Page 3 of A Heart in Bloom

Her mind raced. This wasn’t the office of a small-town lawyer drafting wills and negotiating land deals. This was the office of someone who had once moved in powerful circles, someone who had chosen this quiet town for reasons she couldn’t yet grasp.

Judson would have been green with envy, and that thought brought an unexpected flicker of satisfaction. Max Fuller was no ordinary attorney; that much was clear. He might be unassuming, but the polished edges of his past success were evident to someone who knew where to look.

She couldn’t wait to dig deeper, not just into Max’s story, but into the Harringtons as well. Zach—Theodore, as Dora had called him—was another mystery she needed to unravel. This newfound knowledge about Hickory Falls intrigued her. What other secrets were tucked away in this charming little town?

“Okay, Miss Rodes, as long as your background check comes back clean, we’ll be thrilled to welcome you to Hickory Falls,” Max said, settling into his leather desk chair. The overhead lights caught the sprinkle of gray at his temples and highlightedthe immaculate trim of his blond hair. His deep blue eyes reflected genuine excitement as he slid the papers toward her.

Cammie scribbled her signature in all the right places, anticipation building with every stroke. Her heart raced as she set the Mont Blanc pen on the polished surface, the final document complete. Max collected the papers and slipped them into a manila folder.

“That’s it—you now hold the lease to your new storefront,” Max announced with a broad smile. “Congratulations, Miss Rodes.”

She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, relief and excitement surging through her. As she shook Max’s hand, visions of vibrant arrangements filling her shop danced in her mind.

Max opened a desk drawer and retrieved a square envelope made of the finest paper. “Zach Harrington and the Hickory Falls event committee—chaired by my wife, Ellen—are hosting our first annual New Year’s Eve Gala this Sunday at Harrington House,” he said, offering the envelope to her with a smile. “It’s a great chance to meet some of the townspeople and ease your introduction to the community. We’d love to have you if you can make it.”

Cammie slid the invitation from the gold-lined envelope and stared, stunned by the elegance of the design. Her gaze caught the Harrington crest embossed at the top. This town was a fascinating contradiction—warm and friendly, yet its citizens seemed, at least in part, like upper-crust society. Small-town and grounded while also polished and sophisticated. She couldn’t quite make sense of it, but her heart urged her to go with the flow and see where it led.

It couldn’t be worse than what she’d already experienced, could it? The lease Max had outlined was almost too good to believe—she could walk away at any time without penalty.Returning to North Carolina would always be an option if things didn’t work out. But as she held the invitation, the flicker of hope within her grew brighter. If she gave this strange, quaint little town a chance, she had a feeling she would be pleasantly surprised.

Returning her gaze to his direct blue eyes, she admitted, “I would love to come, but I’ll be delivering arrangements all over the area that day for New Year’s Eve parties—and then packing. This move is going to be tricky, and to be honest, I’m not sure how I’m going to pull it off.”

“Well, the invitation stands. We’ll be going until at least midnight, so if you can drop by for any amount of time, you’re welcome,” Max said warmly. “As for the move, take it one step at a time, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. The old apothecary shop will need significant work to become a modern storefront, but Harrington Construction will handle the transformation. They do excellent work—you’ll be pleased with the results.”

“What? I don’t understand. If I rent Harrington’s building, am I required to use his construction company?” Cammie asked, her guard rising as she felt that familiar tug of a hidden string being pulled.

“Yes and no,” Max said, his tone even. “You’ll need to work with Harrington Construction because Zach is particular about maintaining the structural integrity of these old buildings. Sharing walls with other businesses requires care, and he wants to ensure everything is done right. You’ll cover materials specific to your needs, but they’ll be provided at cost, and labor is free, thanks to restoration grants. It’s all designed to help businesses like yours succeed while preserving the town’s history.”

Max’s eyes softened as he leaned forward slightly. “There’s no catch here, Cammie. What you see is what you get from this town and its people. This relocation will likely cost you far less than moving anywhere else.” He paused, then added, “Will yoube able to come to town on January second to meet with one of the Harrington crew to discuss design and layout? The sooner you meet, the sooner they can get to work. Winter is normally a bit of a slow time for them, but they have pretty full schedules with cabin construction this year.”

“Yes, I’ll be here bright and early on the second since my New Year’s orders will be finished,” Cammie confirmed.

“Perfect. Your background check is the final step. If all goes well, I’ll text you the code to the lockbox outside, where you can pick up the key. I’m excited to see what you’ll bring to the town. My wife will be thrilled to have a florist so close, especially with all the events the committee is planning for the coming year,” Max said with a smile.

Cammie nodded, a hint of amusement crossing her face. “I look forward to meeting her and the other ladies. It sounds like life here will be much more interesting.” She paused, wondering why she’d been so candid about her personal life.

“Might I suggest stopping by the Hickory Falls Café before you leave?” Max added, his tone light. “It’s a great spot to meet the locals and get a feel for the town. Let it slip that you’re opening a florist shop and see what happens. I promise... the ice will be broken in no time.”

“Thank you, I’ll do that,” Cammie said, stepping out the door. His office was on the edge of town, and the short walk to Main Street gave her a chance to take in her surroundings.

The charm of Hickory Falls was undeniable. Everyone she passed wore a smile and offered a warm greeting. Across the street, an older woman struggled with groceries, and a neighbor boy abandoned the snowman he was building to run over and help. The simple kindness of the moment stirred something deep in her, reminding Cammie of her childhood home in North Carolina. For a fleeting moment, nostalgia and homesickness swept over her, bittersweet and unexpected.

Shaking off the emotion, Cammie replaced it with gratitude and cautious optimism. Hunter jerking her around had been an unpleasant surprise, but maybe he’d done her a favor. She had been stuck, root-bound by crushed dreams. Now, she was being transplanted into new soil—a pot weathered and imperfect but ready to help her grow.

This could be the life she’d been hoping for when she left home six years ago. And if things worked out, she might even owe Hunter Harrington a thank-you note. But was Hickory Falls ready for her—and was she ready to put down rootsagain?

Chapter Four

By the time Cammie made it back to the center of town, her stomach was growling, and the mouthwatering aroma wafting from Hickory Falls Café lured her in like a siren’s call. Situated at the corner of Main Street and the single crossroad through town, the red brick building exuded classic small-town charm. “Hickory Falls Café, Established 1885” was emblazoned on the side of the building in faded gold and crimson paint.

Through the large row of windows, Cammie watched the café bustling with a steady lunch crowd. She was so absorbed inadmiring the cozy scene that she didn’t notice she had stopped directly in front of the entrance.

The door swung open abruptly and out came a man balancing a precarious tower of white boxes on one hand, his gaze fixed over his shoulder as he spoke. “I’ll be sure to tell her—” His words cut off as his foot caught hers, sending him stumbling forward.

Chaos ensued.

“Whoa!” he shouted, his free arm flailing as the boxes teetered dangerously, the weight tipping him sideways. His leg collided with hers, and the impact swept Cammie’s feet out from under her.

“Ah!” she yelped, her boots skidding on the icy sidewalk, her fall all but certain.

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