Page 91 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore
“Maybe we could host something with the brewery after the pumpkin picking.” Rosie beams. “We could call it Books and Brews?”
“Ah, I love that idea,” Billie squeals. “I could handle the event setup if you’re serious about it?”
“We could do a dessert cocktail hour,” Tally suggests. “All fall themed.”
“It’s only two weeks away.” Tears prick my eyes at their enthusiasm. “You’d all seriously help?”
“Of course we would.” My sister rushes toward me and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “It would be amazing.”
“Oh God, I love you girls,” I mutter, hugging her.
“Remember that when Babs gets here tonight,” Rosie cuts in. “Because it is my mission to get them to help me put a hex on the mayor.”
I cough out a laugh as Billie smacks her hand to her forehead. “Rosie! You’re going to get the brewery shut down!”
Rosie rolls her eyes. “He wishes.”
“Speaking of available men,” Tally says with a gleam in her eye. “Did you guys see the Oakley brothers the other day? I forgot how hot Rowan Oakley is.”
“Are you sure you don’t just like the idea of his handcuffs?” Rosie teases my sister.
“I’m a happily taken woman,” Tally says, glancing at Billie. “But my boyfriend’s sister…”
“Oh no. I’m not—nope.” Billie shakes her head. “I wouldn’t have any idea what to do with someone and handcuffs.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Rosie says decisively. “Rowan is the marrying type. Our Billie needs a fling.”
“Oh no, I’m good,” Billie says meekly. “Quinn keeps me plenty busy.”
“And Quinn would be fine spending the night with his favorite uncle and me.” Tally softens. “You’re allowed to date, Billie.”
“Could you imagine my brother’s reaction if he found out he was watching Quinn so I could go have a one-night stand?”
“Who said anything about sex!” Tally squeals.
“Sex is exactly what she needs.” Rosie rolls her eyes. “Dirty, spank me, Daddy sex. But like I said, Rowan is a relationship guy. She needs someone like Eli Davis. You know, someone to welcome her back into the saddle.”
Billie laughs. “I’m not calling anyone Daddy.”
“It’s strange that’s where your fantasy goes,” I say to Rosie. “Considering the only Daddy I can think of is a certain mayor you claim to hate.”
Rosie fakes a gag and the rest of us laugh, interrupted only by the bell jangling, announcing the Liberty Ladies’ arrival. I spot my mother among the group and wave her over to join us.
When I woke up on Sunday morning at the farm, she had a spread of pancakes ready and waiting. Tally and Walker joined us for breakfast outside at the picnic table. The fresh fall air and the sounds of my family talking over one another, laughing and eating until we were so full we could barely move, was exactly what I needed.
We spent the rest of the morning working on the maze, dragging bales of hay into a weird shape Tally swore would look like a carved pumpkin from the sky. Who the hell is ever going to test out that theory? Not a single Hope Harbor resident. But Tally will know, and I guess that’s good enough for Walker.
“So what did everyone bring?” Babs asks once everyone is settled around the candle-making table.
“I brought the napkin Fletcher used this week at the brewery,” Rosie says.
Rayna’s head whips sideways. “Are you trying to date the mayor?”
Rosie’s sarcastic laugh quiets the entire room. She’s struggling to breathe as she grabs Rayna’s arm. “Oh, don’t say funny things like that!” she wheezes out. “I can’t breathe!”
She’s still laughing when Tally holds up a piece of paper. “I brought my acceptance letter from the New England Culinary Institute.” My sister blows out a breath. “I am trying to accept that I don’t need a degree to do great things.”
I flash Tally the biggest smile. For so long she was convinced that she wasn’t good enough, that she needed that degree to open a bakery, and that she couldn’t come home until she had it. I had no idea that’s how she felt until this past spring, but with a little help from Walker, a few honest conversations, and a viral cake, she realized that she didn’t have to keep waiting to start her life.
