Page 30 of Save a Wish

“Are you sure your family would be okay with this idea?” she asked.

As Sadie’s question still hung in the air between us, I caught sight of my mom and Jimmy out the window as they both approached my front door.

“We can find out right now,” I said as I opened the door. “Hey, Mom. Jimmy.”

“Oh, hey.” Mom’s brow furrowed. “How did you know we were out here?” She backed up a bit and scanned around my front door. “Do you have cameras out here?”

“I do,” I said, “but that’s not how I knew. My guest here was about to leave so we were right at the door.” I turned toward Sadie. “Mom, this is Sadie Rodgers. Sadie, this is the legendary Beth Hartley.”

Mom swatted my chest then looked at Sadie. “Legendary is his way of saying I’m old.”

“It is not.” I glanced at Jimmy. “Would you or would you not agree that my mother is a legend in Greenridge?”

“She is well known throughout the town,” Jimmy said, rubbing at his beard as he regarded my mother, his eyes full of admiration. “I’m sure there are youngsters that want to grow up to be her someday.”

“Oh, you two.” My mom rolled her eyes, but she adored what we were saying. “Hello, Sadie. This is Jimmy Slater.”

“We’ve actually met already,” Sadie said.

“She helped me with the hay.” Jimmy extended his arm then winced. “My elbow is sore today.”

My mother gave his arm a tender little rub then her attention was back on Sadie. “It’s lovely to meet you, Sadie.”

“The honor is all mine, Mrs. Hartley.” Sadie glanced back at me, a little smile tilting up her lips. “I must compliment you on raising such a generous and kind man. Beckett has spent his entire day helping me for free.”

My mom’s gaze instantly softened as she looked at me. “My Beckett is a good one, isn’t he?” She stepped closer to cup my cheeks. “He’s also intelligent and gifted with finances. He keeps Hartley’s Nest on budget.” She gently turned my head to the left then the right. “And he’s handsome too. Don’t you think so, Sadie?”

I hooked my fingers on my mother’s wrists to lower her hands. “Okay, Mom. That’s enough of that.”

“What? It’s a simple question,” my mother said.

“One with a simple answer,” Sadie said, but instead of supplying the answer, she popped back into my house to retrieve her tote bag and the singing bowl cases.

Did she think I was handsome or not? I was dying to know.

When she came back outside, however, she headed straight for her car. Jimmy immediately jogged over and opened the back passenger door to help her.

“She’s cute, Beckett,” Mom said quietly as Sadie loaded her things into the car and chatted with Jimmy. “Where did you find her?”

“Originally, I found her lying in a grassy field at Granite Cliff National Park,” I said. “I thought she was dead, but she was meditating. Then Vanessa and I ran into her again while shopping for clothes. Vanessa volunteered my skills when we found out Sadie wanted to start a business that offers services such as yoga and meditation.” I arrowed a thumb to my house behind me. “She gave me a phenomenal sound bath. Helping her will help the community.”

“You’re the best person to help her.” Mom turned her attention back to me. “And you like her. I can tell.”

I thrust my arm out toward Sadie. “What’s not to like? She looks like that and she’s very . . . I don’t know . . . very sweet.” I hadn’t thought so at first when she’d badmouthed my aura, but she’d actually been right. After spending the day with her, I had a different perspective on auras and on her.

Sadie and Jimmy made their way back over to us so we didn’t say any more, but the subject of liking Sadie cycled through my brain still.

“I told Sadie she should do a free event here at Hartley’s Nest to launch her business,” I said. “That’s fine with you, Mom, right?”

“Of course. This place is for the community—both the wildlife and the people.” Mom smiled at Sadie. “We’d love to have you do an event here.” She held up an index finger. “As long as you promise to incorporate nature into your offering.”

“That’s a promise I can absolutely agree to.” Sadie pressed her hands together in a prayer pose. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Hartley.” Her gaze landed on me again. “And thank you, Beckett, for everything. I can’t believe how much we accomplished today and that now I have a launch event to plan.” She bounced up and down a little. “I’m so excited!”

Seeing her excited made me excited.

“Plan out the event in terms of what you want to do,” Mom said, “then let Beckett know and we’ll handle whatever needs handling on our end.” She focused on me. “Jimmy and I came over here because Logan purchased the new generator for the farmhouse.” She held out some papers to me that Jimmy handed her from an inside pocket of his jacket. “He wanted these to get to you, and Jimmy and I were up for taking a walk so here you go.”

I took the papers—receipts and warranties for the generator. “Great. I’ll log this tonight.”