Chapter 1

RILEY

I parked my truck on the side of the road and rolled down the window. For nine long years, I'd missed seeing the sparkling water of Willow Lake, the mountains that rose around me like a warm and welcoming hug, and the wildflowers that grew everywhere.

Nestled against the shore of the lake was Sunrise Bay, the small town that had given me so many happy memories.

My fingers itched to take out my sketchpad, but I had to keep moving. After countless delays and a diverted flight, it had taken three days to fly from Italy to Colorado. I should have stayed with friends in Denver and caught up on the sleep I desperately needed. But once I decided to leave Italy, I wanted to come home as quickly as possible.

With one last, lingering look at the lake, I started my truck and drove toward town. The number of vehicles on the road surprised me. So did the new stores that had opened. The sleepy little town with no traffic lights or fast-food restaurants had changed. Cafés rubbed shoulders with antique stores. There was even a fashion boutique and a gallery. There were so many new businesses that I nearly drove past the general store.

The first person I saw when I walked inside was Jenny Cook. Gray hair framed the same kind face and gentle blue eyes that I remembered from the last time I was there. Jenny was listening to a customer, smiling at what was being said.

While they were talking, I found a shopping cart and wheeled it toward the shelves. I planned to buy enough food for a few days and then come back when I wasn't so jet-lagged. Halfway around the store, I remembered the apple cider that Jenny's husband used to make.

Spinning my cart around, I nearly bumped into another man. "Oops. Sorry."

"That's okay," the man said. "I've done the same thing myself."

I smiled and kept walking. After going up and down another two aisles, I stopped and frowned. The same man I nearly collided with was walking toward me.

"You look lost," he said. "Can I help?"

I nodded. "The owner of the store used to make his own apple cider. Do you know if he's still selling it?"

"I sure do. Follow me." The man pushed his cart across the store and stopped in front of a small refrigerator. "Here you go."

Stacked in neat rows were at least a dozen bottles of Allan's homemade cider. "Thanks. I don't know how I missed them."

"I'm not sure why they're separate from the other drinks. But at least you know where they are now." The man held out his hand. "I'm Jonathan. I haven't seen you in Sunrise Bay before."

"My grandparents owned a cottage here. I used to stay with them each summer, but I haven't been back for a long time."

"I moved here two years ago," Jonathan told me. "It's the best thing I ever did. Is this a visit or are you planning on staying?"

I looked over my shoulder. It was silly to think anyone would care about who I was, but old habits are hard to break. Another man took something off the shelf behind me.

After he moved away, I turned back to Jonathan. "I thought I'd stay for a few weeks and see how everything goes."

Jenny rushed across the store with her arms open wide. "Well, if it isn't Riley Murphy. It's been too long since we've seen you."

With a wide smile, I returned Jenny's hug. "It's good to see you, too. I'm surprised you recognized me."

"You haven't changed one bit. We missed seeing you at your grandparents' funeral."

I swallowed the knot of grief that lodged in my throat. "I was living in Europe and couldn't get home." To this day, I regretted the decision I made. It took me too long to realize that work should never come before family.

Jenny's generous smile turned into a frown. "I hope you pre-booked your accommodation. There's a craft fair and a concert this weekend, and the hotels are full."

"I'm staying at my cottage for a while."

"The cottage at the end of Bluewater Road?" Jenny seemed confused. "But someone's living there. It was rented a couple of months ago."

My eyes widened. "Rented? Mom didn't tell me someone's staying there."

"Are you sure the person's living in Riley's cottage?" Jonathan asked.

Jenny nodded. "He's come into the store a couple of times but doesn't say much."

A massive headache started to build behind my eyes. "I'll pay for my groceries, then go and see him. Someone's made a mistake."

Jonathan took a business card out of his pocket. "Take this. If you get stuck, call me. I have a spare bedroom you can use."

I didn't think I'd need it, but I took the card anyway. "Thanks. I'm sure it'll be okay."

"Don't forget your apple cider," Jonathan said quickly.

I added two half-gallon containers to my cart. I might not need to use Jonathan's spare bedroom, but I would definitely need the cider.