Page 22 of Ember’s Heart

Ember

I t was Friday. The day of my date with Colton.

Just one. My stomach fluttered with a nervous energy that felt both unfamiliar and disturbingly familiar.

Could I really do this? Could I open myself up to him again, after all this time, all this hurt?

Trusting him felt like stepping out onto a frozen lake, the terrifying potential it could crack and send me plunging into the icy water.

It felt surreal, almost laughable, that after all these years of knowing each other, this was our very first official date.

All that history, all those unspoken feelings, all the pain—and we were just now going on a “first date.” It felt like a lifetime of build-up for something so simple, yet so monumentally terrifying.

Yet… lately, I couldn’t deny he had been different.

He was showing a genuine effort. Dad had mentioned his plans for the horseback riding program for kids, and Garrett said he told Colton to ask me for help wi th getting the word out.

He still hasn’t asked for my help, but I got a surge of excitement at the prospect.

It was a wonderful idea, something that would bring so much joy to the community.

And then there were the long hours he was putting in for Habitat for Humanity, building the Moore family’s home.

When I stopped by the other day, I watched Colton from my car before I got out, and even from a distance, I could see the strain on his face sometimes, the way he seemed to move a little stiffly.

I was starting to see glimpses of the man I had fallen in love with so long ago.

Hope was beginning to bloom in my heart, I wanted to allow myself to feel again, to believe that maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to start over.

Colton and I never got our chance at being together in that way, but we were always friends.

There had always been a deep connection between us, one that started to change as we got older.

But as hopeful as I was, there was still a voice in my head telling me to be cautious.

I spent the morning uploading the next video in the cooking series Mom was doing. This week she made Mississippi pot roast, using potatoes and peppers from the farm. She also made her delicious raspberry-peach pie, the crust made from scratch of course.

Reading the wonderful reviews that were pouring in filled me with a sense of pride.

I couldn’t believe how many people were tuning in each week to watch Mom’s cooking.

And thanks to the positive response from the videos, we had already received over a hundred subscriptions for the Farm to Table meal kits. Things were really looking up.

Later that afternoon, I tagged along with Avery to take Lila to the local library for the kids’ book club.

While Lila joined the other kids for story time, Avery and I found a couple of comfy armchairs in a quieter corner.

“You seem… distracted,” Avery said, nudging me with her elbow. “How are you feeling about your date tonight?”

I sighed, a nervous flutter in my stomach.

“I don’t know, Avery. I agreed to one date with Colton.

But a huge part of me is already thinking about the prospect of it being more.

And I hate how excited I get, because I can’t stop that little voice in my head telling me to not get my hopes up.

I did before and got my heart broken. I can’t go through that again.

” I chewed on my lip, the familiar anxiety tightening in my chest. “He said he’s going to get help, talk to someone.

That’s… big. But is it enough? Is it real?

Or are they just words he thinks I want to hear? ”

Avery reaches over to squeeze my hand, her touch is warm and reassuring.

“Hey,” she says softly, her usual playful demeanor replaced with genuine empathy.

“It’s okay to be excited, Em. And it’s okay to be scared.

You guys were so young back then. Life throws some serious curveballs, and sometimes people don’t know how to handle them.

I didn’t know either of you then, but it seems Colton is really trying, Em.

Just take it one step at a time. One date.

See how it goes. You’re strong. You’ll be okay no matter what happens. ”

Just then, a familiar face comes walking over. It was Lori. I knew her from seeing her around town, mostly at the library where she worked, and she’d even been out to the farm a couple of times. We weren’t close like me and Avery, but she was very friendly and was someone I’d like to get to know.

“Hi, Avery. Ember,” Lori said, her voice soft and a little hesitant. “Lila’s enjoying story time, I see.”

“She is,” Avery replied, gesturing towards the group of children. “ She absolutely loves coming here. Starting a kids club was a great idea the library had.”

Lori smiled, her gaze then turning to me. “How are you, Ember? I saw your mom’s latest cooking video online. That raspberry-peach pie looked absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try it.”

“Oh, thank you, Lori,” I said, smiling proudly. “It’s a family favorite. We’ve been having a lot of fun making those videos.”

Our conversation was suddenly interrupted by a burst of loud laughter erupting from the children’s story time circle. Avery chuckled, shaking her head. “Seeing how much fun they’re having makes me think we need a women’s book club.’”

My ears perked up at Avery’s words. A women’s book club? The idea was instantly appealing. I was about to second Avery’s suggestion when Lori cleared her throat, a hesitant but excited look on her face.

“Actually,” Lori began, her voice a little shy, “I’ve actually been thinking about starting a women’s book club. I’ve even jotted down a few ideas for books. There’s still a lot to figure out, and I’m not sure how many people would even be interested.”

Avery grinned, while her eyes lit up. “ Well I’m interested.

A women’s book club. Some adult time. No sticky fingers, no demanding little voices.

Yes, sign me up. And,” she leaned in grinning from ear to ear, lowering her voice, “maybe we can even read some really dirty, smutty books!” She winked, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Lori’s blush deepened, but a small, shy smile formed on her lips.

“Lori, that’s brilliant!” I exclaimed. “I’d love to join too!”

Lori’s shy smile turned into a genuine grin. “Really? Oh, that’s… that’s wonderful!”

“Absolutely,” Avery chimed in. “We could meet somewhere like Rose’s Bean and Brew?”

“That would be perfect!” Lori agreed, enthusiastic. “Sunday’s the Fourth of July, so how about we meet Tuesday evening? We could just chat about what kind of books we’re interested in and make a plan.”

After exchanging numbers with Lori and making plans to meet at Rose’s Bean and Brew, Lori excused herself to get back to work.

Avery and I begin gathering up our stuff, ready to head out, when an excited Lila comes barreling towards us.

“Mommy! Mommy! Look! We read a story about a unicorn that could bake cookies!” Lila exclaimed, her face flushed with excitement. “Can we get ice cream now? Please? Pleasepleaseplease?”

Avery chuckled, ruffling Lila’s hair. “Alright, I suppose we could.”

“I think I’m going to head home,” I say, pre-date jitters washing over me. “I still have absolutely no idea what I’m going to wear tonight.”

Avery’s expression softened with understanding. “How about I come over? I can help you sort through your closet. I’m sure we can find you something to wear that’ll leave Colton speechless.”

Lila, overhearing, bounces up and down. “Yay! Can we? Can we? Please? I want to see the horses! And help Richard feed them! And I can bake cookies with Laura again? Please?” Her enthusiasm was infectious.

I smiled, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “I would love that. And I bet my mom would love to make cookies with you again.”

Avery grinned. “Sounds like a plan! Ice cream first, then a fashion rescue mission at Ember’s.”