The ball sailed over second base, arcing perfectly into center field.
She ran to first, then second, her legs pumping, her breath sharp with joy.
The throw came in wild, and she sawAcenbehind the backstop fence waving her around third and shouting, “GO,GO,GO!”
She slid into home plate in a cloud of dust and laughter, safe by a mile.
The crowd exploded.
AndRose, grinning, looked up at the stars above the field lights and felt something deep inside her settle.
Not just closure.
Peace.
After the game, the crowd lingered, music playing from the portable speakerRileyhad somehow duct-taped to the backstop.Kidsdanced.Adultssipped sweet tea from plastic cups.AndRosestood near the cupcake table, handing out napkins and thank-yous.
Acen found her there, his shirt dusty, his eyes warm.
“You know you stole the show tonight, right?”
She handed him a mini lemon cupcake.“Thinkthe town’s forgiven me?”
“Forgiven you?”he said.“Theycelebratedyou.”
She looked out over the field, the lights, the laughter, the fading daylight.
“They didn’t have to.”
“No,” he said.“Butthey wanted to.”
He took a bite of the cupcake and added, mouth full, “Besides, you had ‘em at free baked goods.”
She laughed and leaned into him, her shoulder brushing his.“Youthink this is it?Thatit’s finally over?”
He looked down at her.“Ithink this is the beginning.”
She nodded, the soft hum of contentment in her chest growing louder.
“Then let’s see where it goes.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The morning after the charity event, the town felt hushed, as if it too were catching its breath.
PickwickBendhad shown up and shownout.AndRose’sinbox was full of messages from neighbors, classmates, even a couple of church ladies who’d recently given her the side-eye inPigglyWiggly.
She should’ve been celebrating.
But something still pulled at her.
Declan.
Her heart ached when she thought of him.Hiskind eyes and patient words.Theway he’d stepped close but never pushed.He’doffered steadiness when she’d been spinning, and she had clung to it longer than she should’ve.Longerthan was fair.
She owed him honesty.
So that afternoon, she tied her apron strings in a neat bow and twisted her hair into a lazy knot.Sheleft the coffee shop as it hummed along underCindy’scapable hands, and she walked the few blocks to the vet office.
