Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
Ruby
Two Weeks Later
I’m perched at my favorite spot by the overlook in Silver Pine. As a long-time resident I’m tuned into the subtle shift in the air. Spring will not be here for a while yet, but the sun feels stronger, the snow falls lighter.
I have not even stopped at home yet. Instead, I hiked up to this special place.
After falling apart outside Oopsie Daisies, I texted my college roommate.
She invited me to join her on a women’s retreat an hour away in Buena Vista, the kind that features log cabins, unlimited herbal tea, early morning yoga, and absolutely no cell service.
It was the best thing I could have done for myself.
The strong scent of pine cuts through the cold air. I tighten my coat around me and draw in a long breath. The world from up here looks peaceful and vast.
I close my eyes, meditating to the screech of eagles circling above when I hear footsteps crunching through the snow behind me.
Then a voice speaks my name.
I jolt and open my eyes, my heart lurching. “You,” I whisper, unable to hide the surprise.
Griffin stands before me, his brow furrowed, his expression caught somewhere between relief and something I can’t identify.
“You came back,” he says softly.
I push to my feet, hoping he can’t hear the frantic thrum in my chest. I nod, finding my voice. “How did you find me here?”
“Desiree spotted you driving into town and texted me. I tried your place then the café. When you weren’t there, I thought I’d check your usual escape spot.”
“But why are you here? You live in Denver.”
He closes the last few feet between us. “Hello, Ruby,” he says when he reaches me, as if he’s been practicing a speech, and wants to start over from the beginning.
I swallow. “Hello, Griffin.”
He’s looking at me like I’m something he never thought he’d get close to again. Something he wants. But I am not biting. Not yet. I wait.
“Have you stopped by Oopsie Daisies?” he asks.
“No,” I say, simply, and turn away. Why would I? The place is shut down.
“Maybe you should.”
There is something in his tone, something careful and deliberate.
I face him once more. “What for? To see the place cleared out? No, thank you.”
His eyes are soft. “Haven’t you spoken with Desiree?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I’ve been off the grid. No phone.”
He nods, as if that confirms a dozen things for him.
“Ruby, a lot has happened since you left.” He takes a breath, steps closer. “I messed up, badly. Again”
I cross my arms, not sure I’m ready for this. I’ve spent two weeks finding equilibrium. I don’t want it evaporating in two minutes.
Interpreting my body language, he says, “Please, let me try to explain.”
I gesture for him to go on.
“When I saw that padlock and realized you were gone, I panicked. I called my brother, and yeah, he reminded me I’m the idiot who told Clara’s lawyer to have the place locked up unless he heard otherwise.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I never meant for you to walk into that. Scout’s honor.”
My heart pinches, but I stay quiet.
“So I did the only thing I could think to do.” He exhales. “I asked for help from the local community.”
My eyebrows shoot up. Griffin asking for help is like spotting a unicorn at the grocery store.
“After knocking me down a rung or two, Desiree came by,” he continues. “Apparently, her drama club needs a place to rehearse. The library and theater couldn’t commit to regular use of their space. We agreed to divide the shop and split the rent with them.”
I’m stunned. Both at the ingenuity and his change of heart. A small laugh escapes me, despite myself.
Buoyed, Griffin continues, “Nick agreed to a weekly standing order for the Inn. Six months straight.” His voice warms. “He said the guests loved your arrangements at the cotillion.”
My throat tightens. “I’m—”
He holds up a hand. “There’s more. Ivy and Rue, the sisters from the Silver Quill? They came up with a whole plan to sponsor corporate gift bouquets, as long as we use their logo on the wrapping paper. Literature meets lilies. That’s the tag line.”
I’m amazed. “That actually… sounds adorable.”
“And it works. Ruby, the shop isn’t closing. We’re finally turning a corner toward solvency.”
I stare at him, dizzy. All those people stepping in. All those hands reviving the thing I thought I had lost.
“But whose been running the shop all this time?”
“You’re looking at him.”
“You?”
Griffin laughs at my reaction. The precious sound pierces me. “Yep, badly, but running it.”
I blink hard. “Why?”
Griffin meets my eyes, and it’s all there. Concern, apology, vulnerability. “Because it matters to you. And somewhere along the way, it started mattering to me too.”
A beat.
“And because I was scared I’d ruined everything with you.”
“You hurt me,” I whisper.
His face falls. “I’m so sorry, Ruby. I want to fix what I broke. Not just the shop. But us, too. I’d like a chance. If you’ll give me one.”
I pause, even while I know myself. I’m a romantic who believes in second chances.
I step closer. Close enough to see the sincerity in his eyes. I feel the warmth rolling off him in waves.
A long silence stretches between us. Not empty—full. Full of all the things we survived, all the things we yearn for.
Finally, I let out a breath I’ve been holding since the day I saw the lock on the door.
“Show me the shop,” I say quietly.
His shoulders lift, hope sparking in his eyes.
“Yeah,” he says with a smile I feel in my bones. “I can do that.”
Leaving his car behind, we start walking together down the snowy trail toward town, toward Oopsie Daisies. Toward whatever this is becoming.
As we hike through the trees, I sense for the first time in a very long time, something inside me unfurling like a blossom warmed by spring. It feels like something I once knew. Something called true love.