Page 38 of Lovewell Lane

She laughed at my awkwardness. “I see how you would think that. It looks just the same as it did about twenty years ago. I’ve heard about all the work you’re putting in next door.”

“Oh? You’re more than welcome to come visit anytime.”

“I’ll take you up on that,” she said. Her genuine smile warmed my soul.

“Is it true? You started this town?” I asked.

“That was a long time ago,” she answered humbly.

“You must love it. To stay in business.”

“I love this town and its people more than life itself. The mayor is doing good work by bringing people like you into it. It breathesa new life into the place.” The chain on her glasses swayed as she hobbled around the counter.

“I’m honored. I love this town, too. It’s my first time living in a place so small, but it has exceeded all my expectations.”

And it was true. In most places I’d lived, I got lost in big cities of people. I never had any issue making friends, but they were temporary friends. People I’d reach out to when I was in a certain country, or looking to go skydiving. There needed to be a reason to talk or see each other.

In a place like Honeyfield, the people were the reason. There was no need to go to some fancy restaurant to see friends or plan an intense backpacking trip. The setting was an afterthought, and while I always thought I’d get bored in a town with nothing to do, I found myself interested in the people more than I’d ever been interested in any tourist attraction.

It was less lonely, even though I knew fewer people, and only had one real friend in Lila. The Weston family dinner was my first peek into what it could be like to have a close-knit community. My only lasting friendship throughout my life was with Scarlet, and I thought that was a freak incident. We were just two people that magically found something we recognized in each other. But what could it be like to have more people like that? A community of people that knew who you were, and checked in just to make sure you were doing well.

Derek, the grumpiest man in the world, had gone out of his way to help me at every opportunity. I couldn’t help but think that had something to do with growing up in a small town. Like he said his mom did, he helped his neighbors. I’d like to do that too.

“Small towns make the world go round,” said Amelia.

I was beginning to think she was right.

12

Derek

Throwing parties was not what I signed up for when I took over Weston Farms. Then again, I never really signed up for it in the first place, but needless to say, it was my least favorite job. When Calli was still living with us, I handed most of it over to her and her friends since they all loved parties, but for the last few years of her being in college, I was on my own.

It was seven in the damn morning, and I was holding streamers and bouquets of flowers. A knock on my door nearly went unnoticed through my pacing, and Tessa’s yapping about how excited she was. But I had a sixth sense when it came to Margo and turned just in time to see her waving through my back window.

I walked over and yanked open the door. Cheddar Jack lazily strolled outside into the crisp morning air. “Need something?”

Margo rubbed her eyes a little and laughed. “No, but it looks like you do.”

I stepped away from the door to continue packing the things we needed. Scissors. Tape. Cups. Plates. Where the hell did that plastic silverware go? Tessa had on her ‘fanciest dress’ and wouldn’t stop twirling.

“I can help,” Margo said. She put a hand on my shoulder, and it slipped off as I stood up straight from where I was crouched.

“We need silverware.”

“Got it.” She strolled over to the other side of the kitchen where the box was clearly just sitting on the counter.

“Thanks,” I grumbled.

“Wow, you are really stressed,” Margo said with a hint of amusement in her voice. “Are we setting up camp in the backyard?”

“No. At the barn.”

“Is it okay if I tag along to set up?”

“Yes!” Tessa cheered.

“Do whatever you want.” I didn’t have time to think about it. Dozens of people were going to be camping out on my property in a few hours. Who cared if Margo joined a little early?

---