Chapter 10

Ten

Lily

“ D o you like Lily?”

“Fuck no.”

Each time the exchange ran through my mind, I cringed a little more. It hurt more than I cared to admit. His words shouldn’t have surprised me. He’d been prickly every time we ran into each other.

The resulting pain caused a physical ache in my chest, making it impossible to draw in a deep breath. I felt lightheaded. Almost sick to my stomach. I should be used to rejection with the way my parents treated me, but I wasn’t.

So, I’d taken control of the conversation. I told him we didn’t make sense on any level except physically. That was an assumption on my part after what he’d said, but then he’d admitted he felt the same.

We were too different. I shouldn’t want anything to do with him. Especially after I walked into that conversation between Ryan and him.

I knew I wasn’t his type, so I wasn’t sure why it hurt so much when he’d admitted it. The only conclusion I’d come to was that rejection hurt, even if it was from someone you didn’t like.

My feelings were normal.

I’d get over it.

In about a thousand years.

The sting of rejection lingered in my consciousness. I couldn’t seem to shake it.

I focused on my business and launched the subscription service with an ambitious marketing campaign.

I’d immediately gotten a few sign-ups, which encouraged me to keep doing it. I even posted flyers around town, directing everyone to my website.

When the shop closed for the day, I met with Zoe and Max at my house to tour the barn and property. Zoe insisted she wanted to view everything before she made her decision on a venue, but I didn’t hold out much hope. Once she saw the state of the barn, there was no way she’d want to hold her wedding reception in it. There was a possibility she’d like the outside area, and we could always set up a dance floor and tents.

Arriving home, I opened the doors to the musty space. I’d been reluctant to move my grandparents’ things, but if Zoe wanted to get married here, I’d have no choice but to do what I’d been putting off.

Immediately after the will had been read to me, I’d dove into moving towns, finding a space for the shop, and opening the business. I hadn’t changed many things in the house itself except for the master bedroom and bath. My grandmother had long since moved to the first-floor bedroom.

The biggest obstacle in the barn was my grandfather’s prized vehicle he’d kept. Since he died, a tarp covered it. My grandmother couldn’t bear to look at it, and I didn’t know if it was worth anything if I sold it.

Maybe Jake could help me get rid of it. Sell it if it was worth something. But I needed to get it out of the barn if I had any hope of hosting events here.

“Oh my gosh. This is perfect.” Zoe’s voice carried to me from the open doors.

Dust hung in the air, visible from the sun that came through the paned windows. Boxes were stacked along the walls. Gardening tools were confined to a back corner.

Zoe held a hand to her chest as she slowly walked the space. “I can see the round tables here.” She pointed to the middle of the room. “And a floor for dancing here. The table for the cake. There are so many options.”

I could see the dust and grime of the barn cleaned out, leaving sparkling wood floors, twinkly lights, chandeliers, and flowers hanging from the rafters.

“You’d be my first event. It will need some work to clear everything out. To get it wedding ready.” I wasn’t sure spring was enough time to meet Gia’s exacting standards.

“I think it’s worth the wait. Don’t you, Max?” Zoe turned to face him.

Max moved from his spot in the open doorway and crossed the space to tug her into his side. They looked at each other with so much love, I had to look away.

I didn’t want to intrude on their intimate moment.

“If you think it will work,” Max said softly.

“I know you wanted to hold the reception at the bar, but that’s where we always meet for parties and the Shops on Main meetings. I want something different. And no one’s ever held a wedding here. We’d be the first.” Zoe’s voice strengthened with each word.

“Would you want to be married inside or out?” I asked her, drawing on the way I’d seen Gia talk to prospective wedding clients.

“Are you planning on adding more flowers outside?” Zoe asked as she wandered outside the barn.

“That’s the plan, but I’ll need to start planting soon.” I led the way to the flat area in front of the pond.

“Can you show me what you’re thinking?” Zoe asked as we stood in the middle of the space.

“The tree-lined area from the house to this wide space will be the perfect spot for the aisle. We could do a red carpet or go natural with rose petals lining the way.”

“I’d love something natural. Maybe even some twigs as a border.”

“With a flower girl dropping the petals,” I said, her vision coming clear in my mind.

“The rows of wedding chairs will go here, an archway in front of the pond.” I tipped my head to consider the view the photographer would have as a backdrop. It was a small pond with one dock I’d used as a child.

“I hadn’t even considered a water view for the wedding. This is even better than I was imagining.”

“The pond is our best-kept secret.” Several developers had reached out to me after my grandmother died, offering me money for the property. They’d even shown me plans for a development that kept the pond, but I hadn’t been interested in the offers. I was still holding out hope for my vision.

I’d always envisioned living here and raising my children. Watching them jump off the dock into the water. It would only be possible if I could convince Zoe and Max this was the perfect location for their wedding.

I drew in a breath, feeling the pressure of this moment. There might be other brides and grooms who would be interested in the property, but I wanted this to work for my friends. I knew Max and Zoe would tell their friends, and word would spread.

Zoe looked from Max to me. “It’s gorgeous. Exactly what I envisioned.”

Max moved closer, turning her to face him. “I want you to be happy.”

Since they were wrapped up in each other, I made my way to the pond to see the state of the dock. It was there but sagging. I wondered if I should restore it or just remove it.

A few seconds later, Zoe approached. “The dock is perfect. Are you planning on keeping it?”

“I haven’t decided. It looks like I’d need to replace a few boards.”

“Do you think it’s possible you could be ready for a spring wedding?”

“June’s a possibility. If I can plant soon, we’ll have some amazing flowers for you.” I hoped the weather would cooperate, and we wouldn’t have any late-spring freezes. Maryland weather could be a little unpredictable.

Zoe clasped her hands together. “Does this mean you’ll do it?”

Even though I’d only known her for a short time, I wanted to give Zoe her dream wedding. “I’ll do everything I can to make it a beautiful day.”

I’d learned from Gia never to say “the perfect day” because it put too much pressure on the bride.

Zoe squealed. “I can’t believe the perfect location was here all along.”

“Do you need any help to clear the barn and property?” Max asked.

“I couldn’t ask for help. You’re my client.”

“Here, business owners lean on each other. You’re providing one more venue for the wedding planning services, which helps your florist shop, the bakery, the photographers, and even restaurants like mine that cater events like these. It’s good for everyone.”

The more he talked, the more hopeful I was that it could work. I could offer outdoor or small, indoor ceremonies and receptions, showers, and even galas. The options were endless.

My grandmother would have loved the idea of couples getting married here and celebrating their union. She wanted people to enjoy her property.

Zoe clasped her hands together in front of her face. “I think you’re going to have a lot of interest, and I’m so excited to be your first bride.”

“Me too,” I said as Zoe hugged me.

“Let me know what help you need. Zoe has her heart set on this place, and I want to get married sooner rather than later.”

As we headed toward the house, Zoe and Max linked hands. “I love that huge porch on the back. I didn’t notice it before.”

“My grandfather added that porch on for my grandmother.”

“That’s so sweet.” Zoe and Max exchanged a smile.

As we ascended the wide steps, Zoe said, “You could easily hold a cocktail party here.”

Standing in the middle of the porch, I gestured at the wooden rocking chairs. “I have fond memories of my grandparents holding hands while I played with my dolls in this Victorian dollhouse while the rain came down.”

Max and Zoe were quiet for a moment as if they were taking in the space and the picture I’d painted of my family.

“Have you thought about adding little plaques or pictures of your grandparents around the barn? It would be a good reminder to the wedding couples of another successful relationship, of the love they’ll want to emulate. Hearing you talk about them, their obvious love for each other, feels good.

“I love the idea of including my grandparents in the business.” My grandparents would love what I was doing. It added to the excitement that was already running through my veins.

If I thought about the amount of work that needed to be done in the next few months to be ready for a spring wedding, I’d have a panic attack. So, I tried to focus on the good things—the work already being completed, happy couples taking pictures on the steps to the house and by the pond, my grandmother looking down on me.

She wanted me to follow my dreams, and I was fulfilling her wishes.

I thanked them for taking the time to view the farm. We made plans to schedule a meeting with Gia. I hoped she’d agree to hosting the wedding here. My contract with Gia and Happily Ever Afters precluded me from planning a wedding outside our agreement. Gia was the one obstacle to me holding Max and Zoe’s wedding here. If she thought there was any reason things wouldn’t be ready, she wouldn’t agree to it. The possibility of her saying no had me sweating at all there was to do to get the place ready.

I waved as they drove back down the long lane. Max and Zoe had given me a lot to think about. They’d opened my mind to things I hadn’t even considered.

I immediately headed to the barn with a notepad to write down everything that needed to be done.

I wanted to keep the farm. With the high tax bill, keeping and maintaining the property was expensive. This was my best option to make it profitable. I tried not to think about what it would be like to host weddings at my house. I’d think about my nonexistent personal life after the business took off.

When I finished the list for the barn and the property itself, I stopped at the summerhouse. I used to ride my bike on the sidewalk out front, but I almost never spent time inside. It was hot and full of spider webs in the summer, cold and lacking heat in the winter. The fact was, I couldn’t do anything with the summerhouse. Not anytime soon. It needed too much work that a contractor would need to complete.

But I wondered if it could be used as a space for brides and grooms to get ready for the wedding, or even a small guest house. Zoe had gotten my mind turning over with all the possibilities.

I was overwhelmed with the idea of getting rid of my grandparents’ things. Anything I didn’t want would need to be donated, and keepsakes would need to be taken to the main house.

It was something I could work on after the shop was closed each day. If I focused on renovating the property, I wouldn’t be thinking about Jake or what was going on with Berta.

I needed something to distract me because my mind had been preoccupied with him since I saw him last. It had been date-like and far too intimate. Then he’d ruined all my fantasies by telling Ryan he didn’t like me.

One thing was certain from our conversation: he didn’t want to want me. That was an important distinction, something I’d ignored with other guys, thinking I could change their mind or fix them in some way. When a guy spoke, I should listen to them. Heed their words. That would be the smart thing to do.

I liked to think that opposites attract, but that was a romantic notion that only happened in movies and books. Reality was different.

I wanted something lasting, like what my grandparents had. It was obvious Jake didn’t want the same things.

I grabbed a couple of garbage bags and pulled out a few boxes to get started, knowing I’d feel better once I’d made some progress. I sorted through the first few boxes, quickly realizing it was a bigger project than I thought. Each box held memories of my grandparents, ones I’d avoided since she died.

I hadn’t wanted to deal with her death. I’d dived right into making her house my home, opening the business, and making friends in a new town. I’d avoided the boxes my grandmother had placed here after Grandpa died.

I hadn’t wanted to dredge up old memories. There were too painful. Tears pricked my eyes as I pulled out photographs of Grandma and Grandpa when they were young, and then later, with my mother. It was too much. I swiped away the tears mixed with the dust.

Needing a break from the trip down memory lane, I slowly lifted the corner of the tarp, revealing metallic gold paint.

I had no idea what make or model the vehicle was, just that it was sporty, and my grandfather had loved it. I knew nothing about vehicles other than what I’d gleaned from Jake, and that wasn’t much. Pulling the cover all the way back to the trunk, the car looked to be in good condition except for some sagging in the interior. Would it even run at this point? My grandmother hadn’t touched it since he died three years ago.

Jake would know the answers. But I’d need to call and ask him. He’d want to visit the farm to check it out.

Could I handle being in his presence again? I’d told him I was attracted to him, and we’d agreed we weren’t compatible. At the time, it had seemed like the logical thing to do. I wanted to cover the pain he’d unleashed with his careless words, and he wanted an out.

The reality was something different. I liked him. The problem was, I needed him and his expertise. He was the only one I knew who could help me. He’d know what to do. I’d deal with the fallout just like I always did.