Page 45 of Small Town Sash

"Got a plan, Romeo?" Jeff asked, leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table.

"Step one: grand gesture." Braden nodded to himself more than to the coaches.

"Classic," Hunter approved, a warm grin lighting up his face. "But what's the gesture?"

"Something...not pageantry," Braden muttered, rubbing the stubble on his chin thoughtfully.

"Like a rescue operation?" Danny suggested with a chuckle. "Swoop in with Dash and save her from a burning building?"

"Too much," Braden murmured, only half-joking. "And I'm not keen on starting a fire for that plan."

"True that," Jeff said with a nod.

"Okay, okay, so we all agree it has to be less dramatic than that," Braden conceded, a smile finally breaking through his earlier gloom. "I'm thinking something personal. Something that says 'I know you.'"

"Like?" prodded Danny, clearly enjoying the brainstorming session.

"Like..." Braden paused, an idea sparking to life. "A scavenger hunt. She loves puzzles, right? And each clue will lead her to places that mean something to us, that show her I've been paying attention."

"Smart," Danny nodded in approval. "And for the final clue?"

"Me," Braden said, a new confidence surging through him. "Waiting with Dash at the place we first met. The Coffee Loft."

"Symbolic," Jeff mused, his expression showing a rare hint of approval, most likely because he was dating the owner of the place.

"She's going to love it," Danny added with a sage nod.

"Ridiculously cheesy, but I think it will work," Braden admitted, but his grin was now broad and unapologetic. "But that's the point, isn't it?"

"Absolutely," Danny agreed, raising his empty glass as though toasting Braden's impending success.

"Go get her, Harding," Hunter said, clapping Braden on the back.

"Consider this battlefront stormed," Braden cheered, turning to leave The Rusty Hinge with a purposeful stride. His heart wasn't just on his sleeve; it was leading the charge.

"You got this," Danny called out as Braden disappeared into the dim-lit street.

Braden strode through the darkened streets of the small town, a sense of determination in his step. He couldn't believe he had almost given up on Hadley, but now he was more determined than ever to win her back.

As he approached the bed and breakfast, Braden's mind raced with ideas for the scavenger hunt. He wanted each clue to be meaningful and personal, showing her how much he knewand cared about her as well as remembering the places that pay homage to their time together.

With a determined swipe of his hand, Braden pushed open the heavy wooden door to the B&B. The familiar scent of chocolate chip cookies baking wafted over him.

"Hi, Braden," Jenesa called out from behind the counter as Braden entered. She looked up from where she was stacking freshly baked cookies onto a tray and smiled at him.

"Hey," Braden greeted her with a smile of his own. "Can I get your help with something?"

"Sure," Jenesa said, wiping her hands on a dish towel before making her way over to him. "What's up?"

"I...uh...I have a plan to win back Hadley, and I thought you'd be good at putting it together with me," Braden started, feeling a bit nervous. He wasn't used to asking for help.

"Sure. Why don't you tell me about this plan of yours, and I'll see what I can do," Jenesa said evenly, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

As Braden began to lay out his grand idea, Jenesa listened with a thoughtful expression. "I think it's a splendid idea, Braden." Jenesa's eyes brightened with inspiration. "I've got some great ideas for clues and a couple of more places you might want to add."

In the following hours, Braden and Jenesa plotted and planned into the night. They scribbled on napkins, debated over riddles, and chuckled over memories. With every second that passed, Braden felt more hopeful. His anxiety simmered down, and it was replaced by an electrifying anticipation. Winning Hadley back was within his reach.

Toward midnight, they finalized their plan.

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