Page 34 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

Walker cuts her a stern look, then turns toward me and Vovo. “I’m sorry, our cow”—he pauses like the words hurt him—“escaped.”

Tally takes the leash from Walker before she moves toward me and hooks it onto Daisy’s collar.

“We were practicing some tricks for the farmers market,” she explains. “But I don’t think Daisy liked Walker’s tone.”

“My tone?” Walker huffs. “Ah, hell, Wildflower, the cow doesn’t want me to toss the hat onto her head.”

I chuckle. That explains the hat.

Tally’s eyes light up at the sound of my laughter. “See, it’s a good idea, right?”

I shrug apologetically at Walker. “I’d pay to see it.”

He runs a palm over his face, shaking his head in defeat.

“Just keep him out of my flowers,” Vovo warns.

Walker nods. “My apologies.”

I flash him a grin and then the three of them disappear back up the hill.

“Cows for pets, estúpida,” Vovo mumbles as I hold out my arm to guide her back inside. She perks up the moment we enter the kitchen, motioning to the stack of boxes on the counter. “Would you be able to drop those cookies off at the town hall after dinner?”

“That’s a lot of cookies.”

“Your father was supposed to take them to the meeting, but he isn’t feeling well…”

My father seemed completely fine this morning but I haven’t seen him since he got back.

I eye Vovo. I have a feeling my grandmother might be trying to set me up.

First she sent me upstairs yesterday when she knew Penny was changing. Then she forced me to the bookstore with the pastéis last night. And today she disappeared when she knew Penny was coming by with flowers. It all feels a little too convenient.

Especially because I saw plenty of chicken in the fridge earlier, and I’m pretty sure she didn’t come home with more, either.

But since her meddling has resulted in me seeing more of Penny, I don’t call her on her machinations.

***

It takes some serious skill to balance Vovo’s hundreds of cookies as I walk up the steps of the town hall. I haven’t been inside this building in a long time, though not much has changed over the past ten years.

The two-story building sits at the end of Maple Lane, right in the center of town. Lining the walkway to the brick building are several trees that, in a few short weeks, will change to the most beautiful reds and yellows. Somehow even the trees remind me of Penny. It seems everything in Hope Harbor does.

“Need some help?” I hear a voice ask from behind. I glance over my shoulder and spot Eli rushing to hold out a hand.

“Hey, thanks. I was given strict instructions to give these straight to Rayna, though.”

“I don’t want to screw with that.” He chuckles. “But let me get the door at least.”

Eli rushes ahead and since I can barely see around the boxes I let him guide me toward Rayna.

“Oh good!” she says, grabbing the treats from my grasp. “I was nervous your father wasn’t going to show up. Where is he?”

“He wasn’t feeling well.”

“But what about the Maple Festival?” she practically cries.

“Vovo told me to tell you I’m here in my father’s place.” I force a smile. “So anything you need, I’m your man.”