Page 142 of Finders Keepers

And we pull apart. My head rests on his chest again still wrapped in his arms. She comes bounding back into the room, clutching her purse, her whole face is lit up with anticipation.

The drive back into town after an amazing dinner is filled with Sophie telling us about her day with Ms. Lucy, who’d watched her while Gavin was at the clinic, and I was at the flower shop with Mary Beth. She tells us about how she helped get the eggs from the chicken coop, how she helped brush Buttercup’s mane and made her look pretty. It’s when we’re pulling up to the community center instead of Gavins house like I expected I look over at him, one eyebrow raised high, the old brick building glowing warmly in the evening light.

“I thought we were going home?” I glance at him questioningly, noting the slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Small change of plans.” His smile is mysterious as he parks in front of The Grand Oak Room.

“Can we even get inside?” I shift uncertainly as I get out of the truck.

“Trust me.” He helps Sophie out of her car seat with practiced ease, then takes both of our hands in his, his warm fingers intertwining with mine and gives me a squeeze.

I hold onto Gavin’s hand a little tighter as we step through the double doors into the foyer. The soft glow of vintage wall sconces illuminates the polished wooden floors, but what catches my eye immediately is a cluster of colorful balloons floating above the entryway to the main room. My stomach does a little flip.

“What’s going on?” I whisper to Gavin, feeling a familiar tightness creeping into my chest. It’s not the overwhelming panic I used to feel, just a hum of anxiety that comes with unexpected situations.

“Balloons! Can I have one?” Sophie points at the cluster.

“In a minute, Lil Bit,” Gavin says, giving my hand another reassuring squeeze. “Ready to go in?”

I take a deep breath, centering myself the way Ms. Lucy taught me. “I guess so.”

We round the corner, and suddenly the room erupts.

“SURPRISE!”

I flinch backward, my free hand flying to my chest. The room is packed. Ms. Lucy stands front and center with Mary Beth beside her, both beaming. Molly waves from near a long table covered with food. There must be at least a hundred people here, faces I recognize from the diner, the flower shop, the veterinary clinic. Some I’ve only seen in passing on Main Street.

“Oh my god,” I breathe, feeling my cheeks flush hot. “What is this?”

“It’s a welcome home party,” Gavin murmurs close to my ear. “This town wanted to properly welcome you and Sophie.”

Sophie clutches my leg, suddenly shy with all the attention, but her eyes are wide with wonder at the decorations, streamers hanging from the ceiling, a banner reading “Welcome Bailey & Sophie!” in bright, cheerful letters.

Ms. Lucy approaches, arms outstretched. “There’s our girls! We figured it was high time we made it official. Y’all are part of our little community.”

I’m overwhelmed, blinking back tears as I scan the room full of smiling faces. These people barely know me, yet here they are, celebrating us like we’re something special. Like we belong.

“Hello girls!” Mary Beth calls out, her silver-streaked hair styled elegantly for the occasion. She’s standing with Molly and Will along with Tommy by his side, who immediately spots Sophie and waves excitedly.

“Tommy!” She squeals with delight but looks up at me first. “Can I go play?”

I nod, watching as she runs to her best friend.

I spot the teenager from the ice cream shop along with the whole staff too, I see Beau from the coffee shop laughing and talking with Nurse Sam.

The room is decorated beautifully, with tables laden with food and a hand-painted banner that reads “Welcome Home Bailey & Sophie!”

Flowers from Magnolia Blooms create stunning centerpieces in mason jars wrapped with ribbon, there’s even an ice cream bar tucked in a corner where multiple kids and teens are waiting for their cups.

I lean into Gavin as people start mingling around us. “The whole town did this?” My voice catches, still processing the scene before me.

“Everyone pitched in. Ms. Lucy organized it, but the moment people heard about it, they wanted to help.” His arm slides around my waist, anchoring me. “Mary Beth brought the flowers, and Molly and Will supplied coffee and hot chocolate for the kids. Even Mr. Locke helped with the space.”

“I don’t know what to say.” The words come out barely above a whisper.

“You don’t have to say anything.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “Just enjoy it.”

Before I can respond, Molly breaks away from her group and rushes toward me, her copper hair swinging. She wraps me in a tight hug that nearly knocks the wind out of me.

---