Page 30 of Knot in Bloom
Every person who’s ever chosen to build their life here instead of moving to a bigger city with more opportunities.
All of it potentially riding on my ability to create something spectacular enough for state tourism campaigns and national magazine features.
“I need some time to think about this,” I say, though we both know the decision was probably made the moment she explained what was at stake.
“Of course. But Sadie?” Her voice is gentle but urgent. “We need your answer by tomorrow morning. The tourism representative arrives next week for the preliminary assessment.”
I walk back to my shop feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck, my mind spinning through logistics and possibilities and the overwhelming scope of what I’ve just been asked to undertake.
This morning started with waking up slick and desperate from memories of Levi’s mouth on mine, then navigating the territorial dance of two alphas in my space.
Now I’m facing the most important professional challenge of my life, with my entire community’s economic future potentially hanging in the balance.
As I flip my sign to “Open” and try to process everything that just happened, one thing becomes crystal clear.
If I’m going to take this on, I’m going to need more help than I’ve ever been willing to ask for.
And for the first time in three years of stubbornly proving my independence, that doesn’t terrify me.
It feels like maybe I’m finally ready to trust that the people who care about me—especially the alphas who seem determined to take care of me—might actually want to help me build something bigger than any of us could manage alone.
Chapter 10
Caleb
Wednesday afternoon and Dean’s kitchen smells like coffee and whatever Lila’s been baking. She’s got baby clothes spread across half the table, sorting tiny yellow outfits while Julian does his bookkeeping at the other end. At eighteen weeks pregnant, she’s practically glowing.
“Coffee’s ready,” Dean says, bringing me a mug. “You look like hell, by the way.”
“Thanks. Your bedside manner hasn’t improved since we were kids.”
“Neither has your ability to sleep when something’s bothering you.” He settles across from me. “Want to talk about it?”
I watch Julian organize receipts like he’s conducting surgery. Everything in neat piles, labeled and categorized. Makes sense—guy’s an accountant.
“Civilian life kicking your ass?” Dean asks when I don’t answer.
“Something like that.” I take a sip of coffee. How do I explain that I’ve been lying awake thinking about a florist who used to follow us around when she was ten?
“Oh,” Lila says without looking up from tiny overalls. “This is about Sadie.”
Heat crawls up my neck. “What makes you say that?”
“Because you get that same expression Callum used to get before he finally worked up the nerve to really talk to me.” She grins at Callum. “Overthinking everything and driving yourself crazy.”
“I was mysterious and brooding,” Callum protests. “Very attractive.”
“You were a mess,” she corrects. “Just like Caleb is now.”
Julian glances up from his spreadsheets. “Also, you fixed her roof and then disappeared for three days. Classic avoidance.”
“I didn’t disappear. I texted.”
“Once,” Dean points out. “About construction updates. Very romantic.”
I set my mug down harder than necessary. “Look, I don’t know how to do this civilian thing yet. Back in the service, everything had protocols. Clear objectives.”
“And now?” Lila asks.
