Page 28 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Beverly’s lips pursed. “Emalee Abbott? Where are you, dear? The Dogtrot is right near the pavilion. It just makes so much sense.”

“No,” Zach said firmly, cutting her off.

Beverly blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“She’s not doing it this year,” Zach repeated, his voice even but resolute. “She’s helped you the last two years. I’d like my wife to enjoy the event instead of running herself ragged.”

Beverly opened her mouth but was interrupted by a squawk from the back.

“Doc Zach’s bringing sexy back!”

The room erupted into laughter as Mayor Sterling fluffed his feathers proudly.

“Hello to you, too, Mayor,” Zach called with a grin.

Once the laughter settled, someone in the back called, “Why does it have to be a pancake breakfast?”

“Yeah,” several others chimed in. “It’s the same every year!”

“Boring,” someone added.

Beverly faltered. “Well, it’s tradition. But I guess we could do a car wash?”

“Boo!” someone shouted over a collection of groans.

“A bake sale?”

More groans followed.

“Well, what do you all want to do?” she snapped, her composure cracking.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. A thought had been bubbling in my head, but I wasn’t sure if I should voice it.

Chase leaned closer. “What is it?”

“I have an idea, but…it’s di fferent.”

He smiled, eyes warm. “Say it. Can’t be worse than a car wash.”

I took a breath. “How about a barn dance?”

No one could hear me over the conversations that had sprung up. Chase stood and put his fingers in his mouth and let out a sharp whistle that cut through the chatter. It grew quiet again. He looked at me and smiled.

I stood up as he sat down. “How about a barn dance?”

Beverly squinted into the audience. “Who said that?”

“I did.”

Beverly’s eyes zoomed in on me where I stood. “Oh. You .”

Her tone made my spine straighten. “Yes. Me.”

“I don’t think?—”

“I do,” a voice called from the back. A tall, lanky man with a coonskin cap perched on his head and a silver-streaked beard stood.

He looked like a relic from the frontier.

“Used to have barn dances all the time when I was a boy. Folks danced, laughed, shared food—brought the whole town together. Sounds perfect to bring that back.”

“Now, Hans, I don’t think—” Beverly began.

But she was drowned out by a chorus of support. People clapped. Others nodded. Even Mayor Sterling chimed in with a cheery, “Barn dance, barn dance!” as he tapped around on the table in front of Rich Bowen.

Beverly’s mouth opened, then closed again.

I glanced at Chase, who gave me a quiet, proud smile.

“But where would we even have it?” she asked.

“Silver Creek Farm,” Chase called out without hesitation.

There was an excited buzz spreading throughout the room.

“But what about the animals? That much noise in the woods will scare all of my creatures!” Matilda Espey, better known as Crazy Tiller, rose to her feet with a dramatic flair.

Immediately, people began speaking behind their hands as they took in her camo jacket that covered a sequined ball gown.

Hans didn’t miss a beat. “Tillie, the only thing that scares your ‘creatures’ is a locked trashcan. If they can survive you, they can survive a little fiddle music.”

The room broke into laughter. Tillie huffed, but sat back down.

“I’ll even organize it,” I added.

Beverly’s mouth dropped open. “You will?”

I nodded. “I’ve organized several fundraisers. And I think the cause is a lovely idea. I believe in this town, and I’ll make sure it’s a success for both the community and the people it will help.”

There was a beat of silence. Then Bristol stood beside me, buffing her fingernails against her shirt as if she was bored. “I’ll be happy to help.”

Beverly looked downright sick.

Hans laughed from the back. “Well, if this don’t beat all. I’ll bring the drinks.”

Beverly gasped. “Absolutely not!”

As we sat, I cast a confused look at Bristol. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Last time Hans brought drinks to a community event, it caused a minor catastrophe. Animals on tables and food everywhere. It was for Derby Day. It was epic.”

“He spiked the punch?”

She winked at me. “Let’s just say the drinks he makes are by the light of the moon.”

My eyes widened, then I burst into laughter. “I thought that was illegal. ”

“Only if you get caught. And no one, least of all Reid, really wants to catch him, so…” She shrugged her shoulders. “He’s kind of a legend around here.”

“Let’s make it a real barn dance,” someone shouted. “Live music!”

“And a pie contest!” another chimed in.

The ideas were snowballing, building into a genuine wave of enthusiasm. Multiple people called out what they were willing to contribute. Beverley’s shoulders drooped as she sat down.

Mayor Bowen raised the gavel again. “Well, I think we’ve got our fundraiser. Thank you, Anna—and everyone—for stepping up. Let’s make this one to remember.”

Mayor Sterling flapped his wings and added, “Let’s dance! Let’s dance!”

As the meeting drew to a close and folks began filing out of the room, several stopped to offer ideas or volunteer help. A few simply said, “Welcome back.”

Beverly pushed her way through the crowd to reach us. She cleared her throat, clearly trying to reassert control. “I’ll need you to make sure everything goes through the proper channels…”

“I’ll check in with you when I’m ready, Beverly,” I said, calm but firm. Turned out navigating egos in Nashville had been of some benefit. “Wouldn’t dream of leaving you out.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she forced a tight smile. “Of course.”

I held Chase’s hand as we walked out into the cool night air, heart pounding, but in a good way.

“You crushed it,” he said, eyes twinkling.

“I just hope I can pull it off. I sort of got caught up in the moment.”

“You will. You’re not doing it alone.”

I smiled, already spinning with ideas—hay bales, lanterns, a fiddle band, food tables, and a dance floor under the stars. For the first time since returning, I wasn’t just standing on the edge of this town.

I was stepping right into the middle of it. And I was excited.