Page 10 of Meet Me on Blueberry Hill

“Spoken like someone in love. And engaged.” Sadie snatched one of the outdoor throw pillows. Water dripped from the corner. She tossed it near the back door to the kitchen so she could wash it. “Seriously though. I just can’t take it again. I thought Garrett was the one. We were together for over a year. A year of me being duped by his lies.”

“Dani’s right—he’s a jerk.” Lily fisted her hands on her hips. “I never cared for him anyway. Forget him. It’s been six months since you guys broke up. It’s time to move on. He’s not worth your emotional energy.”

“He’s the reason why marketing is a bit tainted for me right now.”

Dani stopped sweeping and leaned on the broom. “And here I am asking for your help. I’m sorry. Please forget I asked. I’ll figure out something else.”

Sadie grabbed her arm. “No, it’s okay. Working with you is going to be much different. Besides it’s only short-term. Once the festival is over, I can go back to reinventing myself.”

“Why mess with perfection? There’s nothing wrong with you, Sadie. You just need the right guy to prove it to you.” The kindness in Lily’s eyes warmed the hollow in Sadie’s heart.

“I don’t need any guy. Especially not a grump who can’t say more than two syllables.”

“And now we’re back to Asher. Interesting.” Dani crossed her arms over her chest and shot Sadie a sly smile. “I think you like the guy more than you’re letting on.”

“And I think you’re becoming annoying.”

Dani laughed, apparently not taking offense to Sadie’s words. “And with that, I’ll head to the Grand for my meeting. If I can find time, I’ll call Asher and ask for his help…for real this time. Unless you want to do it.”

Sadie folded her arms over her chest and eyed her friends standing shoulder to shoulder. Their solidarity put her as the odd person out. She released a sigh as she shot Dani a mock glare. “Yep, definitely annoying. If it gets you to drop it, then I’ll ask him. But be prepared for him to say no.”

“What if he says yes? Then what will you do?” Lily waggled her eyebrows.

Sadie lifted a shoulder. “Nothing? If he agrees, it will be to work on the stage. That has nothing to do with me.”

Lily shot her a sly smile. “Maybe so, but if he’s a part of the festival, your paths may cross more often.”

Sadie looped an arm through Lily’s. “Lil, I love you, but don’t start playing matchmaker.”

As Lily and Dani headed toward Sugar Maple Lane that ran in front of Gran’s cottage and would take them downtown, Sadie waved goodbye and shook her head over Lily’s ridiculousness.

Sadie was perfectly content to care for Gran and help her friends. That was it. She didn’t return to Jonathon Island to fall in love. She didn’t have room in her life for a man, especially someone like grumpy Asher Quinn.

Asher rarely had visitors at the ranch. Now Sadie Hudson made a second appearance in the same day.

He shut off the chain saw and set it on the ground next to the downed tree. “Ms. Hudson, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

She stood several feet from him and clasped her hands in front of her. “Ms. Hudson? A little formal isn’t it?”

“With the way you barked orders earlier, I felt like it was a little fitting.”

Her face reddened. “Yeah, sorry about that. I’m not usually so bossy.”

Her eyes drifted to his bare chest, then she looked away, her face turning almost crimson.

He grabbed his T-shirt slung over the split-rail fence and tugged it back over his head. No need to invite any more distaste over the scars that lined the left side of his neck, shoulder, and back.

Dog-tired from not sleeping well, he squeezed his gritty eyes shut for a moment, then looked at her again. “How can I help you?”

“Gran would like to invite you over for lunch.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder toward the white cottage.

His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten yet. But as much as he enjoyed lunch with Hetty, he found himself shaking his head. “Can’t today. Too much to do. But tell her thanks for the invite.”

She nodded but didn’t move.

He reached for the chain saw and restarted it. Maybe she’d take the hint and walk away. But she remained in the same spot as if rooted in the ground. Swallowing a sigh, he turned off the chain saw and set it back on the ground. “Was there something else you needed?”

She removed her sunglasses and twirled them in her fingers. “There’s a festival coming up toward the end of September. A summer send-off, if you will. Food vendors. Talent show. A concert in the park. I met with Lily Hart and Dani Sullivan this morning, and Dani asked if you’d help.”

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