Page 55 of Meet Me on Blueberry Hill

“Everything will come together.”

“Well, I better head back to work.” He clapped a hand on Asher’s shoulder. “Give me a buzz when you’re ready to meet up.”

Hunter left them, then paused to chat with Dani and Liam, leaving Asher alone with Sadie.

He turned his attention to her, forcing himself not to linger on the way the breeze toyed with her hair and blew it into her face. “What are you up to today?”

She turned slightly, shot him a cool look, then glanced at Dani and Liam still chatting with Hunter. “Working with Dani on some details for the festival. You?”

“Ran into some roadblocks with getting more horses for the carriage tours, so I came into town to start removing the floor tile at the bakery. Hunter is going to lend a hand.”

Still holding hands with Liam, Dani hurried over to them. She dropped an arm around Sadie’s shoulders and nodded to Asher.

Liam stuck out his free hand and Asher shook it. “Hey, guys. We’re heading to the beach for a fire this evening with Mia, Cody, Lily, and Declan. You should join us.”

Eyeing him, Sadie lifted a shoulder, then dropped it. “I don’t know…”

Dani released Liam and grabbed Sadie’s arm. “Come on. We’ve all been working so hard and need some downtime.”

Sadie bit her lip and glanced at him before turning her attention to Dani. “I have to check on Gran. She may need me.”

“Maybe you can get Doris and Annabelle to stay with her. You really do need a break, Sade.” Dani turned to him. “What about you, Asher? You in?”

His gaze flickered to Sadie. Something unreadable crossed her face. Was she wanting him to join their group? He really did owe her an explanation for ditching her last night.

But he wasn’t about to go into everything there in the park, especially not with an audience. Or should he make some excuse and bow out?

Then he thought back to his conversation with Corbin and his decision to show he could be trusted. Couldn’t do that if they weren’t together. He found himself nodding. “Yeah, sure.Sounds great.” He glanced at Sadie. “How about I pick you up, and we can walk to the beach together?”

Something sparked in Sadie’s eyes, and she nodded. “Text when you leave the ranch, and I’ll be ready.”

Dani clapped her hands. “Great! We’ll see you guys later.” Then Liam slid an arm around Dani’s shoulders and steered her toward Main, leaving Sadie and Asher alone.

Sadie shifted from foot to foot and wrapped an arm across her waist. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

Asher took a step toward her and lifted her chin. “And miss out on spending time with the prettiest girl on the island? No way.”

“Really? You had a chance to spend time with me last night, and you ditched me.” Her cheeks turned pink, and she lowered her gaze, which forced him to drop his hand.

“I know. And I’m sorry.”

Sadie pocketed her phone and folded her arms over her chest. “Did I do something wrong? Say something that upset you?”

Surveying the park, Asher dragged a hand over his face. This was not the place…

“No, you did nothing wrong.”

“What happened? I thought we were having a good time, but then I shared about my sister and you bolted.”

“All I can say right now is I’m sorry for the way I left you in the barn last night. Trust me when I say it wasn’t you.”

Her jaw tightened. “And the elusive Asher Quinn continues his quest of not divulging anything personal.”

He slung an arm around her shoulders. “Believe me, Sadie, there’s nothing special about me. I could share all of my secrets, and you’ll be wondering why you even bothered trying to get me to open up.”

“Whatever.” Sadie stared over his shoulder, then looked back at him. “I’m heading back to Gran’s. Want to walk with me? Or do you have other things to do in town?”

Hunter was waiting for him, but Asher would walk Sadie home, then backtrack. He reached for his phone and shot Hunter a quick text that he’d be a little later than expected, then he pivoted back toward Blueberry Boulevard that led the way to the ranch and Hetty’s cottage.

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