CHAPTER 19
C hurch has just let out and the Spring Fling is in full swing. I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, scanning the crowded room while trying to keep my breathing steady. The Pine Grove Spring Fling is held at the community center—The Grand Oak Room—and it’s buzzing with excitement. Children dart between attendees, couples sway to the music, and laughter bounces off the walls. The event is even bigger than I expected, bursting with life and warmth. But inside, I feel like I’m unraveling.
“Mommy, is Tommy here yet?” Sophie tugs at my sleeve, her flower crown slightly askew on her blonde curls.
“Not yet, sweetie. But I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” I straighten her crown and turn back to our booth, where dozens of handmade flower crowns create a rainbow of colors against the white tablecloth.
Sophie bounces on her toes. “I made his special. With the blue flowers ‘cause that’s his favorite color.”
“It’s beautiful,” I assure her, though my attention splits between arranging crowns, watching Sophie, and trying not to look for Gavin too obviously.
The crown I made for him sits apart from the others, woven with sprigs of lavender and small white blooms. It’s ridiculous, a grown man wearing flowers in his hair, but when Sophie insisted we make one for him because he asked last night at dinner, I couldn’t help myself.
A prickle runs up my spine. That feeling again—like someone’s watching me. I scan the room, searching for the source, my heart skipping erratically.
Is it Matt? Has he found us? The thought sends ice through my veins.
No. I’m being paranoid. There’s no way he could know we’re here.
“Mommy, can I put glitter on Tommy’s crown too?” Sophie’s voice pulls me back.
I force a smile. “Of course, honey. Just a little though, okay?” I hand her the small container of eco-friendly glitter Mary Beth gave us for the event.
Focus, Bailey. I arrange the flower crowns by size, my fingers trembling slightly. I take a deep breath, counting to four as I inhale, hold for seven, exhale for eight, just like I was taught.
An older woman approaches our booth, admiring our handiwork. “These are just darling! Did you make all these yourself?”
“My daughter and I did,” I say, grateful for the distraction. “Would you like to try one on?”
As I help the woman select a crown of pink daisies, I feel that sensation again. Eyes boring into me. I glance around casually, but see nothing suspicious among the families enjoying the spring celebration.
“Look, Mommy! I made it extra sparkly!” Sophie holds up Tommy’s crown, now dusted with blue glitter that will undoubtedly end up everywhere.
“It’s perfect, sweetie.” I ruffle her hair, anchoring myself in her joy.
Mary Beth bustles around us, passing out flyers for the shop to festival-goers. “Remember folks, come see our beautiful selection of flowers and plants! Bring in the flyer and receive ten percent off your purchase!” Her enthusiasm is contagious, and people seem genuinely interested in the information she’s sharing. She smooths her hair down as she moves between curious visitors, offering gardening tips and plant care advice.
Ms. Lucy approaches our table from the direction of the bake sale, wearing a flower crown we made her earlier. It sits slightly crooked on top of her head.
“Those pies are selling like hotcakes,” she announces, fanning herself with a paper plate. “And speaking of which, Bailey honey, have you tried the peach cobbler yet? It’s divine. Made with fresh peaches from the Johnson’s farm.”
Before I can answer, Mary Beth waves her hands at us. “You two have been working hard enough. Go on and enjoy the festival! I can handle things here. There’s plenty of crowns for me to pass out.” She gestures to the colorful array of floral creations spread across the table.
Sophie’s eyes light up immediately, and she grabs my hand. “Mommy, can we go see Mr. Gavin? Please? I want a puppy kiss!” She tugs, already half out of her chair.
Remembering the twinge of jealousy I felt when Gavin first told us about the booth. The memory of his expression when explaining the fundraising idea puts a smile on my face.
“Puppy kisses?” Ms. Lucy questions tilting her head.
“People can get a kiss and their picture taken with a dog from Gavin’s clinic for a small donation to the local animal shelter.” I tell her, smoothing down Sophie’s hair.
“Come on, Mommy!” She tugs at my hand as we make our way through the crowd. I hold the flower crown I made for Gavin carefully in my other, trying not to crush the delicate petals.
“Patience, sweet pea.” I say at her enthusiasm. Ms. Lucy walks beside us, still fanning herself with her paper plate.
“Well, if it isn’t Ms. Bailey from Magnolia Blooms!” A familiar voice calls out.
I turn to see Mr. Locke waving at us. His round face is lit up with a genuine smile. Next to him stands a tall, thin man with snow white hair and thick-rimmed glasses who looks like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“Mr. Locke.” I wave back and we head in their direction.
“And who might this little lady be?” He bends down slightly, though his age makes it a bit of a struggle.
“I’m Sophie.” She replies to him, half behind my leg.
“And what do we have here Sophie?” He points at the flower crown she’s wearing.
“A flower crown, I made it.” She comes out from behind me a little bit.
“That’s mighty pretty.” He straightens up with a grunt. “Lucy, good to see you too. Henry, come meet Bailey and Sophie. They’re new in town.”
The older man beside him lets out what I can only describe as a harrumph. “More new folks? Town’s getting too crowded as it is.”
Ms. Lucy clicks her tongue. “Now Henry, don’t you start. Bailey here’s been a blessing to Mary Beth’s shop, and little Sophie’s the sweetest thing since honey.”
I feel my cheeks warm at her praise, but Henry just crosses his arms. “Back in my day, we knew everyone in town. Now, can’t keep track of all these new faces.”
“That’s because back in your day, dinosaurs still roamed the earth,” Mr. Locke chuckles, earning himself a glare from Henry.
“Watch it, Joe. I still remember when you couldn’t tell a Phillips head from a flathead.” Mr. Locke gives him an elbow bump.
Sophie tugs at my hand again, whispering not-so-quietly, “Mommy, he looks like Oscar.”
“Oscar?” Henry’s bushy eyebrows draw together.
“The grouch,” she explains matter-of-factly, causing Ms. Lucy to burst into laughter.
I feel mortified. “Sophie Marie!”
But Mr. Locke is already doubling over with laughter, his belly shaking. Even Henry’s mouth twitches at the corners, though he tries to maintain his scowl.
“She’s got you pegged, Henry!” Mr. Locke wipes at his eyes. “Out of the mouths of babes, right?”
“Hmph. Kids these days have no respect,” Henry grumbles, but I catch the way his eyes soften when he looks back down at Sophie.
“How’s that shelf holding up in the shop?” Mr. Locke asks me, still chuckling. “Henry here is the one who suggested that extra support bracket.”
“Oh! It’s perfect, thank you.” I smile genuinely at Henry. “The orchids love their new home.”
“Course they do.” He puffs up slightly. “Told Joe the standard bracket wouldn’t be enough with all that weight. But does anyone listen to old Mr. Henry? No, they just think I’m being difficult.”
“Because you are difficult,” Mr. Locke retorts good-naturedly. “Remember last week when you spent twenty minutes lecturing that poor boy about proper nail selection at the store?”
“Well, he was going to use finishing nails for a deck! A deck!” Henry throws his hands up in exasperation. “What are they teaching these youngsters nowadays?”
Ms. Lucy pats his arm. “And that’s why we need experienced folks like you around, Henry. To keep these young ones from making those sorts of mistakes.”
“Speaking of young ones,” Henry peers at Sophie who’s now picking something off her shirt, clearly bored with adult conversation. “Are you planning on signing up for the junior gardening program? Mary Beth mentioned starting it up again this fall.”
I blink in surprise. “I didn’t know about that.”
“Oh yes!” Ms. Lucy claps her hands. “Mary Beth was just telling me about it. They teach the little ones about plants, and have them grow their own vegetables. It’s wonderful.”
Sophie looks up. “Can I grow flowers, Mommy?”
“We’ll talk to Mary Beth about it,” I promise, touched that Henry would think to mention it.
“Better than sitting inside with those video games all day,” he mutters. “In my time—”
“We know, we know.” Mr. Locke cuts him off with a grin. “You walked uphill both ways in the snow to school.”
“That was one time!” Henry protests. “And it really did snow that day!”
“In Texas?” Ms. Lucy raises an eyebrow.
“Well…” He shifts uncomfortably. “Might’ve been more of a heavy frost.”
We all laugh, and this time he joins in, albeit reluctantly. Sophie, having reached her limit of standing still, starts pulling on my hand again.
“Mommy! Puppies!”
“Alright, alright.” I turn to our little group. “We promised Sophie some puppy kisses at Dr. Mitchell’s booth.”
“Ah, young Dr. Mitchell.” Henry’s eyes narrow knowingly. “Good man. Knows his stuff. Fixed up my Arthur’s hip last month.”
“Arthur?” I ask.
“His cat,” Mr. Locke stage whispers. “Don’t let the grumpy act fool you. Henry’s got three cats and feeds every stray in a five-mile radius.”
“They’re not strays,” Henry bristles. “They’re independent outdoor cats who occasionally grace me with their presence.”
“And eat all your cat food,” Mr. Locke adds.
“Well, I can’t let them go hungry, can I?” Henry’s voice rises defensively. “What kind of monster do you think I am?”
Sophie tilts her head and giggles. “Not Oscar anymore. You’re like the cat man!”
His face softens completely this time. “Smart kid you’ve got there,” he tells me, then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a dollar bill. “Here, little lady. Get yourself something sweet. But not those cotton candy abominations, they’ll rot your teeth right out of your head.”
Sophie looks at me for permission, and I nod. “What do we say?”
“Thank you, Mr. Cat Man!” She takes the dollar carefully.
Henry actually smiles, though he tries to hide it behind a cough. “Well, go on then. Those puppies are waiting.”
As we say our goodbyes and continue toward Gavin’s booth, I hear Henry behind us: “Nice folks. Still too many new people in town, though.”
“Oh, hush up, you old softie,” Mr. Locke responds.
Ms. Lucy leans in closer to me. “Henry’s bark is worse than his bite. Once he decides he likes you, you’ve got a friend for life.”
“And the cat man nickname?” I ask, worried it might have offended him.
“Oh honey, that’ll stick better than any name he’s had before. And secretly, he’ll love it.” She pats my arm. “Now, let’s go see about those puppy kisses. And maybe a certain handsome veterinarian too?”
I feel my smile fall as Sophie walks in front of us. The one I made for Gavin suddenly feels heavy in my hand, and I wonder if bringing it was too forward. Suddenly I hear Sophie.
“Mr. Gavin! Look what I made!”
His booth has a few people around it, most of them children eager to get their pictures taken with the dogs. He’s kneeling next to a little boy who’s petting a boxer, but his eyes find mine immediately. My heart skips when he smiles, and I clutch the flower crown tighter.
A stunning woman stands next to him, her copper-red hair falling in perfect waves past her shoulders. Her emerald green scrubs complements her olive skin tone, and when she laughs at something a parent says, her whole face lights up. For a moment, my stomach twists with uncertainty.
“Gavin,” Ms. Lucy calls out, waving her paper plate. “Got time for some old friends?”
He whispers something to the red-haired woman and makes his way around the booth to us.
I feel that twist in my stomach again as I watch him approach, the woman’s laughter echoing behind him. The jealousy surprises me, catches me off guard.
He’s wearing dark jeans and a deep red polo with his clinic’s logo, and I try not to stare.
“Ms. Lucy, I’ll always have time for y’all.”
“Mr. Gavin. Look at my crown.” She points to the daisies adorning her head. “I made one for Tommy too!”
“It’s beautiful.” He crouches down to her level. “Would you like to meet some dogs? Melina over there can help you pick one for a picture.”
“Melina?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.
“My new vet tech.” He straightens up. “Started last month. She’s great with the animals and the kids.”
“She’s very pretty,” I say before I can stop myself.
He blinks at me. “Is she? I hadn’t noticed.”
Ms. Lucy coughs something that sounds suspiciously like “liar” into her paper plate.
“Can I?” Sophie tugs at my shirt, her eyes pleading.
“Of course, baby. Stay where I can see you.”
She runs over to Melina, who greets her with a warm smile. “Well, hello there! I love your flower crown. Want to meet our special friend Duke?”
“Yes, please.” She says suddenly shy as Melina leads her to a gorgeous tri-colored miniature Australian shepherd who’s sitting patiently on a blanket, then her excitement comes out.
“So,” Gavin turns back to me, “how are you enjoying the festival?”
“It’s good,” I fidget with the flower crown in my hands. “There’s a lot more people here than I thought there would be, but we’ve been keeping busy with our flower crowns at Mary Beth’s booth.”
“I saw. You’ve got quite the talent with those flowers.”
I actually blush. “Speaking of which…” I hold out the crown I made him. “This is for you.”
His eyes widen slightly. “For me?”
“If you want it,” I add quickly. “You don’t have to—”
“Bailey,” he cuts me off gently, already bending down so I can reach his head better. “I’d be honored.”
My hands shake slightly as I place the crown of lavender and greenery on his dark hair. It should look silly on him, a big, strong veterinarian wearing delicate flowers, but somehow it doesn’t. It looks perfect.
“How do I look?” He asks Ms. Lucy.
She fans herself faster. “Like a regular Prince Charming.”
“Good.” And before I can process what’s happening he leans in and plants a soft kiss on my cheek. The contact lasts only a second, but it sends electricity racing through my entire body. When he pulls back, I cup my cheek with my palm, feeling warmth bloom beneath my fingers.
“Well, a prince charming has to live up to his title, doesn’t he?” His amber eyes twinkle with mischief, but there’s something else there too, a question, maybe even vulnerability.
Ms. Lucy chuckles beside us. “I’ll just go check on little Sophie, shall I?” She wanders off toward the dog area, her paper plate fan working overtime.
I blink, my hand still pressed against my cheek. This kind of attention, this closeness with a man, it should trigger all my alarms. But it doesn’t. And that realization leaves me breathless in a whole new way.
“Bailey?” Gavin’s smile falters slightly. “I’m sorry if that was too forward. I just—”
“No,” I finally find my voice. “It wasn’t.”
His smile returns. The flower crown sits slightly askew on his head, and without thinking, I reach up to straighten it. My fingers brush against his hair, and they linger there a moment longer than they should. He stands perfectly still, letting me adjust it.
“There,” I whisper. “Perfect.”
We’re pulled out of our little bubble then.
“Mommy! Mr. Gavin!” Sophie’s voice carries across the booth. “Come see Duke! He gives the best kisses!”
We walk over to where Sophie sits on a blanket with Melina and Duke. The dog’s little nub of a tail wiggles furiously when he sees Gavin.
“Having fun, Sophie?” He asks.
Sophie nods. “She says Duke knows tricks.”
Melina smiles warmly. “Duke, sit.” The dog sits immediately. “Now, shake.”
He offers his paw to Sophie, who giggles as she shakes it.
“Can we take the picture now?” She asks.
“Of course!” Melina grabs the camera that’s hanging from her neck. “Dr. Mitchell, why don’t you and Bailey join in?”
“Oh, I don’t—” I start to protest, but Sophie’s pleading expression is already pulling me down to the blanket.
“Please, Mommy?”
Gavin sits beside me, his arm sliding naturally around my waist.
I tense at the touch, my body responding automatically to the feel of a man’s arm around me. The ghost of Matt’s grip flashes through my mind, how his fingers would dig into my skin when he was angry, how I’d have to hide the bruises.
But this is different. This touch is gentle, almost hesitant. His hand rests lightly against my waist, ready to pull away at the slightest sign of discomfort.
“Is this okay?” he whispers, his breath warm against my ear.
I nod, surprised at how quickly the tension melts away. My muscles unclench one at a time and I find myself leaning into him, just slightly.
“Say cheese!” Melina calls.
“Cheese!” Sophie giggles, wrapping her arms around Duke’s neck. The dog licks her face, making her laugh even harder.
I smile, a real smile as Melina snaps the picture. Gavin’s warmth seeps through my cotton dress, steady and reassuring. The flower crown on his head brushes against my temple when he turns to look at me.
“Another one?” Melina asks, adjusting her camera.
“Yes!” Sophie bounces on her knees. “Mommy, we need big smiles this time.”
“Yes ma’am,” I lightly chuckle, and when Gavin’s arm tightens just a fraction around my waist, I don’t pull away. Instead, I let myself sink deeper into the moment, into the feel of being held without fear.
It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself this closeness with anyone other than Sophie. The realization makes my throat tight with emotion. I breathe through it, focusing on the present, the festival sounds around us, Sophie’s delighted giggles, the smell of all the baked goods. I let it all ground me.
“Perfect!” She announces after taking a few more photos. “These are going to look great.”
As we stand up, Gavin’s hand lingers at the small of my back. I should move away. I should put distance between us. But I don’t want to. For the first time in years, I don’t immediately calculate the safest path, don’t automatically retreat from a man’s touch.
I stay right where I am, and it stirs feelings in me I haven’t felt in years.
“Can we get a copy?” I ask Melina.
“One thousand percent.” She smiles, “We will be uploading all of the files onto our website, and you can snag it from there.”
“Thank you!” Smiling, already knowing that I’m going to frame one and add the picture to the wall at home. Sophie hugs Duke one last time then surprisingly she hugs Gavin.
For a moment, he freezes, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty. I nod slightly, giving him silent permission.
His posture softens. He crouches down to her level, returning her hug with gentle arms that envelop but don’t overwhelm her. There’s a carefulness to his movements, like he’s handling something precious.
“Thank you for the flower crown,” he says to her, his voice low and warm. “And for letting me be in your picture.”
She beams up at him. “You look pretty with flowers.”
He laughs, the sound rich and genuine. “That might be the nicest compliment I’ve ever gotten.”
My heart twists watching them. Sophie doesn’t warm up to people easily. Matt made sure of that. Yet here she is, hugging Gavin.
Ms. Lucy appears at my side with cotton candy. “I know Henry said no, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
“You’re corrupting my daughter,” I say as Sophie notices the purple sugary cloud.
“That’s what honorary grandmothers are for, honey.” She gives me a playful wink.
And there it is again. A strange tingling sensation crawling up my spine. I stiffen slightly, my smile faltering as I scan the festival crowd. That feeling of being watched returns, stronger this time. My eyes dart between the colorful booths, searching faces, looking for anyone paying too much attention to us.
“You okay?” Gavin asks, his voice pulling me back.
“Yeah, I just…” I trail off, still scanning. The crowd shifts and moves, families laughing, children running between stalls. Nothing seems out of place, yet the feeling persists. “Thought I saw someone I knew.”
Ms. Lucy hands Sophie the cotton candy, and that momentarily distracts me. Her face lights up as she takes a careful bite, getting purple sugar on her nose.
“Look, Mommy! It’s magic.”
I force my attention back to her, pushing down the unease. “It sure is, baby.”
Gavin studies my face, concern evident in his eyes. “Bailey?”
“It’s nothing,” I say, trying to convince myself as much as him. One more quick scan of the festival grounds reveals nothing suspicious. No ones watching us. No familiar faces that shouldn’t be here. “Just my imagination.”
But even as I say it, I slip my phone from my pocket and check it. No unfamiliar calls. No texts. Nothing that would indicate Matt has found us. I take a deep breath, willing my racing heart to slow down.
“You sure?” He steps closer, his voice low enough that Sophie can’t hear. “You went pale for a second there.”
I nod, backing up, pasting on a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “Just a weird feeling. It’s gone now.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t push either. Instead, he gently says. “If you need anything—”
“I know,” I cut him off. “Thank you.”
The tingling sensation fades as quickly as it came, leaving me wondering if it was ever really there at all. Maybe it’s just my anxiety playing tricks on me. Maybe it’s just what happens when you’ve spent years looking over your shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop.