The main street was lined with all family-owned businesses. We had a couple of small boutique shops, one coffee shop, a diner, and a bookstore. There was a small police station and library on the next street over, and a really good hoagie and pizza place on the way out of town, but that was it. That was Rose Valley. It was a little sleepy town surrounded by mountains, where everyone knew everyone and their business. And I loved it.
For fun we had Rose Valley Lake, yes it was named after the town. In the winter when it was frozen over they had ice skating and hot chocolate. In the summer you could fish and boat. Every year the town put on theannual Fall Festival where everyone from the town, and surrounding towns, could set up a table and sell handmade items. The local high school band always played and kids who formed their own garage bands could sign up to play.
I loved that you could jump in your car and drive for hours through the mountains, surrounded only by peacefulness and the sweet scent of honeysuckle. You fell asleep to the crickets and awoke to the sound of farm animals. It was great and something I missed being away at school for four years. So after I graduated college I knew I wanted to come back to Rose Valley. It was never a question.
But I didn’t think at 26 I’d also be back in the house I’d grown up in. A place that held both the best and worst memories of my past. And a certain person’s absence that haunted a lot of my memories of this town.
At 26, I think I built a pretty good life for myself. I was proud of everything I’ve accomplished so far. After graduating college with my degree in Marketing and Business, and a minor in Graphic Design, even though I’d had a few excellent job offers in different states, I knew what I wanted. I wanted to help my family and our family’s business.
My family has owned and operated this farm for generations. From our sweet corn in the summer to our pears and apples in the Fall, the Carter farm and orchard is known all over as one of the best for produce in the area. In addition to the produce, we also raise horses, cows, and other animals. We offer fresh milk and eggs to local businesses and we have a small store stand that carries all the in-season produce.
My education and everything I’ve learned has proven invaluable. Before I returned home, my parents solely relied on word of mouth to advertise. But since returning home I’ve created a website, in addition I manage the social media, and I’m in charge of creating the displays forthe produce stand and events we participate in.
One of the best things about what I do is that it gives me the flexibility to work from home. But nothing seemed to fill the emptiness that Colton had left behind.
I tried the whole dating thing over the years. I tried to force myself to go out and meet new people. But I couldn’t allow myself to let anyone in. I had built walls around my heart that were like electric, barbed fenced and no one was getting in to hurt me again. The anger and resentment I felt towards one man is why I wouldn’t allow myself to trust again.
“Earth to Ember,” I heard my mom say, the smell of her blueberry pancakes pulling me from my thoughts. “You’ve been staring into space for five minutes. Your pancakes are getting cold.”
I forced a smile, shaking off the lingering thoughts. “Sorry. Just thinking about some new marketing ideas,” I mumbled, avoiding her gaze. My heart was doing a frantic little flutter, completely unrelated to anything that had to do with the farm.
Mom gave me a knowing look, her brow furrowed with concern. “You seem a little off today, Ember. Is everything alright?”
I always had a close relationship with my mom. I could tell her anything, and she never judged me. But I didn’t want to tell her what’s been on my mind lately. I couldn’t admit that lately my thoughts were consumed by the past, by the man who had shattered my heart, the same man who was now coming home. The news had hit me like a physical blow yesterday, leaving me feeling a mix of dread and also with a flicker of anticipation.
Forcing a smile, I replied, “Everything’s fine, Mom. Just a lot going on with the farm stand.”
She didn’t press, but I could see the worry in her eyes and the look on her face that told me she didn’t believe me. Luckily, I was saved from further questions when my oldest brother Garrett wandered in from outside.
At 32, Garrett also lived and worked at home, only he had one of those tiny homes on the back of the property. Garrett had slowly taken over the majority of the operations around here since our dad’s gotten older. He’s still single, and honestly I don’t see that changing.
“Mmm, pancakes. My favorite.” Garrett said, his voice rough from a morning spent outdoors. He gave me a quick once-over, his brow furrowing. “You alright, Em?”
“Yes. Just thinking about the upcoming summer season. New marketing ideas, that kind of thing.”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Really? And what new marketing ideas make you look like that?”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I just have a lot on my mind, Garrett. It’s nothing.”
Garrett leaned against the counter, his gaze sharp. “Heard Colton’s coming back.”
I could feel his and my mom’s eyes on me as my breath hitched. Just hearing his name had my back straightening. I had to take a deep breath to avoid snapping at my brother.
“Oh really? I haven’t heard,” I lied while trying to make my voice sound convincing like I didn’t care or haven’t thought about it. But the truth was, the news of his return had me feeling jumpy all day yesterday, and that feeling was still here today.
“Heard he’ll be staying with his parents for a while,” Garrett continued, his eyes never leaving mine.
“That’s nice,” I said, my voice tight. “I’m sure his parents are happy to have him back.”
“And how ‘bout you, Em? How do you feel about seeing him after all this time?”
The thought sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t that I hadn’tthoughtabout him coming back; it was that I had stubbornly refused to confront the reality of an actual encounter. I’d lived in a bubble of denial, clinging to the flimsy hope that I might somehow avoid him, despite knowing he’d be right here in Rose Valley. The idea of running into him, of having to look him in the eye, felt like a punch to the gut I was desperately trying to brace myself for.
“I don’t care,” I lied. “If I see him on the street I’ll simply keep walking like I don’t know him. It shouldn’t be too hard anyways because as far as I’m concerned I don’t know him any longer.”
Garrett studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Well, you should probably start trying to be more convincing when you say that. Because sooner or later, you’re going to run into him.”
Before I could say anything, Mom placed a plate of pancakes in front of Garrett, effectively cutting off the conversation. “Garrett, your pancakes are getting cold. And you have fields to plow, and things to do outside,” she said, emphasizing the word outside, shooing him towards the back door. “Go on now.”
