Chapter 1

ONE

Maple

I smile to myself as I walk to work, taking a deep breath of the crisp fall air. Fall is my favorite season, and Halloween is my favorite holiday. It has been ever since I was a little girl. I used to dress up every year, sometimes even throw parties for my friends once we got too old for trick or treating, but that was before. Before my parents died, before I moved to Wolf Valley with my sisters, before I started my shop.

Maybe I should have a party this year, I think to myself as I head down the street.

It's been too long since I've had some fun. I used to go out with friends and hang out with my sisters. I was in a book club and a craft circle. I used to be social, but lately, not so much.

The last year has been busy, filled with a move, settling into my new apartment, and opening my shop, Wet and Wild. My days have been filled with making sure that my store gets off the ground and is a success. It wasn't easy at first, but things have been going great for the last six months. I finally feel like I'm at a point where I can take a break. Now I just need to figure out what I want to do on my break.

Maybe a vacation? Although I don't really have the staff for that right now.

It's just me, my youngest sister, Ginger, and our friend, Lilou. Both Ginger and Lilou are part-time, and while I know they can handle things for a day or two, I'm not sure I'm at a point where I could leave for a week or two.

I weigh my options as I head into the shop, smiling at Lilou behind the counter.

"Hey, how's it going?" I ask her.

"Good. We've been busy," she says with a smile.

Hiring Lilou has been the best decision since opening this place. It gives me a chance to take a break and do all the little tasks that need to be done, and it's made us closer. It's nice to have friends besides my sisters, and she's a great friend to have. Plus, she's an awesome employee.

I set my things down behind the counter, getting settled as Lilou helps a customer check out. The door opens and in walks one of my other sisters, Olive. She's the eldest of us and runs the bakery right next door. She usually stops by after she closes, and I smile as I spot the bakery box in her hands.

"How's it going?" She says, and I smile.

"Pretty good. For me?" I ask as she hands it to me.

"Yeah, you and Lilou."

Olive is an amazing baker. She's great in the kitchen, period. She got that from our mom.

A pang hits me as I think about our parents. They've been gone for a few years now, but the ache hasn't gone away. I doubt that it ever will. My sisters and I had left our old house behind, deciding that we needed a change of scenery. Olive was the one who suggested Wolf Valley and when she declared that she was going to open up her own bakery, we all were inspired.

Olive owns the bakery Masterbeaters, I own Wet and Wild, and Saffron runs the bookstore Shelf Indulgence. Ginger hasn't settled on a single business yet, so she floats between them, helping out where she can. It's worked out well for all of us, and we've found a new home here. Still, though, my heart can't help but hurt for the one that we left.

"Have Saffron or Ginger stopped by?" Olive asks me, naming our other two sisters.

"Not that I know of. I just got in myself."

"Must be nice," she sighs, and I grin.

"If you want to sleep in, then you're in the wrong profession," I tease her.

"True, but now I get to go home and spend the rest of the night with my sexy man," she says, talking about her new husband, Xavier.

Olive and Xavier met when we first moved to town. They lived across the street from each other, and Olive was smitten from the moment that she saw him. He was, too, though he didn't think he was good enough for her and tried to fight his feelings. He should've known better. Once Olive sets her mind to something, she always gets it.

"Tell him I said hi."

"I will," she promises as she leans against the counter.

"Have you talked to Vera yet?" She asks, naming one of our friends in town.

"No, why? Is she alright?"

"Yeah, she's fine. She's decided to throw a Halloween party this year. She mentioned a costume contest and some games," she says, giving me a knowing smile.

Halloween costume party? That's just what I need for my break , I think.

It's well known in my family just how much I love Halloween and dressing up and I smile at the thought of getting to do it this year and hang out with all of our friends.

"I haven't seen her yet," I say, and Olive nods.

"I'm sure she'll be by soon, or maybe she'll text you."

"Text who?" Lilou asks as she joins us at the counter.

"We're talking about Vera's Halloween party," Olive says.

"Oh! Yeah, she was by a little bit ago. Told me to give you this," she says, passing me an invitation.

I open it, smiling at the ghosts and bats on the card.

"Are you going too?" I ask Lilou, and she smiles.

"Maybe. If my boss will give me time off."

"Of course," I tell her. "Maybe we'll close early that day so we can all go."

"Yay! I already told her that Xavier and I would go. It should be a lot of fun!" Olive says with a wide grin, and I smile.

Fun. The word seems so foreign.

I frown at that thought, wondering when I became so sad and bitter.

When was the last time that I had any fun?

It's been nothing but work, errands, and sleep for me for the last year as I tried to get this place off the ground. I know that I threw myself into work to try to distract myself from my grief. Not that it worked. I would go home after work and think about my parents. I would be stocking here at the shop or driving through town and randomly think of them. The ache in my chest has lessened in the last year, but I doubt that it will ever truly go away.

I shake my head, trying to shake off the gloomy thoughts as I focus on my sister and friend.

"We'll all go together," I say, offering Olive and Lilou a smile. "Maybe we can do a group costume!"

We debate ideas for a bit before Olive's phone rings, and she waves goodbye as she heads home to her man. Lilou and I get to work then, and I smile as I restock some shelves.

My sister is right I am due for some fun , I think as I look up, my eyes locking on him.

Ryder Murray.

His friendly blue eyes twinkle as he smiles at me, and I swallow hard, offering him a weak smile back.

I can feel my face blushing and I reach up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Ryder Murray likes me. He's even asked me out a few times, but I've never accepted. Mainly because of Wet and Wild and all of the work here, but also because I thought that he would get bored of me. I mean, the man looks like a freaking model, with his dark hair and piercing blue eyes, and I well… don't. Not unless we were talking about a plus-size model.

The two of us seem like polar opposites. He's not really much of a talker, and he seems more like a loner who prefers to be by himself. Whereas I like having people around and being social. Still, there's something about him that calls to me.

I watch his tall frame as he continues down the sidewalk, and suddenly, I know exactly how I'm going to have some fun.