Page 81 of The Cherry Blossom Boathouse

Sophie took a grateful bite of the wrap she’d ordered. “Yep, don’t have a fortress disguised as a man questioning my life choices every five minutes.”

“Trouble in paradise?”

“Paradise has been downgraded to a war zone, I’m afraid.” As she said that, a dart of hurt shot through her.

Grace lowered her voice. “What happened?”

Sophie sighed and told Grace everything. “I know I should have told him from the start. But it just…never seemed like the right time.”

Grace tilted her head thoughtfully. “He’ll get over it. You’ve gotta remember, Luke Rhodes’ DNA is probably fifty percent lake water at this point, and after what happened with Claire—”

“The ghost of girlfriends past,” Sophie said with an eye roll.

“Not just Claire,” Grace said gently, “his mom, too. He’s used to the women he loves just leaving.”

Another jolt of pain.

The café door swung open then, bringing with it a gust of cool air and two women: Victoria and Abbey. Victoria scanned the café with her cool blue eyes before alighting on Sophie.

She marched over as Abbey rolled her eyes. “Mom, please,” Sophie heard her say under her breath.

“I met a very interesting purple-haired tourist this morning,” Victoria said. “She mentioned you’ve been financing your…project…through some sort of internet donation scheme?”

Sophie’s spine stiffened. “It’s called crowdfunding.”

“And a perfectly legitimate way to finance a small business,” Grace added.

“Hmm. Around these parts, if you want to start a business, you go to the bank or find a proper investor.” Sophie noticed Abbey flinch. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like having a mother like that. Sophie’s mum had been all smiles and kindness, whereas Victoria seemed intent on making those around her feel uncomfortable.

Victoria glanced at her daughter. “Isn’t that right, Abbey? That’s what you did when you took over the marina office?”

Abbey shifted uncomfortably. “Times change, Mother.”

“But some values shouldn’t,” Victoria countered, turning her attention back to Sophie. “That boathouse has been part of this community for generations. And now you’re what, turning it into some kind of trendy spectacle for your internet followers?”

Sophie set down her fork, any appetite now thoroughly extinguished. “I’m turning it into a bookshop. A place for the community to gather, read, connect.”

“After gutting its history.” Victoria sniffed. “Luke told Abbey you rejected the window he suggested.”

The words hit Sophie like a physical blow. Luke had talked to Abbey about that? The thought of him discussing her work and her decisions—criticizing them—with his gorgeous ex made something twist painfully inside.

“Yes, because it’s my boathouse,” Sophie said as other diners grew quiet to listen in. “I make the decisions.”

“Mother, come on,” Abbey said. “It is Sophie’s place and she has every right to choose which window she wants.”

Damn it. Beautiful and kind.

Mabel appeared at the table then, giving Victoria a cold look. “Everything all right over here?”

“Fine,” Sophie said quickly, gathering her things. “I was just leaving.”

“But you haven’t even—” Grace started, but Sophie was already standing.

She walked to the door, Abbey mouthing a sorry to her. Then she paused, turning to face the café’s occupants.

“I’m not here to please Luke, or any of you,” she said, looking specifically at Victoria. “This is my bookshop, my home. Mine. And I’ll run it how I see fit.”

Several other customers had turned to watch the exchange, including Abe. “For what it’s worth,” he said, “I think what you’re doing with the old boathouse is grand. This town needs more young blood, more new ideas.”