Page 10 of A Field of Beauty

That was seven years ago, and yet there were times when Tessa felt like it was yesterday. She hadn’t been in contact with Jaime and Claire since she left Sunrise, and certainly not with Rose. How could she? Shame craved secrecy.

five

Chase your wildflower dreams, because even the smallest buds can become something beautiful.

—C.V. Sutherland

The following Saturday, Tessa and Dawson packed the horse trailer with double the amount of last week’s blooms. As Dawson drove into town, a funny look came over him, like he was trying hard not to swallow. All of a sudden, Dawson chuckled.

Tessa looked at him, shocked. “What’s got you grinnin’ like a possum?”

He slowed the car and pointed to a Tyler Thompson the Third billboard.

“Oh no. No!” Tessa said. Tyler had told her that the intern had solved the billboard “lack of clarification problem” of what office he was running for. A giant sticker had been overlaid on the right corner of the billboard to announce it. A good solution, but unfortunately,Councilwas spelledCounsel.

Dawson’s chuckling developed into a full belly laugh, tearsrunning down his face. “He’s running to be Asheville’s first elected therapist.”

“It was the intern’s fault,” she said quietly, trying very hard to stay somber, but it didn’t last long. A snicker, a chuckle, then full laughter.

Dawson wiped tears away with his shirtsleeve. “Are you sure this intern isn’t a planted saboteur?”

Tessa’s cell phone rang, and she glanced at caller ID to see Tyler’s name. She had to let it ring a couple of times, taking in deep breaths to stop laughing, before she could answer. “Morning.”

“What’s that noise?”

“Hello to you too. The noise is the truck. I’m heading to the farmers’ market.”

“Why can’t the field hand take care of the market today?”

Tessa cringed. “Because I need Dawson’s help.” Tyler had all kinds of snarky terms for Dawson: field hand, handyman, plow guy, tiller. In his mind, there was no way a guy would work at Mountain Blooms Farm unless he had the hots for Tessa. He just didn’t understand the working partnership between Dawson and Tessa.

“How late does it go? I need to be there by six o’clock.”

“Where?”

“Very funny, Tessa. Tonight’s the night that’s going to change everything for me.”

She sobered instantly.Oh boy.She had completely forgotten about a big fundraising event to be held at the Biltmore Estate. The governor of North Carolina was the keynote speaker, and Tyler was hoping to get his endorsement for councilman.

“I’m having a dress sent over for you to wear.”

“You’rewhat?”

“No overalls tonight, Tessa. And I made an appointment for your hair at that blow-dry bar you like. Get an updo, okay?”

She glanced at Dawson, pretty sure he must have overheard Tyler because he had stopped laughing.

Tyler carried on. “This is huge for me, Tessa.”

“Right. I’ll be ready.”

“I have two extra tickets if you’d like to bring some friends.”

She reached over to jab Dawson in the arm and gave him a thumbs-up, as if to say,Want to come?He shook his head vigorously. She smiled. They passed anotherVote Tyler Thompson the III for City Counselbillboard.

“Um, Tyler, have you seen the billboards?”

“No. Why?”

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