“I mean, it’s a wonderful idea and a wonderful opportunity,” Marion hastened to add, “but I don’t want you to see me as a charity case.”
Alfie shook his head emphatically. “I don’t.”
“And I don’t want you to do this for other reasons,” she continued, feeling heat rise to her cheeks as she alluded to what had grown between them.
Alfie’s brows drew together in confusion. “ Other reasons?” Then understanding dawned in his eyes. “Oh no, it’s not like that. That’s why I ran the idea past Daisy,” he blurted. “She is levelheaded and would have shot me down if she thought I was doing it for other reasons.”
Marion let out a long breath, considering his words. Could she take this risk? If it didn’t work out, she would struggle financially...and worse…she might lose Alfie. But if it did work out...
“We could draw up a business plan,” Alfie suggested, his tone shifting to something more professional.
“Figure out pricing, placement, and marketing strategy. I think your soaps would be especially popular with our regular customers who come for plants, especially herbs, with therapeutic properties.”
Marion nodded slowly, her mind racing with ideas. “I could experiment with different essential oil blends. Lavender and chamomile for relaxation, eucalyptus and mint for clarity...”
“Exactly!” Alfie’s eyes lit up. “We could create displays that pair your soaps with the corresponding plants. Customers could see the lavender growing, then purchase your soap made with its essence.”
The idea was brilliant in its simplicity. It would connect her creations directly to the natural world, to the very plants that inspired them. Charlie would love the idea! And so did she.
“I’d need to figure out how to increase production,” Marion mused, already mentally calculating the supplies she’d need. “And develop consistent packaging.”
“We have plenty of space you could use,” Alfie went on. “And Daisy mentioned she has a friend who designs beautiful labels.”
Marion looked across the café to where Daisy was leaning on the counter talking to Welland. She smiled. It seemed as if they also shared a connection.
“So, what do you think?” Alfie asked.
“I think,” Marion said slowly, turning back to Alfie, “that I’d like to see that business plan.”
Alfie’s face lit up with a smile so bright it rivaled the morning sun streaming through the window. “Really? That’s fantastic! I can draft something over the next couple of days, and we can go over it together.”
His enthusiasm was contagious, and Marion found herself smiling back. “I should warn you, I have very little business experience. My background is in administrative work.”
“That’s perfect,” Alfie assured her. “You already understand organization and systems. The creative part—the soap making—you’ve clearly mastered. The rest we can figure out together.”
Together. The word hung between them, full of promise.
“And if it doesn’t work out?” Marion asked, needing to voice her deepest fear.
Alfie grew serious. “Then we try something else. But it will work, Marion. I believe in you and your products.”
The sincerity in his voice made her throat tighten with emotion. When was the last time someone had believed in her like that?
“You really think people would buy them?” she asked, allowing herself to believe it might be possible.
“I know they would,” Alfie replied with such certainty that Marion couldn’t help but trust him. “Your creations are special, Marion. Just like you.”
His hand reached across the table, covering hers with gentle warmth. The contact sent that now-familiar spark through her, a reminder of last night’s kiss under the stars.
“It sounds perfect,” she admitted. “Almost too perfect.”
“And that’s a problem?” Alfie prompted gently, his eyes searching hers.
“I need some time to think about it,” she said finally. “It’s a big decision.” What was she doing? Why didn’t she trust in Alfie, and believe in herself?
Alfie’s face fell slightly, though he quickly masked his disappointment with a nod. “Of course. Take all the time you need. No pressure.”
“Thank you for understanding,” Marion said, feeling guilty at the shadows that had crept into his eyes. “Would you excuse me for a moment?”
In the small bathroom, Marion gripped the edge of the sink and stared at her reflection. Her eyes looked tired, wary. The eyes of someone who had learned to expect the worst.
“Why are you doing this?” she whispered to herself. “Alfie is not Razor.”
The memory of the man who had ruined her sister’s life flashed into her mind. Razor, with his charming smile that never reached his eyes and his grand promises he had never fulfilled. And the way he’d manipulated Heather until she couldn’t recognize herself anymore.
Marion had watched her once-vibrant sister transform into a hollow-eyed stranger who defended Razor even as he destroyed their lives. Heather had believed in him, trusted him, and Marion had trusted her sister’s judgment. Until it was too late and Heather had lost everything. Including her son.
“Alfie is different,” she told her reflection firmly. “He’s kind. Genuine.”
The kiss they’d shared last night had been real. The connection between them was real. She was being paranoid, letting old fears poison something beautiful before it had a chance to grow.
Taking a deep breath, Marion smoothed her hair and squared her shoulders. She would accept Alfie’s offer. They would build something together, both the soap business and whatever was blossoming between them.
She pushed open the bathroom door, a smile already forming on her lips, then froze.
Alfie stood near their table, holding hands with another woman. They were laughing together, looking relaxed and…intimate. As Marion watched, the woman leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to Alfie’s cheek. His face lit up with a wide, delighted grin that made Marion’s stomach clench.
Before either could notice her, Marion ducked back into the bathroom, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs. She leaned against the door and squeezed her eyes shut.
How could she have been so stupid? So na?ve? Of course, someone like Alfie—handsome, funny, and kind—would already have someone in his life. The kiss they’d shared clearly hadn’t meant to him what it had to her.
Humiliation burned through her, followed quickly by anger—at herself more than Alfie. She’d let her guard down and started to believe in fairy tales again.
“Fool me once,” she whispered bitterly, thinking of how Heather had insisted Razor was different, special, misunderstood.
Marion splashed cold water on her face, willing her hands to stop shaking. She needed to leave—now—before she had to face Alfie and pretend she hadn’t seen anything. She couldn’t bear to hear his explanations or, worse, his pity.
Pulling out her phone, she texted him quickly: Something came up with Charlie. Have to go. Talk later.
It wasn’t her proudest moment, using Charlie as an excuse, but she needed to escape. Time to think, to rebuild her walls before facing Alfie again.
She waited until she heard the distinctive chime of his phone receiving her message, then slipped out of the bathroom and headed straight for the side exit, keeping her head down. The bright morning that had seemed so full of promise now felt harsh and mocking as she hurried to her car.
As she drove away, tears blurred her vision. One kiss under the stars, and she’d forgotten everything life had taught her about trust and caution. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Marion drove through Bear Creek’s winding streets, trying to organize her thoughts. Charlie would be in school for hours yet—she had time to pull herself together before he saw her. The last thing he needed was to see her upset, to have his own fragile happiness threatened.
As she pulled up on the drive, her phone buzzed with a text from Alfie: Is Charlie okay? Can I help?
But Alfie’s concern for Charlie made everything worse somehow.
Another text followed quickly: About the business proposal. No pressure. Just know the offer stands regardless.
What could she say? That she’d been ready to say yes until she’d seen him with another woman? That she’d foolishly believed their connection was unique and special?
That she’d started to fall in love with him?
The realization hit her with stunning clarity. She wasn’t just attracted to Alfie, wasn’t just grateful for his kindness to Charlie. She was falling in love with him.
And now she had to stop before it was too late. But deep down, she knew it already was too late.
Alfie Thornberg owned her heart.