logo to the back wall (hand-painted, no less), and as they stood there, Ryan got an idea for a brand-new, custom-built checkout counter.

In fact, he and Lane disappeared into their own lingo for a minute, talking about a supplier they knew, some old barn wood they’d found, and a sheet of galvanized metal they could use to face the entire thing.

While Quinn had no idea what most of it meant, she went along with it because she trusted Lane and because they’d practically begged her to let them make it.

“Who am I to argue with a creative idea?” she’d said, praying their help was within her budget.

Now, she walked toward the offices of the convention and visitors’ bureau, just down two blocks and across the street from the flower shop. As she did, she passed by Hazel’s and noticed that the holes in the wall had been patched up and the place already looked a lot better.

Up ahead, she could see people beginning to arrive for their meeting. The committee was small for such a large event, with only about fifteen key volunteers and leaders. In the summer, it was easy for Harbor Pointe to draw in the tourists, but years ago, someone realized the little town on Lake Michigan could become a winter draw if they wanted to make it one. Since local businesses depended on tourism, it had always seemed like a worthy cause, even before she was a business owner.

Plus, as a single almost-thirtysomething, Quinn had plenty of time to be involved.

She walked up the sidewalk and toward the front door, where Danny Carver waited for her.

“Evening, Quinn.” He grinned at her—a little bit dorky, but endearing just the same. Danny was a good guy, just not her type.

That’s the way you like it, remember?

While loneliness sometimes nagged her—mostly in the evenings when she was eating dinner alone on the sofa—Quinn had no interest in romance. She’d spare herself the heartache and maintain a safe distance at all times.

Even from someone as harmless as Danny Carver.

Danny pulled the door open for her. “You look beautiful as always.” He stood almost eye level with Quinn.

“Thanks.” She took off her coat and tucked it in the crook of her arm, switching her purse from one shoulder to the other.

“So, congratulations.” Danny shoved his hands in his pockets. “I heard you’re Harbor Pointe’s newest business owner.”

Quinn smiled. “Yeah, I am. Still feels like a dream, really.”

“I bet. I remember in high school you went there every afternoon.”

She’d had early release their senior year and spent most of her days helping Mimi. The flower shop had been part of their community, though Quinn still believed that had less to do with Mimi Hudson and more to do with her own mother. When her mother had owned it, it had been even more special, almost magical. Quinn and Carly would dance around behind the counter while their mother picked out the most beautiful blooms for her customers.

“Remember, every single person in our shop is coming for a very special reason. Whether they’re celebrating or mourning or simply looking to cheer someone up, we get to be a part of that.”Sometimes her mother said she could see what a person needed as soon as they walked in the door. And she was right. Quinn had seen it time and time again.

Laura Danvers? A bouquet of poppies. Because her perky, bubbly daughter was about to turn sweet sixteen.

Steve Putnam? Red roses. Because he was in the doghouse with Mrs. Putnam—again.

Morris Davidson? Tulips. Because they were simple, elegant, and beautiful just like his wife, Sadie.

Quinn had always thought it was her mother’s superpower, beingable to read people like that before they even said a word, when, in fact, she simply paid attention. Jacie Collins had her ears open at all times. Sometimes she’d overhear someone talking at church, and she’d tell them to stop by for a bouquet on the house.

“You look like you need a little pick-me-up,” she’d say. “Come by the shop later and I’ll have a bouquet of sunshine just for you.”

People around town always thought so highly of Quinn’s mother, which was, Quinn supposed, why her leaving was such a shock to the system. Not only for the Collins family, but for the entire town. Like a stitch in their fabric had been pulled.

It was ancient history now. Quinn was the new owner of Forget-Me-Not. And she had no intention of leaving.

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