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When they were done, they tossed their trash in the large can by the vendor stall and walked back to the car. “Now what?” Harry asked, resting his arm on top of the car and looking at her with a quizzical glance.
“Let’s drive beside the park.”
Long ago, the town had been established around a beautiful green space two blocks long, similar to a university quad. In the very center of the park stood a charming gazebo.
On every side of the grassy rectangle, Blossom Branch’s businesses thrived, most of them with a peach theme. Some were old and well established. Others came and went.
At the moment, Blossom Branch was in the midst of summer tourist season. People arrived in large numbers to buy fresh peaches and to shop in the charming town. And sometimes—to spend the night. Later, July and August would be marked by parades and artisan showcases. Cate and Harry had just missed the Peach Festival at the first of the month.
She lowered her window as Harry cruised the narrow streets. “I don’t know why I don’t come more often,” she said. “I love it here.”
“Me, too.”
The truth was, Cate’s grandparents came to Atlanta frequently, so she saw them on a regular basis. But for Cate, making time to visit Blossom Branch hadn’t been a top priority since college. She regretted that now.
When they had satisfied Cate’s curiosity, Harry turned at a stop sign and headed toward the address where Cate’s grandparents had lived for five decades. Though only three streets from the center of town, the distance was enough to create a quiet lane where tricycles and basketball goals filled driveways.
Harry pulled into the carport and shut off the engine. “I assume you have a key,” he said.
“About to...” Cate jumped out and stepped behind the house. In a tiny chink between bricks in the foundation, she found a familiar key chain. “Got it,” she said, returning to the car.
Harry grabbed the two bags and followed Cate inside. “This is nice,” he said.
Cate smiled. “Grammy and Grandpa updated over the years without sacrificing charm. Back when they bought this property, it was one of only a few occupied lots on the street. They built a big house, assuming they would have several children. But my mom ended up being an only.”
“Where are we sleeping?” Harry asked.
“I don’t think either of us would feel comfortable taking the main bedroom on this floor.”
“Um, no.” Harry shook his head.
“Well, upstairs there are two sets of bedrooms with Jack and Jill baths in between. If we each take one end of the house, we won’t have to share.”
“And I won’t hear you snore,” he said, deadpan.
“Be nice,” she chided.
Harry just laughed.
After Cate adjusted the AC and turned on all the ceiling fans downstairs, they went up to make the second floor comfortable. The air was a little stale, but soon began to cool down.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Cate felt awkward. What was she doing sharing a house with Prescott Harrington? This was weird, right? Shouldn’t she be here with Gabby? Or Leah? Why was Harry feeling more and more important to her?
He put her bag in one of the bedrooms and turned to walk away.
“Wait,” she said. “It’s not late. Do you want to go for a walk? We spent a lot of time in the car.”
He shook his head, his expression impossible to read. “I think I’ll catch up on email. Do they even have internet?” he asked.
Cate stifled her disappointment. “Of course. My grandparents always keep up with the latest tech. They usually leave the password in the bedside table drawers. If you can’t find it, let me know.”
She and Harry were going to be sleeping far closer here than in his huge Atlanta apartment. But at the moment, the distance between them seemed impossibly wide.
“Good night,” he said.
She fought the urge to ask him again about the walk. “We didn’t make any breakfast plans.”
Harry shrugged. “Let’s be spontaneous. I’ll see you in the morning.”
