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“I know, love. I miss her too.” Gran covered her hand with one of her own.

Sadie blinked back tears, then forced a smile in place. “Speaking of copywriting, I need to head to Dani’s office so we can get flyers printed for the festival. Can you believe Ariel and Miss Dahlia are going to be performing?”

“It will be a great concert.” Gran gave Sadie’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ve known Ariel since she was a child. Sweetest little girl with the voice of an angel. Maybe she could give you some songwriting tips.”

“Maybe. We’ll see. If you’re going to be fine for a while, I’ll meet Dani now and be back before lunch.”

Pushing to her feet, Gran waved her away. “Take your time and enjoy Dani’s company. I’m going to read. Sally Jo Wilson sent me a signed copy of her newest release. I helped her with research when she decided her heroine’s family needed to own a bakery. And maybe I’ll rest my eyes.”

Once Gran was settled in her favorite chair, Sadie made sure her water cup was full and that she had her phone.

“Call me if you need anything.” Sadie lifted her small sling bag off the hook by the door and draped it over her chest. Grabbing her reusable water bottle, she blew Gran a kiss and headed back out the front door.

Asher was gone. And he cleaned up all the painting tools.

It was as if he’d never been there.

Except the newly repainted railing testified to his presence.

She really needed to get a grip. She didn’t have the time or the emotional bandwidth to be interested in another guy.

She opened the side garage door and wheeled out Gran’s mint-green retro cruiser bike. She dropped her water bottle inthe front wicker basket, closed the door behind her, and headed for the narrow dirt road.

As she pedaled down Sugar Maple Lane past Gran’s cottage, she turned toward the Quinn property. Gus and Ginger grazed in the pasture behind the barn, their tails swishing.

No sign of Asher…that she could tell from the road.

Why did she even care?

He was becoming more intrusive in her thoughts.

She needed to keep her focus on the festival. And caring for Gran, which also included getting the bakery ready to go back on the market.

Sadie returned her attention back to the road as a gray rabbit darted in her path. She jammed the pedals backward to lock the coaster brakes.

Instead of stopping, the rear end of the bike started skidding. Sadie jerked the handlebars to veer around the animal that stopped in front of her and stared.

The bike wobbled. Sadie tried to regain control. Before she could counter-steer, the bike toppled sideways, pitching her into the grass along the side of the road.

She face-planted in a patch of white and purple clover. She came eye to eye with a yellow jacket.

Sadie pressed a hand against the ground and pushed herself up. A sharp, sudden pain lanced the side of her thumb. A dark, sliver-like splinter protruded from her left hand, which started to throb.

“Sadie! Are you okay?”

She turned her head. Asher raced across the grass toward her.

“Perfect. Just perfect.” Wasn’t it every girl’s dream to have a hot guy view her misfortune?

Sadie tried to push herself up again, but her left hand burned, and her right shoulder ached.

Asher dropped to his knees in the grass next to her. “Hey, you okay?”

Sadie closed her eyes. Partly to avoid staring into his and partly hoping the earth would develop a sudden sinkhole and swallow her so Asher wouldn’t witness her humiliation.

He braced her shoulders gently. “Can you stand?”

She nodded, not trusting her voice.