But sometimes, they were enough to change everything in the most perfect and beautiful way.
Chapter 31
Chase
The barn had never looked better.
Soft golden lights strung in loose drapes from the rafters gave the whole place a warm, welcoming glow. Mason jars filled with wildflowers—larkspur, black-eyed Susans, and purple salvia—lined the tables. Sprays of goldenrod, white daisies, and sprigs of lavender were woven along the support beams. Anna had handpicked some of them from the surrounding meadows, but I’d donated extras from the greenhouses. Seeing them tucked into every corner, spilling out of wooden crates and old watering cans, made it feel like the barn itself had bloomed for the occasion.
I shifted my weight, taking it all in. She’d pulled it off. Every detail, every sparkle of light, every scent of the flowers and fresh-cut hay being used for extra seating carried her fingerprint. Pride swelled in my chest so full it almost hurt.
And then there was Anna herself.
She moved through the space with a quiet authority, her pretty blue sundress swirling around her legs and cowboy boots as she crossed the floor to check that the tables were ready forthe potluck, and to tweak a few of the silent auction items. A few loose strands of hair had fallen from the simple knot at the back of her neck, framing her face in a way that stopped me cold.
Beautiful didn’t even cover it. She was radiant. Alive. She’d finally stepped into the life she deserved, and somehow, I got to be the lucky one watching her do it.
The sound of gravel crunching under tires stirred me from my thoughts. I turned as the first car pulled up, nearly an hour early.
Beverly Seymour. Of course.
She climbed out of her spotless sedan, already frowning as she adjusted her dress and took a wary glance around.
“Beverly, nice to see you,” I greeted.
“Thank you. I thought it would be best if I stopped by to check that everything is in order.”
“I’m sure you’ll see that it is.”
Her sharp gaze swept over the barn, the decorations, the volunteers putting final touches on the tables, and Slim warming up with some incredible banjo playing. Beverly frowned, as if she hated that there was nothing to criticize.
I caught Anna’s eye inside the barn and wrinkled my nose at her, causing a quick flash of amusement before she darted into motion, crossing the space and welcoming Beverly with a polite but breezy hello.
“I’m so glad you got here early,” Anna said brightly. “I need someone dependable to stand here and collect the tickets. You’ll be the perfect person.”
Beverly’s mouth gaped. “Well, I don’t?—”
But Anna was already pressing a small basket into Beverly’s hands. “You can use this. I’ve got to go make sure Slim has everything he needs. Thank you so much for stepping in.”
She turned and scurried away, leaving Beverly to stand there like a fish on land, mouth opening and closing, before snapping shut.
I had to bite the inside of my cheek at how the tables had been turned. Beverly liked to run things, not necessarilydothem. I excused myself and hurried away to make sure she didn’t try to pawn her assignment onto me.
I spotted Bristol and Reid turning on electric candles on the bar tables, the plastic wicks imitating an actual flame but with none of the danger. Zach and Em were setting up luminaries along a pathway that we’d created from the parking area. Mac and Trey were discussing the best way to coordinate parking. Jordan carried a couple of gallons of lemonade that Anna poured into a drink dispenser. Cheyenne Fergusson had gotten a temporary permit to serve wine and beer courtesy of her family’s bar, affectionately known as Ferg’s.
Cars began to roll in. It wasn’t long before the barn buzzed with life as laughter and conversation floated through the warm summer air.
Mayor Bowen eventually took his place near the makeshift stage set up at the back of the barn. A microphone crackled to life in his hand. Perched smugly on his shoulder was Sterling, wearing a miniature red bow tie for the occasion.
“Good evening, folks,” Mayor Bowen said, holding the mic with one hand while keeping Sterling from pecking his ear with the other. “We’re here to kick off a night of food, music, dancing—and hopefully, some generous bidding at our silent auction. All proceeds go to help our community, so dig deep!”
Sterling bobbed his head. “Don’t be cheapskates!”
Laughter rippled through the barn. Sterling could always be counted on for a wisecrack.
“On behalf of the town council,” Bowen continued, “I’d like to thank Anna Washington for her efforts to put together this event. And I think we can all agree, it looks fantastic. Come on up here, Anna, please.”
The crowd erupted in applause and a few cheers. People turned to look for her, clapping as they cleared a path.
