“Brilliant. I think that could work. Hey, who was that woman you were talking to outside a few minutes ago? I don’t think I’ve seen her around here before.”
“Her name’s Holly. She’s here for the fall festival and staying at the house.”
“Seemed like there might have been a little spark between you two or something, but maybe I’m overstepping.” Luis gave a boyish grin, and for a second, Ash pictured his friend in high school, teasing him over a crush.
“As far as I know, she’s just passing through, Lu,” Ash said, a little disappointed at the thought. Her forest-green eyes popped into his mind unexpectedly. They always seemed to be searching for something he couldn’t see.What is she looking for here in Emerald Hollow?His phone buzzed again.
“Got it. Well, thanks for stopping by. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help this weekend.”
“You still up for overseeing the potato-sack race?”
“Sure.”
“Then that’s already a huge help. See you later.”
They slapped hands in a casual shake, and Ash left the building, his thoughts suddenly focused less on the vineyard deal than on Luis’s comments about Holly.
He didn’t want to admit it, but he’d felt the spark Luis was talking about and not just when they’d bumped into each other. Since the moment they’d met, there’d been an insistent tug of an unseen string linking them, though he was sure he was the only one who felt it.
Ash had never met anyone like Holly, and he was startled by his reaction to her. His ease with words, which never seemed to fail him, were doing just that since she’d arrived. He was tongue-tied when she was around. But as much as he was drawn to her, he couldn’t afford a distraction from someone who was just passing through.
He had worked long and hard to build up his business and the town, and he was on the edge of taking things to the next level. The town would become one where people wanted to stay forever, not the type of place young people dreamed of escaping from.
Shaking his head, he tried to refocus on the reason he had visited Luis in the first place. He had work to do.
ChapterEleven
“Oh yeah, I’ve known Asher Hayes since we were in elementary school. We go way back,” Sofia said, settling onto a barstool.
She and Holly had met in the lobby promptly at seven, and many townspeople and guests of the Emerald House had already filled the small café. A local bluegrass band was warming up on a small stage, and Sofia had guided Holly to seats in the window.
When Holly had asked about Ash, Sofia seemed eager to share. She wasn’t sure whether that was Sofia’s natural inclination, or her magic was at work, helping her discover the mysterious source of Cheer at play in Emerald Hollow.
Holly took a seat on the barstool next to Sofia. “It seems like he’s very involved in town.”
“Ash practically runs the place.” Sofia leaned in a little closer. Her guitar earrings, which appeared to be hand-painted, jangled as she moved. “His mom took off when we were kids, and since then, Ash’s been a bit of a people pleaser. Well, more than a bit.” Sofia laughed, rolling her eyes.
“Do you think he believes that if he pleases people, they won’t leave him?” Holly asked.
Sofia seemed surprised by Holly’s directness, but her face quickly relaxed. “Well, yes. I think that’s probably right. That’s what a psychologist would say, I guess. What did you say you did for a living?”
“I’m in market research. It’s part of my job to read trends.”
“Well, I think you’ve read Ash right. But it seems like he enjoys himself too. I’ve never seen a more born extrovert. Well, besides me. Maybe that’s why we get along so well.”
The band began to play a jaunty tune, contributing to the cozy atmosphere in the café. A couple sitting near Holly and Sofia stood up and began to dance. Holly’s watch vibrated.
“Speak of the devil,” Sofia said.
Following her gaze, Holly spotted Ash walking in, a full box in his arms. It must not have been very heavy, because he didn’t seem to strain under the weight. He passed the café and reception desk, heading down the hall.
“He must be taking those to the storage room. I should see if he needs help,” Sofia said, though she was tapping her hand on her knee to the music.
“I’ll go,” Holly said before she could think about it.
“You’re an angel. Come grab me if the two of you need another hand.”
Holly rose from her barstool. “Thanks for inviting me tonight, Sofia. You’re right. This band is great.”
