Page 82 of Crazy in Love

Faith clicked off the horoscope app. It had been weeks since she’d checked it, but today was huge, and she thought it prudent to make sure there were no surprises.

It wasn’t that she’d given up entirely on starry divination. It was just that life had been so busy she didn’t have time for it. Crazy busy, actually. There was no other way to describe the last eight months.

Nick had sold his Boston house and moved back to Green Valley Falls. Soon after that, he quit his FBI job and ran for GVF sheriff, winning easily.

Faith, while continuing to pour her heart and soul into the bookstore, had planned and supervised the major renovations of the Ashford house. Once they were done, she’d added the finishing touches to make their house a home.

And of course, there was the nuptial planning. Nick had proposed on Christmas Day. Faith had immediately accepted.

Today was the culmination of months of hard work—the wedding, followed by their first night in the Ashford home.

“Hope, you ready?” Faith yelled down the hall of her childhood home. She’d stopped by to pick up Hope so she could drive Faith’s car back later.

“Yes,” Hope said, emerging from her room wearing a bubblegum pink dress. “You had to go with pink, huh?”

“You look lovely, honey.” Faith bent to kiss her cheek. “Where’s Dad?”

“He didn’t come home last night.” Hope arched an eyebrow.

“Gross,” they said in unison.

“Mrs. Hickman?” Faith guessed, and Hope nodded. “Well, good for him. Think she’ll become our new mom?”

“No one can replace Mom, but she’s all right, I guess. It’s not like you’ll be affected. You’re about to marry the perfect man and move into the perfect home.”

“I told you, it’s important to dream. Come on, let’s go.”

“Slow down. I’m still recuperating from last night.” Hope had spent the evening celebrating the last day of school with her friends.

“I don’t want to know what you did.” Faith waved a hand. “Plausible deniability. But did you have fun?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“I can’t believe the school year’s over already. And you, with the highest GPA in your class.”

“Top of twenty isn’t saying much,” Hope said, but her cocky smile belied her poo-pooing of the honor.

“Still, I’m so proud of you. Mom would be too.” Tiger jumped onto the chair back next to them and nudged Hope’s arm with his furry head. “See?”

“Faith, Tiger is not Mom. You know that, right?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

Hope rolled her eyes.

Faith pulled into the venue parking lot. It was a hundred-year-old barn on the outskirts of town, recently renovated specifically for weddings and other large events.

“I’m going to find Rex,” Hope said. “Let me know if you need anything. P.S. Grace and Joy are approaching from your six,” she whispered before giving Faith a quick hug and running off.

Grateful for the warning, Faith took a deep breath, plastered on a smile, and turned to meet her older sisters.

“Hey, guys,” she gushed. “Long time no see. Glad you could make it.” She hadn’t seen them since their mother’s funeral almost a year ago.

“Glad this is a happier occasion,” Joy said.

“We won’t keep you,” Grace said. “You’re busy, I know. But I have to get something off my chest. I owe you an apology, Faith. I said some things that weren’t nice or true at Mom’s funeral, and it’s been weighing on me ever since. From what I hear, you’ve done a marvelous job with Page Turners.”

“Me too,” Joy added. “I went in there yesterday, and it looks amazing. The changes and upgrades you’ve made are fantastic.”

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