Page 90 of Hometown Girl

And something about that didn’t sit right with Beth.

Drew drove a golf cart he’d found in the garage from the main barn to the orchards, with Roxie running close behind. He’d seen the business card on the table among Beth’s mess of papers, but the name hadn’t meant anything to him until Walter said it aloud.

Davis Biddle.

If he had a bad reputation—if he’d been Sonya’s high school sweetheart—maybe Drew had overheard his parents talking about him. Maybe Drew had even seen him at Fairwind sometime.

Or maybe Beth’s suspicious curiosity had rubbed off on him.

The only thing he knew for sure was that the name struck a chord in his gut—a chord telling him to pay attention—and left him wondering if Davis Biddle might be the key to filling in some of the blanks in his spotty memory.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Downtown Willow Grove bustled with activity on Saturday morning. The high school’s senior class was throwing their annual school carnival and bake sale, the last big event before tourists took over their little town. Locals came out in droves to support the event, partly for nostalgic reasons and partly to raise funds for whatever the graduating class decided the school needed most.

This year, they wanted a new scoreboard for the football field.

Beatty Park, with its open fields and ample shade, had proved to be the best place in town for an event like this, complete with carnival rides, games and local food vendors who showed up early to aid a worthy cause.

Though Beth was exhausted, she knew showing her face at the carnival was important. These were the same people she hoped would support not only their barn sale, but the farm itself. Besides, she couldn’t miss the carnival. It was a tradition.

She loved the artistic spin the Willow Grove locals put on a school fund-raiser. Off to one side of the park, artists set up easels to demonstrate their skills, surrounded by displays of the original artwork they had for sale. Beth always stopped to browse the paintings, the art lover in her wishing for the chance to hold a brush again.

After days of long hours and sore muscles, Beth told herself she wouldn’t rush through the morning the way she usually did. She’d go slow, talk to the people she knew, people who had come out to volunteer their time and manual labor in an effort to get the farm off the ground. She owed them so much.

Today, she promised herself she’d enjoy the day off.

And true Saturday enjoyment started with coffee.

Up ahead, she spotted the red-and-white gingham bunting of Callie’s bakery booth. She hoped her friend charged a fair price for her pies and pastries. Knowing Callie and her big heart, she was probably giving everything away. But—Callie would have coffee. And right now, that’s what really mattered. Beth made her way through the crowd, and as she finally reached the booth, she saw a familiar profile in line behind an old couple.

Drew.

He glanced her way. She smiled. Her efforts to maintain a professional façade around him had been valiant but flawed. Because everything inside her turned to mush as soon as she saw those eyes.

“You’re out early,” he said as she reached the line.

“So are you. You didn’t want to sleep in?” She knew better. He probably hadn’t slept at all.

Roxie sat beside him, her leash wound through Drew’s strong hands. The dog stood to greet Beth, but one tug from the leash and she sat back down. “She’s not used to being around so many people.”

Beth knelt down and rubbed Roxie’s ears, avoiding the thick tail that pounded the ground beside her.

“Hey, you two,” Callie said, clearly assuming they’d come together. “The usual?”

Drew nodded. “And two apple fritters.” He glanced at Beth. “Unless you’re not hungry?”

“I am, actually.” She rarely allowed herself pastries, but lately she seemed to be living on them. Thank goodness even her simple farm chores burned lots of calories.

Drew took a twenty-dollar bill from his pocket and set it on the counter.

“Let me,” Beth said.

“Not a chance.”

Callie gave him his change and grinned at Beth. “Your sister was here already with her new dog.”

Beth groaned. “I hope she had it on a leash.”

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