Davis moves slowly toward Hazel. “Come on, Hazel, all I’m asking for is one drink. I want to get to know you better.”
“I’m not interested,” Hazel says, backing toward the shop’s front door.
He cocks his head to the side. “How can you say that when you haven’t given me a chance? You certainly seemed interested the other night.” He wraps his fingers around her wrist. “Admit it, baby. We had fun together.”
“Leave me alone.” She jerks her hand away and closes the door, locking it behind her.
Hazel retreats behind the checkout counter and slides down the wall, cowering in the corner. Her memory bank explodes and flashbacks assault her. She buries her face in her hands as visions of her naked body in sexual positions she never thought possible burn her eyes. Davis was aggressive, but from what she remembers, he never forced her into doing any of those things.
Hazel doesn’t move when she hears the back door open or when Laney kneels down beside her. “Hazel, honey, you’re shaking all over. What’s wrong?”
Hazel opens her mouth to confess her sin, but no words come out. She longs to unburden herself, but what she did is too awful to speak of. She’s disgraced herself. She’ll carry her secret to her grave.
Laney rubs circles on her back. “Did someone rob the store? Are you hurt in any way?”
Hazel shakes her head. “I’m fine. Just having a bad day.”
“I know what that’s like.” Laney stands. “I’ll get us some iced cappuccinos from Delilah’s. Be right back.”
Once Laney has exited the front door, Hazel grabs the counter’s edge and pulls herself to her feet. She grips the counter until the dizziness passes before going into the back room. She’s bundling wildflowers into bouquets when Laney returns.
“Feeling better?” Laney asks, setting the iced beverage on the stainless-steel worktable.
Hazel manages a smile. “Yes. Sorry. Just trying to figure out my life. How was your meeting with the Pratts?”
“Awesome. We’re officially swapping houses. The Pratts go to Nantucket for the month of July. Before they leave, they’ll move their stuff into storage so the painters can work their magic. Then I’ll move into their house so the painters can finish my house before the Pratts come home.”
Hazel laughs. “You just made my head spin, but I’m glad you’ve worked out all the details. How does Hugh feel about you selling the house?”
“He’s relieved to be unburdened from the financial responsibility. Fingers crossed he starts making alimony payments.” Laney drops several bricks of oasis in a bucket of water to soak. “Will you and Charles sell the farm?”
“Yes! Believe it or not, Charles and I had an amicable lunch on Sunday, and we’ve decided to put the house on the market. I’m hopeful we can get back to being friends. Charles is starting a new business venture. He asked me to go in with him. But I have some reservations.”
“That sounds exciting. What kind of venture?” Laney asks, crossing the workroom to the metal shelves and surveying the collection of containers.
“A mountain sports business, offering guided bike, rafting, and kayaking tours.”
Laney whirls around to face her. “That’s amazing! Just what this town needs. It’s the perfect occupation for you and Charles, as much as you two love the outdoors.”
Hazel smiles, her eyes on the bouquets as she twists rubber bands around the stems. “Do you think so, really? It seems so touristy.”
“Duh, Hazel. We live in a tourist destination.”
“True.” She wraps clear plastic around a bouquet and ties it with a lavender ribbon. “I love working with you, Laney. I’m not sure I want to leave.”
Laney marches over to her and takes the bouquet out of her hands. “Talk to me, Hazel. Tell me what you’re really afraid of.”
Hazel shrugs.
“I’ll never find anyone as dedicated as you, but I will manage somehow. I was already planning to hire one shop assistant. Why not hire two?”
Another wave of dizziness overcomes Hazel, and she leans into the table for support. “Having lunch with Charles felt like old times. What if we can’t be friends again? What if we form a business partnership and end up fighting all the time?”
“Then he buys you out, and you come back to work for me.” Laney brushes a strand of hair out of Hazel’s face. “Too much has happened for things to ever be the same between you two. But the special friendship you guys once shared is at the heart of your relationship. You’ll build on that.”
Hazel inhales a deep breath. “I hope you’re right. Talking to him again might help. Maybe I’ll pay him a visit during my lunch hour.”
Laney glances up at the wall clock. “You’re almost finished with the bouquets, and our orders for the afternoon delivery are ready. Why don’t you leave now? Take extra time if you need it.”
“Are you sure? I think I can catch him out at the farm.”
Laney shoos her away as she gathers up the armload of flower bouquets. “Go! I’ll put these in the display rack for you.”
“Thanks, Laney. You’re the best.” Hazel grabs her purse and heads out the back door to her car. Since meeting with Charles on Sunday, her excitement over the prospect of investing in Peak Adventures has grown. She’s even managed to forget about Davis for long stretches of time. A diversion like this is just what the doctor ordered. Now she needs Charles to reassure her it’s the right move for both of them.
Hazel finds him upstairs in the baby’s sunny yellow nursery, staring down at the empty crib. He’s a million miles away, and when she says his name, he startles.
“Hazel! I didn’t hear you come in. I was just thinking about how things could’ve been different if only . . .” His voice trails off as tears fill his eyes.
Hazel goes to stand beside him. “We can if only ourselves to death, but it won’t change anything.”
“Nope. You’re right.” He wipes his eyes with the backs of his hands. “How did your meeting go with the adoption counselor?”
Hazel’s shoulders slump. “Not great. The chances of me getting a newborn are slim. But foster homes are overflowing with older children who need parents. I’m not sure that’s the right choice for me, but I promised the counselor I’d think about it and call her in a few weeks.”
“It’s none of my business, but I think you should consider it. You would make a great mom to a child of any age.”
Hazel smiles at him. “Thank you for your vote of confidence.”
Charles turns his back on the crib. “So, what brings you out this way?”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about partnering with you in your business venture, but I have some reservations.”
He tilts his head sideways. “Such as?”
Hazel moves over to the window. “I’m worried now isn’t the right time, so soon after our separation.”
She hears footfalls on the wooden floor behind her, followed by his voice near her ear. “I understand your concern. We can wait six months or a year. Whenever you’re ready, the offer will still stand. Like I told you Sunday, I don’t need your money. I value your judgement, and I appreciate your love of the outdoors. You’re the ideal partner for me, plain and simple.”
She turns to face him. “But what if we can’t get along?”
“If I thought that would happen, I wouldn’t have suggested a partnership. But if it does, I’ll buy you out.”
A month ago, she would’ve thrown her arms around him and kissed his lips. But that urge no longer exists. Their marriage has been on the rocks for so long, perhaps she was more ready for divorce than she realized. “I need a few more days to think about it.”
“Take all the time you need.”
Hazel looks around the nursery one last time. She spent countless lonely hours in here, praying for a baby. Now that day will never come.
Charles presses his hand against the small of her back as they leave the nursery together without so much as a backward glance.
“You shouldn’t have to sort through all this alone,” Hazel says about the boxes piled high in the kitchen. “If you want some help, I can come back after work today. We have a wedding this weekend, but I’m free on Sunday.”
Charles smiles. “I won’t say no to an offer like that. I’ve hired Jamie as our Realtor. I assume you approve.”
“Of course. He knows everyone in town.” Hazel removes a lavender glass vase from the windowsill, dumps the dead daisies in the trash can, and slips the vase into her purse.
“Jamie suggested we get our personal items out but leave enough furniture to make the house appear lived in without looking cluttered. I’ve rented a storage unit for my stuff. We can get a unit for you on Sunday.”
“That would be great.”
Charles walks Hazel to her car and kisses her cheek in parting. Her spirits soar on the way back to town. For the first time in years, she’s hopeful about the future.