Page 6 of A Heart in Bloom

Cammie followed him down the stairs that led from the loft to the back of the shop. “I need to be at least partially operational in the next week, if possible. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—it’s my busiest day of the year. I need the workstation and coolers in place ASAP so I can start receiving shipments and moving everything from Glacier Ridge. If the apartment has to wait, so be it. I don’t mind sleeping on the floor as long as my business can stay up and running.”

“I’ll make it work, whatever it takes,” she added, her tone sharpening with determination.

Allen let out a low whistle, his eyes scanning the shop. “Good thing I saved some of my superpowers. A week is tight, but if you’re okay with some late nights, we can make it happen. The apartment will take longer, but down here? Totally doable.”

A wide smile lifted the corners of her lips, stealing Allen’s breath. “Thank you! I really needed to hear that.”

Allen paused, his hand on the door handle. “Don’t thank me yet. Wait until we’ve turned this place into something amazing.” With a wink, he stepped out into the snow, leaving Cammie standing in the doorway—momentarily speechless, the cold air brushing against her cheeks.

She closed the door and leaned against it. Exhilaration hummed through her as she surveyed the empty shop. She wasn’t just starting over—she was building something entirely her own. This was going to work. It had to.

Chapter Six

That afternoon, Cammie strolled down Main Street, snow falling in soft flakes that clung to her scarf and hair, adding to the town’s storybook charm. She passed the café and caught a glimpse of Mrs. Davis waving from inside. Smiling, Cammie offered a small wave back but kept moving, her boots crunching softly against the fresh snow.

The rich scent of coffee and baked goods guided her steps to the Gathering Grounds Bistro. As she pushed open the door, a bell jingled, and the cozy warmth and lively chatter inside enveloped her like a welcome embrace.

Behind the counter, a dark-haired woman with a stylish bob streaked with multitoned highlights greeted her with a vibrant smile.

“Hi there! You must be new in town,” the woman said brightly, her tone friendly and welcoming. “I’m Gwen. What can I get for you?”

Cammie hesitated as she stepped up to the counter, scanning the surprisingly extensive menu. She hadn’t expected such variety in a small-town coffee shop. “Hi, I’m Cammie Rodes. Nice to meet you. A Caffè Mocha, please.”

“Ah, hot chocolate with a side of energy—my kind of girl,” Gwen said with a grin, turning to the stainless-steel worktable to prepare the drink. “You must be the florist Zach mentioned. Moving into the old pharmacy, right?”

Cammie blinked, caught off guard. “Word travels fast around here.”

With a laugh, Gwen set a cup and saucer on the counter. The mocha was topped with an elegant chocolate snowflake design. “You have no idea. Welcome to Hickory Falls. You’ll fit right in, I promise.”

The kindness in Gwen’s tone melted some of Cammie’s tension, coaxing a small smile. “Thanks. I’m still getting used to the idea of starting over.”

Leaning casually against the counter, Gwen’s expression softened. “Sometimes starting over is the best thing you can do. This place has a way of surprising you. Believe it or not, I was new here at the end of summer. Now I feel like I’ve been here my whole life.” She straightened, her tone turning playful. “Wait here just a minute.”

Gwen disappeared into the back, returning a few moments later with a stunning, clearly shy young woman by her side. Her shoulder-length raven waves framed a face with dark chocolate eyes that seemed to peer into Cammie’s very soul. Elegantlydressed in tailored slacks and a blouse that would have made her mother’s Southern belle friends swoon, she carried an air of quiet sophistication.

“Cammie, I’d like you to meet Anika, one of my soul sisters and roommates. You’ll meet the other two, Harper and Becky, soon enough,” Gwen said warmly, a loving arm wrapped around the other woman. “Anika, this is Cammie, the new florist in town.”

Cammie offered a smile as Anika nodded warily, her eyes darting briefly before settling. There was a quiet elegance to her, paired with an almost palpable nervousness, that made Cammie instantly want to put her at ease.

Settling into conversation over her coffee, Cammie felt herself unwind in a way she hadn’t in months. Small talk flowed effortlessly, and with each passing moment, the tension in her shoulders slipped away. She hadn’t realized just how much she missed the warmth of friendship. For so long, she’d been consumed by work and the relentless stress of keeping everything afloat. Now, sharing laughs with these near strangers, she began to imagine a future filled with girl’s nights, easy camaraderie, and the kind of laughter that left you breathless.

As the shop grew busier with locals stopping in for a quick meal or drink on their way home, Gwen appeared with two plates of sandwiches and shooed them toward a table. The inviting energy of the café wrapped around Cammie like a well-worn blanket, yet she couldn’t help noticing how Anika seemed to shrink into herself as the crowd grew.

Anika’s smile wavered, and her dark eyes darted toward the counter. “It was nice to meet you, Cammie,” she said softly, her voice almost lost in the growing hum of the café. Before Cammie could respond, Anika slipped behind the counter and strapped on an apron.

Cammie frowned, a pang of concern stirring in her chest. There was something more to Anika’s retreat than just discomfort with the crowd. Her attention lingered as Gwen placed a gentle hand on Anika’s shoulder, her lips forming the silent but unmistakable words,“You did good.”The strain on the younger woman’s face eased instantly, replaced by a tentative but genuine calm.

Savoring the last bite of her sandwich, Cammie let her gaze wander. The industrial-chic design of the coffee shop caught her eye—a perfect blend of warm wood tones and sleek metal accents that felt effortlessly inviting. She was about to return her attention to her coffee when something in the upper loft drew her notice. There, tucked into a secluded corner of what appeared to be a cozy reading nook lined with bookshelves, was Allen, working intently as if the bustling café didn’t exist.

Grabbing her plate and fresh coffee, Cammie made her way up the spiral stairs at the back of the café. Allen sat at a table in the corner, focused intently on his work, earbuds in, seemingly oblivious to the lively chatter below.

As she neared the table, he must have sensed her presence. His head lifted, and a broad grin spread across his face when their eyes met.

“Well, hello, stranger,” he greeted, his tone easy and warm. His gaze flicked to the plate in her hand, and he gestured to the seat across from him. “Please, sit.”

Taking the offered seat, Cammie set her coffee down with a soft clink. She slid the plate to the center of the table, the untouched half of a Reuben sandwich catching his attention. “Are you hungry? I’ve been here for over an hour and didn’t even see you, so you must have been here longer. I can’t finish this, so it’s all yours if you want it.”

Allen didn’t hesitate. He reached for the sandwich with a grin, taking a hearty bite. “You don’t have to tell me twice. Gwen’sReubens are the stuff of legends.” He chewed thoughtfully, his relaxed posture inviting, as though they’d done this a hundred times before.

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