Page 54 of Lost and Found

Hope spirals upward from the center of my chest.

I can see it. A farm with guests and school groups, pottery and pastries. I've never taught a baking class, but I had a couple of apprentice bakers at my bakery who I enjoyed showing the ropes.

I shut down the hope. This is not the first time I've felt this way. I've seen a dream come to fruition. And I've had my heart broken when it all came crashing down.

Hailey seems nice enough, but I don't know her. My closest friend not only took my business from me, she lied about me and attempted to destroy my career. How can I possibly trust a stranger?

"What's in it for you?" I ask.

Hailey doesn't look taken aback. In fact, my question and the glare I'm shooting her almost seem to make her happier. She is nothing like Ranger. "Like I said, a sanctuary farm would help the community, but it would especially help me. I hate having to turn animals away from the shelter and I've only been running it for a week." She shrugs. "Plus, most of my friends from high school aren't living in town anymore and I'm bored. I can't think of anything I'd rather do with my free time than help you. The shelter keeps me pretty busy, but I can at least give advice and input when you need it."

"You put all this together in your free time? It's been less than a week since Honey and I started talking about creating a sanctuary farm."

She smiles. "Like I said, I've got no social life. Most of this is stuff I already had for the shelter and the rest is really just ideas and best guesses. I'd need more time to give you more concrete numbers and projections."

"This is amazing, guesswork or not. I don't feel right about taking it for free."

She shrugs, way too laid back for me to believe she's for real. "You're going to have to get used to it if you want to run a nonprofit. People are going to love what you're doing and want to help. For free."

No one is this nice or this generous without an ulterior motive. The hollow feeling in my chest at the idea of being blackballed again is a panic reaction based purely on emotion. I can acknowledge that, but it doesn't make me feel any better. "I need to discuss this with Honey."

She leans back, expression neutral as though she's suppressing her emotions, and for some reason that eases some of my worry. She's not trying to deceive me or push me to accept her help. She's repressing her honest excitement to appear more professional. I can relate to that. "Of course," she says. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere. Catalpa Creek is my forever home."

"You love it here that much?"

"Possibly more. But no pressure. Trust is the foundation of the best partnerships. I'd rather miss out on this opportunity than have it go bad because you agreed to work with me without trusting me. Especially given your relationship with my brother."

"Your brother? I—"

"Here you are. Aren't you supposed to be working, Dandelion?" Grant appears seemingly from nowhere and takes the seat next to his sister. The teasing tone in his voice shocks me.

I prefer his antagonism.

I know what to do with that.

"Um, I'm just…" I glance at my watch. "Crap. My break has been over for ten minutes. I need to get back in there."

"Ignore my brother," Hailey says. "He's not your boss. And I can guarantee Lazy's not concerned about you taking a longer break. Your pastries have been great for business."

"Even so. I really should get back in there." I stand and start to walk away.

"Take the binder," Hailey calls after me.

I turn and grab the binder. "Honey and I will be in touch."

I'm halfway to the bookstore when Ranger catches up with me. "I wasn't trying to chase you away, Dani. Hailey's right, Lazy's not worried about you taking a long break."

I spin to face him and suck in a sharp breath. I hadn't really looked at him until right now. I'd been too flustered.

His eyes are bright in the morning sunlight, and the scruffy beginnings of a beard on his face make him look rugged and a bit wild. Like maybe he's not entirely the rule follower he seems to be. He's in a pale green t-shirt a touch too tight for him. It accentuates his lean muscles and looks soft enough to be the perfect place to rest my cheek while he hugs me tight and tells me everything is going to be okay.

I jerk back at the thought. What the actual hell is wrong with me? "You might have been teasing. But you can't deny there's a part of you expecting me to fail. You think I'm a silly woman who lacks the common sense to pay attention to things like rules and camping fees, but I've got a strong work ethic. I keep my promises and I show up and work my ass off."

His expression softens in the face of my anger and defensiveness. "I know."

"What?"

"I know, Dani. You work hard for Lazy. I've seen you sacrifice your own well-being for a lost cow. I know you work your ass off for other people and give all of yourself to any person or animal you think needs it. It's okay to take a few minutes for yourself. I'll never judge you for that."

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