Chapter 6 Hailey
HAILEY
Hailey wandered around Friendship Flowers in Trinity Falls village the next day, admiring the beautiful displays while she waited for the owner to finish up with a customer.
She had been hoping to find a wonderful new florist in town, so when she saw the same name as always on the tiny storefront sign she was a little worried.
Friendship Flowers had always been a solid, dependable shop with reasonable prices.
But they didn’t have the cozy aesthetic she was hoping to pull off for her event at Wright Farm.
The moment she stepped inside, though, it was clear that she had struck gold.
Gorgeous pine garlands, strung with tiny twinkling lights dangled from shelves covered in treasures.
Boughs of evergreen with sprays of red berries and bouquets of holly were displayed in beautiful containers.
There were antique vases painted with tiny flowers, thick hand-thrown pottery vases, and even tiny crystal bowls.
Fragrant wreathes hung from a thick ribbon over each window. And the case of refrigerators along the back wall of the shop was filled with lush flowers. A selection of beautiful gardening tools rested on a mossy bed behind a carved wood bookcase displaying handmade greeting cards.
Hailey felt like she had wandered into an enchanted cottage in a magical forest. She’d brought along her laptop with all her inspiration photos on it, but looking around, she wasn’t sure she even needed it. This place was perfect.
As she browsed, she noticed a sign by the register announcing a fundraising auction to benefit a homeless shelter in the city.
Hailey got a lump in her throat remembering how generous this small community was.
When she compared these local farmers and small business owners she had grown up around, who all shared what they had, to so many of the wealthy celebrities and producers she worked with, who didn’t even bother to tip the coffee girl—well, it made coming home feel so much sweeter.
“Thank you so much,” the customer at the counter said, holding a gorgeous bouquet of pink roses to her chest. “I know she’ll be so happy when she sees these.”
“Send her my love,” the lady behind the counter replied before turning to Hailey with a friendly smile. “May I help you find something special?”
“I was actually hoping to talk with the owner,” Hailey said. “I can come back whenever it’s convenient.”
“No need,” the lady replied. “My name is Sage Carlsen, and I’m the new owner.”
“Oh, did you just buy the place?” Hailey asked her.
“Well,” Sage said, smiling, “I actually bought it a little over three years ago. But in this town, I’m told that makes me a newcomer.”
That made Hailey smile.
“You’re not wrong,” Hailey told her. “I grew up in Trinity Falls, so I know all about that.”
“What can I do for you?” Sage asked.
“I actually just bought a place out on Providence Road,” Hailey said. “The Wrights’ old farm. And I’m planning to use it as a destination of sorts.”
“Like a bed and breakfast?” Sage asked.
“More like a cozy venue for weddings and parties,” Hailey told her. “The farmhouse is really charming, and I’ll be doing some things to upgrade the gardens and the patio.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Sage said. “You probably guessed that I’m a fan of a beautiful garden.”
“I was planning to start things off with a party,” Hailey explained. “And of course I’ll need flowers.”
“Well, I’m so grateful that you came here,” Sage said. “I know you could have gone to the grocery store up on Route One, or one of the online flower services. It means a lot that you’re shopping locally.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Hailey told her. “I love everything you have going on in here. It’s just the vibe I’m hoping for at the farm.”
“Then let’s talk about what you’d like, and your budget,” Sage said. “I’ll do my best to make it work for a fellow small business owner.”
An hour later, they had worked out a complete plan, and better yet, Sage had agreed to attend the gathering as a guest.
“Hey, I’m about to close up for lunch,” Sage said as Hailey slipped her laptop back in her bag.
“I always eat super early in case other people stop in here on their lunch breaks. Want to grab a bite together? I’m heading to Mallory’s bakery on Park, and I think she might be able to help with some of what you want as far as catering. ”
“That would be great,” Hailey said, feeling like she had won the lottery. “I’ve been meaning to stop by there anyway. I’ve heard such good things.”
“Nothing like a sample to help you decide,” Sage told her. “My treat.”
Hailey pulled her coat, hat, and scarf back on. Once Sage was bundled up too, she turned over the sign in the window and they headed out together.
Snow flurries swirled and drifted to the sandstone sidewalks, as if they had caught Hailey’s happy and relaxed mood.
“So pretty, right?” Sage asked. “Sometimes I can’t believe that it’s real and that I actually live here.”
“We’re so lucky,” Hailey said dreamily.
Sage nodded, but when Hailey glanced over at her, there was something almost haunted in her expression for just a second.
They turned the corner at Gabriel’s Drugstore and passed a few more shops before arriving at the bakery, where Reggie Webb was coming out with a white paper bag in his hand. The beloved old gossip looked the same as ever.
“Hey there,” Sage said to him, and Hailey echoed her greeting.
“Is that Hailey Sinclair?” Reggie asked, looking amazed. “What are you doing here?”
“I bought Wright Farm,” she told him. “I’m home for good.”
“Isn’t that wonderful?” he asked. “And right next door to your old beau, huh?”
He winked at her and she felt her whole face flush. She was glad she was so bundled up, because she was probably red as a beet underneath it all.
“Nice to see you,” Sage said to him and grabbed Hailey’s hand to drag her into the bakery.
Hailey felt better almost immediately. The bakery was toasty warm and it smelled like heaven. Old-fashioned Christmas lights hung from the plate rail and gorgeous display baskets on shelves by the counter were filled with beautiful baked goods.
A young woman stood behind the register. She had sparkling green eyes and red hair in a neat ponytail. She was familiar, though Hailey couldn’t quite place why.
“Sage,” the woman said happily.
“Mal, do you know Hailey?” Sage asked.
“Well, I know she’s from Trinity Falls,” Mal said. “And obviously I know her from Ridley Hospital. I can’t believe what they did to BeeBee. You deserved to have a happily-ever-after with that dreamy Dr. Silverman.”
Her voice had gone low and intense for that last bit, with a genuine sympathy that was typical for fans of the show.
Living in New York, Hailey had been spotted by viewers pretty regularly, and many of them talked to her as if the line between herself and her character was awfully thin.
Plenty of them even talked to her like she simply was BeeBee Evans.
It was strange at first, but now Hailey took it as a great compliment that her character felt real to them.
“Thanks, Mal,” Hailey said. “But I think things worked out just fine. I loved being on the show, but I’m glad to be home.”
“There are a lot worse places to come home to than Trinity Falls,” Mal said with a big smile. “Well, have a seat and I’ll bring you two a menu.”
“We were actually kind of hoping you could join us,” Sage said. “If you can spare the time?”
“Oh, I’d love to,” Mal said happily. “Lunch rush won’t be for another hour or so.”
She grabbed a few menus and started to hand them over, but Hailey shook her head.
“I’ll have whatever is quick and easy so we can chat,” she told Mal.
“Well, I know Sage loves a quick and easy meal,” Mal laughed. “Hang on, girls. I’ll whip something up and be right back.”
“Great choice,” Sage said quietly to Hailey. “When Mal whips something up, it’s always way better than the menu stuff. I think she likes thinking outside the box. Oh, would you look at that.”
Sage was looking out the big window, and when Hailey followed her gaze she saw the sweetest sight—a woman walking with a handsome man in a cowboy hat, both of them carrying bags and packages, and both wearing big smiles on their faces.
“I did the flowers for their wedding last year,” Sage said with a smile. “There’s nothing like wedding flowers.”
“Are weddings your favorite?” Hailey asked her.
“Definitely,” Sage said. “I love all my work, but weddings are just magical.”
“Amen to that,” Mal said, coming out of the back with a big wooden tray as Hailey felt all her dreams starting to come together.
Could it really be this easy to assemble a team?
Mal set down the tray and Hailey barely held in a groan of appreciation.
“What did I tell you?” Sage asked, gazing rapturously down at the array of cheeses, meats, grapes, hunks of rustic-looking bread, and sweet and savory filled croissant halves. “This is the best.”
“Wow,” Hailey said. “You just whipped this up?”
“The bread and croissants were freshly baked this morning,” Mal said, shrugging like the little slice of heaven she had just laid in front of them was no big deal. “And I stock nice cheeses and meats whenever the Co-op Grocer gets a shipment from one of the local farms.”
“And you like working weddings?” Hailey asked.
“I sure do,” Mal said. “Though I don’t get the chance as often as I’d like. The bigger outfits can be more competitive on price. And I try to source locally, so my supply isn’t as consistent or easy to plan.”
“But it’s curated,” Sage put in. “It’s special.”
“It sure is,” Hailey said around a bite of fresh bread with a bit of brie. “I’d love to talk to you about catering a local event I’m planning.”
“Hailey just bought Wright Farm,” Sage told Mal. “She’s going to turn it into an event venue.”
“I’m going to have a small opening event for local friends, once things are more or less ready,” Hailey said. “Nothing too fancy.”
“I’m on it,” Mal said before Hailey even had the chance to ask. “We can put our heads together after lunch. I can work within whatever budget you set and we’ll come up with something great.”
“Thank you so much,” Hailey said. “I hope you two don’t mind, but I may have had a bit of an ulterior motive today in stopping by.”
“Well, you’re hiring us both for your event,” Sage laughed. “So I think you’re entitled to ask a favor.”
Mal nodded, a smile lighting up her green eyes again.
“Well, you probably figured out that I’m asking you two to cater and do flowers because when I open up I’ll want local vendors I can personally recommend,” Hailey said. “I guess you could say I’m taking you for a test drive.”
“Works for me,” Mal said.
“I’m just hoping that when you attend, you’ll be doing the same with me,” Hailey told them. “If you have someone looking to plan an event and they don’t have a venue yet, and if you like what you see and think it could be a match, maybe you could include Wright Farm on your list of possible spots?”
“Of course we will,” Sage said right away. “I’ve always loved that place, and I can tell already that you’re going to do something special with it.”
“Well, let’s see how the event goes first and then see what you think,” Hailey said, speaking carefully even though inwardly she felt like she was walking on air. “I’ll only want your support if you think the place is just right.”
“If it’s not just right, we’ll help you figure out how to make it just right,” Mal said. “I promise.”
“Thank you,” Hailey told her, truly moved. “That means a lot.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Sage said firmly.
“Amen to that,” Mal said.
Hailey couldn’t hold back her smile. She had been back three days and she already had women who were happy to call themselves her friends.
“Speaking of friends,” Sage said. “What was Reggie saying about Ransom?”
“Ransom?” Mal echoed, leaning forward with interest. “Ransom Wright?”
“How many guys named Ransom do you know?” Sage teased her.
Mal laughed and turned her green gaze back to Hailey.
“Oh,” Hailey said. “Nothing. It’s just that we used to date back in high school.”
“You did?” Mal asked. “He’s so cute, and he’s hilarious with his kids. They come in sometimes and it would melt your heart the stuff he says to them.”
Something about hearing Mal compliment Ransom made Hailey’s heart ache.
“Any chance of rekindling that old flame?” Sage asked gently.
“I don’t think so,” Hailey said.
“Why not?” Mal demanded.
“He kind of broke my heart,” Hailey admitted.
“You’re still not over it,” Sage said, reaching out to cover Hailey’s hand with her own.
“If you’re not over it, that means you still have big feelings,” Mal said. “And if you still have big feelings, then it’s not too late.”
Hailey had never really thought about it that way.
“Maybe,” she said.
But she knew she couldn’t really let herself fall hard for Ransom Wright. Not again.
“Hey, who wants a gingerbread cappuccino?” Mal asked, hopping out of her seat.
“Me,” Hailey and Sage said at the same time.
“Well, okay then,” Mal said. “Eat up and I’ll bring us each one. But save room for a cookie or two. I’m trying new recipes this week and I need a couple of guinea pigs.”
“Have I told you lately that I love you?” Sage sang after Mal, who was already disappearing into the kitchen in back, her ponytail swinging.
“Hey, Sage,” Hailey said.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you,” Hailey told her. “For agreeing to come to the party, but mostly just thank you for making me feel at home.”
“You’ve forgotten how it is in a small town,” Sage said with a smile. “Another week and you’ll never want to leave again.”
“I’m starting to wonder why I left in the first place,” Hailey joked weakly.
“I’d say it was to earn enough money to buy Wright Farm,” Sage reminded her. “We couldn’t have a gem like that sitting on the market. Now it will be like a little piece of home for everyone who visits.”
“I love that,” Hailey said, grabbing her phone and opening her notes app. “Can I steal it?”
“Of course,” Sage said. “I’d be honored.”
“A little piece of home for everyone who visits,” Hailey murmured as she typed it in.
Looking down at the words on her phone, she saw a flash of the farm as it could be, and a sense of peace rose in her, like maybe just maybe she hadn’t gotten herself in too deep after all.
At least with the farm. And if she could keep from getting in too deep with Ransom, everything was going to be just fine.