Chapter 30
T he morning sun stretched lazily across the lake behind Whispering Pines, its golden rays spilling over the glassy water like melted butter. A soft breeze stirred the trees, sending ripples skimming across the surface that glittered like diamonds.
Alex settled deeper into her wicker chair on the back deck, a mug of coffee warming her palm and The Heart of Fate propped in her lap. She was barefoot, legs curled beneath her, utterly absorbed—until the pages were no longer what held her attention.
A red canoe glided smoothly across the lake, a tiny dot of calm in the middle of nature’s canvas. Will sat right in the center of it, notebook in hand, looking every bit the dreamy author. Lady sprawled like royalty on the bow while Fetch stood alert at the edge, tongue lolling in the breeze.
Alex blinked. “Oh, come on,” she muttered with a smile, ducking her head and sliding the book under the throw pillow beside her. “That’s just unfair.”
When she peeked up again, Will was already looking at her—grinning like he knew exactly what she’d been reading. Her face flushed, and she raised a sheepish hand in a wave.
Will chuckled, returning her wave with a teasing shake of his head, then tapped his pen twice against his notebook and went back to writing. From her deck chair, Alex couldn’t stop the grin that tugged at her lips.
But it was later that afternoon when the heart of McKenzie truly came to life.
The town square buzzed with cheerful energy beneath a banner that fluttered high above the brick-lined plaza: Founder’s Day Craft Fair.
Booths brimmed with handmade candles, jars of local jam, knit scarves, and quirky trinkets crafted with love.
Music lilted through the air—a cheerful mix of fiddles and laughter—as kids darted between stalls with sticky fingers and balloons bobbing behind them like cheerful little shadows.
Alex and Will strolled side by side, sharing a bag of caramel corn as they explored the booths.
“This is dangerously addictive,” Will said, popping another piece in his mouth.
Alex smirked. “We’ve only had it for three minutes and the bag’s half-empty.”
Will held it protectively. “That’s because someone keeps tossing it at my face like I’m a carnival game.”
“I’m testing your reflexes,” she teased, nudging him. “So far, you’re batting a solid fifty percent.”
At one booth, Alex paused. A delicate necklace with a golden charm caught the sunlight, shimmering softly against a velvet backing. She lifted it, holding it to her collarbone as she studied her reflection in the small mirror provided.
Just a few steps ahead, she stopped again—this time, in front of a bouquet of flowers so perfectly chaotic in color and arrangement it practically called her name.
Will watched her admire it with a quiet smile.
Without a word, he slipped behind her and purchased the bouquet.
When she turned back around, he offered it with a sheepish grin.
“For you,” he said simply.
Alex blinked in surprise, then beamed. “You’re going to spoil me.”
“Is it working?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Maybe a little,” she teased, hugging the bouquet close.
As they neared a booth filled with pottery, Lou’s familiar voice cut through the noise.
“Well, look who’s finally starting to blend in,” Lou said, waving Alex over.
Will gave her a gentle squeeze on the shoulder. “I’ll be right back,” he murmured, then casually circled back to the jewelry booth.
Lou leaned in as Alex joined her. “He’s a good one,” she said, eyeing Will from the corner of her eye.
“He’s becoming a great... friend ,” Alex replied, soft and certain.
Meanwhile, Will glanced over his shoulder and caught Lou’s eye. She raised her brows, then subtly shifted to block Alex’s view. With her back turned, Will handed over the cash, tucked the necklace into a small box, and slid it into his jacket pocket like a secret waiting for the perfect moment.
He returned to Alex just as Lou walked away with a satisfied smile. Alex looked up at Will, curious.
“What was that about?”
Will shrugged casually. “Just confirming Lou’s suspicions—I’m a good one.”
Alex rolled her eyes with a laugh. “You’re impossible.”
Will grinned. “I’m persistent.”
And together, they wandered on.
That night, the quiet gravel crunch of footsteps and gentle panting of happy dogs filled the cool air as Will and Alex walked Lady and Fetch beneath a sky studded with stars.
“A scavenger hunt, huh?” Will asked, glancing sideways at Alex with interest.
“The clues lead you to historic and popular spots around McKenzie,” Alex replied, looping Fetch’s leash around her wrist. “One of the stops is the old library.”
“Now you have my attention,” Will said, giving her a playful nudge.
“The building is full of artifacts. Another famous writer lived here a million years ago, and his work is on display there,” she told him.
“A million years ago, huh?” he teased.
“At least. The real mystery is that nobody knows who he is, his real name, or if he’s even still here,” she added with a little shrug.
“Henry Jackman,” Will said casually.
“Who?” Alex blinked, confused.
“That’s the famous author,” he explained.
“Oh, you’re a fan?” she asked, surprised.
“My parents brought me here for the first time as a child to see that library and his work,” he shared, the nostalgia in his voice unmistakable.
“Aww, I love that,” she murmured.
“We rented the same little cottage across from the library every visit. I’d go over there, sit outside, and write,” he said, eyes far away.
“It all started in McKenzie for Bestselling Author Wylder Hart,” Alex teased gently.
“You’ve been doing your research,” Will chuckled.
“I admit I was curious,” she said.
“It did begin here. The man who ran the library would read my work and tell me about his stories,” he continued, fondness softening his features.
“Aww, do you remember who it was?” she asked.
“Mr. H and he called me Kid. He gave me a beautiful pen. Said it was part of a set and to do great things with it. I still use it,” he said.
“I’ve seen you use it,” Alex realized.
“That was the summer before my pops passed unexpectedly,” he added quietly.
“I’m so sorry,” she said softly.
“Thanks. It was a long time ago,” Will nodded.
“Is this your first time back, then?” she asked.
“No, I would come here occasionally when my career first started taking off. I wanted to thank the man in the library, but...” he trailed off.
“No luck?” she guessed.
“Nah. I used to look for him at signings, hoping he’d heard about me and wanted to say hello,” Will admitted.
“He really had an impact on you,” Alex said, touched.
“He gave me my first review, taught me a lot about writing, and gave me the confidence to pursue it,” Will said, his voice filled with gratitude.
“That is an incredible story,” she whispered.
“Yeah, this place... just keeps drawing me back, and it does something for my soul,” he said, glancing toward the familiar silhouette of the B&B just ahead.
“That’s McKenzie,” Alex said with a knowing smile.
“Sounds like you have a story, too,” Will said, arching a brow.
“I do...” she started.
Before she could finish, the back door of the B&B flew open and Tori stepped onto the porch, frazzled and out of breath.
“There you are. We have a problem. Our replacement Grand Marshal is out. Fell off a ladder,” Tori said in a rush.
Alex turned to Will and sighed. “My story will have to wait.”