The room burst into conversation, with everyone talking at once.

Sariah left the building with a heavy heart. Was this mall really going to be built? They’d worked so hard to gather enough people to stand with them. But apparently it wasn’t enough.

“I can’t believe there weren’t more people on our side,” Sariah said to Kane as they walked out into the parking lot.

“We even announced it at the funeral,” Mrs. Edwards said. “I thought for sure that would have been enough to get us to win.”

“I guess we just need to get used to Maple Creek losing that small town feel,” Sariah said, shaking her head.

“There might still be something we can do to put a stop to it,” Kane said.

“What do you mean?” Sariah asked, stopping to look at him.

“Leave it to me. I’m going to make some phone calls. I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do what I can.”

That brought a little more hope, but she didn’t know what Kane was planning, so who knew how well his idea might work?

She felt a pang of sadness, knowing that he was going to say goodbye for the night and she would have to wait another day to see him. What was wrong with her? He was about to go back to New York, and then she wouldn’t see him again until who knows when. She had to start controlling her thoughts and get it out of her head that she wanted to be with Kane. Even if that was all she could think about lately.

Sariah didn’t seeKane again until after work on Thursday. They met up at his grandma’s house to go to the bluegrass festival. It was being held in the park just off Main Street. She’d been seeing people setting up for it from her shop windows all day. Thursday was the first night of the festival, and it was running through the weekend. Their area was known for its rich history of bluegrass music.

She pulled into her grandmother’s driveway. She figured she would leave her car there and then walk next door to Mrs. Edward’s house. Kane came out of the front door as she walked across the strip of lawn between the two houses.

She waved to him, and the front door opened again as his grandma came outside. She had on a burnt orange shirt and a black sweater. Her own grandma’s garage door opened, and Lois stepped outside.

“You look nice, Sariah.” Sariah looked down at her pink and burgundy floral blouse and skinny jeans.

“Thanks. I just bought this shirt, and I haven’t had a chance to wear it yet.” Sariah liked the way it clung to her curves in a flattering way. She’d purchased it online, and it was always a gamble when she wasn’t able to try on the shirt first.

Kane walked up to her, and she looked up at him. “You do look nice,” he said in a low voice. He looked nice in a casual black t-shirt that hugged his muscular body and jeans. If Sariah didn’t know better, she’d think he was just a regular guy.

“Thank you.”

“Sariah, you need to go shopping more often.” Her grandma laughed. “You certainly have Kane’s approval.”

Sariah refrained from rolling her eyes. “I’m glad we can keep you entertained, Grandma.”

“Are we ready to go?” Mrs. Edwards asked.

“Yep,” Sariah said. “Who’s driving?”

“I can drive the minivan,” her grandma offered.

“Uh, Lois, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Mrs. Edwards said. “She’s not exactly the safest driver.” She whispered it but wasn’t quiet enough to keep her friend from hearing her.

“I’m a perfectly safe driver!” her grandmother insisted.

“What about the time you hit my mailbox?”

“That was ten years ago,” she protested. “I haven’t hit anything in years.”

“Just because you’ve gotten lucky doesn’t mean you don’t drive recklessly,” Mrs. Edwards insisted.

“She almost got into a wreck the last time she drove me somewhere,” Sariah said. There was definitely some truth to what Mrs. Edwards was saying.

“But we didn’t. And that wasn’t my fault. That guy slammed on his breaks out of nowhere.”

“You were driving way too close to him,” Sariah pointed out.