Beneath The Autumn Sky

Willow Haven curved sharply, flanked by towering pine trees on one side and the endless expanse of ocean on the other.

to her hometown felt like stepping back into an old pair of shoes-familiar but ill-fitting. She hadn't been back

s for a moment. The house stood just as she remembered it-quaint and welcoming, with ivy curling

t of pine. It grounded her in a way she hadn't expected. With slow, deliberate steps, she made her way t

s, and crocheted doilies adorned the furniture. A framed photograph of her grandpa

in the quiet of the town she once called home. Yet standing here,

Turning, she found her childhood friend, Mia Caldwe

wung the door open and pulled her i

sion easing slightly. "Hey, Mia. I

ping back to study her. "You look...

you," Grace replied

tening. "I heard about the bakery. I'm

weight of her failure. "It is what it is. I

eaking of being here, you couldn't have picked a better ti

hook he

erseeing the project-is working on turning the old lighthouse property into something

yebrow. "Why woul

ne still remembers your strawberry tarts fr

about it. It's a great way to reconnect with the community,

to get involved. Yet Mia's enthusiasm was infectious, and t

bout it," she

ned. "Now, let's get you set

lling the cottage. By the time Mia left, the sun had set, and G

Sunlight streamed through the lace curtains, painting the room in warm, golden hues. Sh

Willow Haven was just as picturesque as she remembered, with its cobblestone streets

e debated whether to go inside when

u're blocking

ll and broad-shouldered with sharp, angular features and piercing blue eyes. His dark hair was slig

muttered, s

r a polite nod and moved

sappear inside. Something about him see

hthouse property. The site was bustling with activity, construction equipment scattered acro

ra

aching, clipboard in hand an

just about to introduce you to Luca

otest, Mia was draggi

ia called

from his blueprints, his expre

s is Grace Delaney, my best friend a

nd, his gaze steady

tion of a second before sh

ing with the fundraiser. Maybe she cou

elp we can get. The fundraiser's cruc

Grace said quickly, feeling her chee

, though there was a hint

w that you two have met, I'll leave you to

est, Mia was gone, leav

s chest. "Are you always this enthusiasti

by his dry humor. "I didn't say

enough. But if you do decide to help, let M

p but smile. "I'll

yes was a puzzle, and she wasn't sure she wanted to solve it. But something about

ight. Getting involved might