Page 5 of Wood You Knot

I felt my ears perk up with the mention of Sage. She was kind of the real reason I agreed to help out, despite my plans. I hadn’t seen Sage Whitaker in years, but she used to spend a lot of the summer here in Hartwood Creek. I’d always thought she was beautiful, with her long blond hair, sparkling green eyes, and infectious smile.

Emelia, Ed’s wife, had told our mother their niece would be moving to Hartwood Creek and renting the apartment above the hardware store. I was looking forward to seeing her again; I used to have a crush on her when we were younger. Making her laugh had always been my main objective, although my secret desire was to make her mine. I could never seem to get past the hurdle of asking her out, though.

Not that I had planned on doing that today, but my curiosity had gotten the better of me, that was for sure. I couldn’t wait to see what she looked like now.

We said our goodbyes and climbed into the truck. Parker twisted the keys in the ignition, and the truck roared to life.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice you perk up at the mention of Sage Whitaker,” Parker teased, shooting me a bemused look. I furrowed my brow.

I could deny it—pretend I hadn’t perked up at the sound of her name, but what was the point? “So what? I’m looking forward to seeing an old friend again.”

“Sure, sure.” Parker shook his head, that bemused smile still on his face. All of us Hutchinson boys had dark hair and brown eyes, just like our father.

Parker pulled away from the curb, driving from the suburbs to the downtown core, turning onto Main Street. In no time at all, we’d reached our destination. We parked in front of the hardware store, and I opened the door, stepping out onto the sidewalk.

Three old ladies were making their way down the street in a Can-Am Commander decked out in purple, squabbling amongst themselves. I nodded at the three of them as they were about to pass. “Morning, ladies.”

The purple Commander came to a sudden stop.

“Phoenix Hutchinson, is that you?” the first lady, Alice, asked as she backed up a little to address me. Calling attention to the Hartley sisters as they passed probably wasn’t my best bet, but if I hadn’t said a thing, they’d have stopped anyway. Those three busybodies never missed an opportunity to chat us up.

Plus, Gran would have my hide if she found out I’d snubbed them in public.

“Sure is, ma’am.”

“Well, good morning,” Alice said, exchanging a mischievous smile with the other two old women. “How’s your gran doing?”

“Very well, thank you. I’ll tell her you said hi.”

“Yes, please do that.” Alice nodded with a smile and adjusted her hat.

“What brings you to town?” Dorothy inquired. She was sitting up front, and she was the only one not wearing a hat.

“Just helping out the Alcotts,” I answered, gesturing to the bed of the truck where Parker was standing, waiting for me to help. He caught sight of the Hartley sisters and waved tentatively at the older women.They kind of freaked him out a little, not that he’d admit that.

“Oh, right! Their niece just moved into the apartments above the hardware store,” Betty said with a knowing grin from the back of the purple Commander.

“That she did.”

“It’s so kind of you boys to help out.” Betty smiled.

“Yeah.” I lifted my hand to the back of my neck and rested it there, feeling uncomfortable. It was evident the Hartley sisters had something up their sleeve. I hoped they weren’t getting any ideas—the sisters had earned a reputable reputation matchmaking for a reason.

They called themselves the messengers. They liked to meddle and trick couples into drinking the infamous love elixir their ancestor Morgana Hartley created. In The Name of Love Latte, a latte from their local coffee shop, was said to possess magical powers that made the couples who drank it fall undeniably in love.

In fact, they were able to trick Parker and his wife, Tabitha, into drinking it. Now they liked to take credit for their relationship.

“How’s business?” Alice questioned.

“Business is good. We’ve been keeping busy with a few restoration projects,” I answered. “I hope you ladies are doing well.”

“Of course we’re doing well. Why…what did you hear?” Betty demanded.

“He’s heard nothing, he’s just checking in, you nitwit, no need to get all defensive,” Dorothy scolded.

“Send our love to your families,” Alice said over her squabbling sisters.

I chuckled as the three women started driving their purple Commander in the direction of Tout de Sweets, still bickering all the while.

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