Page 58 of Wood You Knot

I got out, too, following my daughter toward the madness.

Volunteers were working hard to get everything ready. The vendor tables and games were being set up on the blacktop. She spotted the twins near the Hutchinsons’ vendor table and took off to talk to them.

Auntie Em and Uncle Ed were there, too, chatting with Laurel Hutchinson and an elderly woman who must have been Nix’s grandma. My aunt and uncle had agreed to come out and support the fundraiser and keep an eye on Daphne for me so I could focus on running the photo booth.

I followed, pausing at their table to say hello.

“Hello, Sage.” Laurel smiled with warmth. “Gran, this is Sage Whitaker and her daughter, Daphne.” She spoke to the elderly woman sitting beside her. The woman squinted, trying to see me better.

“So you’re the one who’s got my grandson tied up in knots,” the elderly Mrs. Hutchinson said.

“Um, I guess so,” I replied, my cheeks heating with embarrassment. Daphne was occupied with the twins and hadn’t heard her, but I could feel my aunt’s and uncle’s eyes on me.

Although I hadn’t come out and told them I was seeing Nix, I knew they probably had an idea there was something going on between the two of us. After all, Nix had shown up twice throughout the week on my lunch break to take me out for a quick date.

Nix’s grandmother studied me for a moment longer, then nodded with satisfaction. “Well, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Hutchinson.”

“Call me Gran,” the old woman insisted with a wave of her wrinkled hand and the knitting needle she held.

“Okay…” I trailed off, feeling a little awkward. But Gran had already gone back to her knitting. Daphne tugged on my coat, and I glanced down at her and smiled. “What’s up, Squirt?”

“Can I have some money to buy things?” she asked. Nodding, I reached into my camera bag for the cash I’d pulled out from the bank earlier that day, handing her a few twenties.

“Don’t forget to spend some of that on a new book,” I reminded her.

“Okay, I will.” Daphne nodded, folding up the bills and tucking them into her little jean pocket.

“We’ll make sure she picks something out,” Auntie Em promised.

“Thanks, Auntie Em.” I smiled my appreciation before turning to Tabitha. “Have you seen Mr. Robertson? I’m not sure where I’m supposed to go.”

“He’s over by the fire truck,” she replied, pointing in the direction. The fire department had their fire truck parked in the grass in front of the school, with Sparky the Fire Dog ready to greet kids and give out fire truck tours. Mr. Robertson was talking to a few of the firefighters. “I’ll take you to him if you want?”

“No, that’s all right. I’ll just go over,” I replied quickly. “I’ll see you guys in a bit. Behave, Daph, and stick with Auntie Em and Uncle Ed. No wandering,” I instructed, and she nodded solemnly.

“Good luck, love, you’ll do great,” Auntie Em told me, giving me a quick hug.

“I hope so.” I hugged her back before I made my way over to Mr. Robertson to find out where the photo booth was.

“Hey, Sage! Glad you’re here. Mr. Ashe and the high school students have set things up in front of the school,” he said, walking me toward it.

“Oh,” I said, trying not to look at the setup with disappointment, but the brick behind the photo booth setup wasn’t doing it any favours. My gaze was pulled to the field beside the playground. “Is there any way we could move it to that field over there? I think the forest would make a better backdrop than the brick of the school…”

Mr. Robertson paused for half a beat, considering my suggestion. “Huh, that’s a great idea. I’m sure we can have them do that.”

I helped Mr. Robertson, Mr. Ashe, and the high school students move the bench and the rest of the props over to where I wanted them. We’d just finished setting everything back up when the barista from the café, Jayden, arrived with another man carrying a bunch of beautiful flower arrangements.

“Hey, Sage. I want you to meet my handsome hubby, Ezra. He’s the owner of Hartwood Creek Flowers,” Jayden introduced us as he sat the arrangement he was carrying down.

They’d brought beautiful pots of orange and yellow mums, nestled with black-eyed Susans and a few other flowers I couldn’t name.

Ezra’s entire face lit up when Jayden said my name. “Oh! I’ve heard so much about you,” he cooed, shaking my hand in earnest. “Welcome to Hartwood Creek, my dear.”

“Thank you very much. And thank you for the beautiful bouquet you made. I love it. You’re so talented,” I replied, smiling.

“That is so kind of you to say,” Ezra said with an appreciative smile, putting a hand to his heart as if my compliment had warmed it. “I’m glad you enjoyed them. I had a lot of fun making that arrangement.” His eyes twinkled as he smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but grin back.

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