Chapter One
Cassie Alberta smiled at the sensation of the warm sun that shone down on her. A chilly winter had given way to a warmer than usual spring, and she intended to savor every minute of it. She dug the spade she held deep into the moist soil in front of her.
“Just make your hole big enough to hold the bulb. We don’t want to bury them too deep, or they won’t get the nutrients they need.” A woman dressed from head to toe in khaki strolled behind Cassie as she spoke. “We are going to have such beautiful blossoms in no time.”
Cassie envied the confidence that rippled off of Carol. After living much of her adult life in a penthouse in the city, she hadn’t had much gardening experience. She’d had a rooftop garden, but her late-husband, Michael, had gotten a gardener to tend it, because even though she had wanted to take care of it, he had thought she wasn’t capable.
When she’d bought her home in Little Leaf Creek, Sebastian Vail had been the one to help her plant and maintain her garden. When the library asked for volunteers to help with the garden, she’d jumped at the chance to learn as much as she could from the well-regarded horticulturalist that organized the event. The spring flowers were in full bloom and they were helping plant the flowers that would blossom in summer.
“Is this deep enough?” Cassie frowned as she eyed the hole in front of her.
“Maybe one more little scoop.” Sebastian leaned toward her and smiled. “This was such a great idea, I’m glad you talked me into it.”
“Ha, very funny.” Cassie scrunched up her nose as she scooped a bit more soil out of the hole. “As I recall, it didn’t take too much convincing. I’m so glad we’re here, it’s a beautiful day.”
“It’s so nice.” Anna laughed. “Spring has sprung. It’s just a pity Bo couldn’t join us.” Anna’s husband, Bo, was a farmer and a long-time close friend of Sebastian’s.
“Isn’t it just glorious?” Tamera dusted some dirt from her hands as she sat back on her heels and peered up at the sky. “I’d much rather be here than dealing with an impatient customer at the diner who wants his coffee the moment he orders it.” She rolled her eyes and groaned. Cassie smiled at the young waitress who she had become quite friendly with.
“Oh, they’re not all bad, are they?” Cassie met her co-worker’s eyes. “Sometimes they can be sweet.”
“To you, of course. They all love you.” Tamera huffed.
“Oh, they do, do they?” Sebastian raised an eyebrow as he looked between Tamera and Cassie. “Anyone in particular?”
“She’s being silly.” Cassie shook her head. “The only person at the diner that has superfans is Mirabel, and she has earned them after running the place for so many years.” She smiled at the thought of Mirabel Light, her ever-positive friend and boss.
“If you say so. Sebastian, I would suggest you show up for a lunch rush one day and see how many people request Cassie for their table.” Faye brushed a pile of weeds to the side. She glanced between them. She was a couple of years younger than Cassie and had started working at the diner, recently. She was fitting in well.
“But who can blame them? She is a sweetheart.” Tamera winked.
“That I agree with wholeheartedly.” Sebastian grinned as he wrapped his arm around Cassie’s waist. “I can’t blame them for being fans.”
“Ugh, I’m already sweaty.” Cassie wriggled free of his grasp. “Aren’t we supposed to be gardening here?”
“I think so.” Faye dodged a bee that flew straight toward her nose. “But the bees don’t seem to want us here.”
“A true sign of spring.” Sebastian ducked as the bee flew over the top of his head.
“Don’t worry, everyone, the bees are harmless. They won’t bother you, if you don’t bother them.” Carol laughed. “I can’t tell you how many people have run off screaming due to a little tiny bee. We need them here in our gardens. They’re essential for cross-pollination.”
“But they do sting, Carol.” A man shouted from the other side of the garden.
“Trust me, if you’re stung, it’s because you’ve done something to deserve it!” Carol frowned.
“Hey, Haden.” Sebastian waved to a young man that had walked out of the library. He didn’t respond as he ran down the sidewalk toward the shops.
“Well, he was in a hurry.” Cassie had only seen Haden at the diner a few times and didn’t know much about him. She looked from the direction the man had gone back at Sebastian. “He’s new to town, isn’t he?”
“He only recently got back into town.” Sebastian continued to dig the hole. “He’s a bit of a loner. Keeps to himself. He spent some time behind bars, but he’s a good guy.”
“You think everyone’s a good guy.” Cassie smiled at the fact that Sebastian seemed to see the best in everyone.
“I forgot to bring the bulbs out. I’ll have to run inside and get them.” Carol shook her head.
“I can grab them, if you want. I’ll get water as well.” Anna stood up and brushed her hands across the back of her pants. “I’m starting to get thirsty.”
“Great, thank you so much. They’re in the break room. Just let Angie or David know I said you could go in.” Carol turned her attention back to the group. “In the meantime, let’s make sure our bulbs have nice homes to be nestled into.”
“I better get going.” Faye smiled as she stood up. “My shift starts soon.”
“Okay. See you later.” Cassie waved goodbye, then continued digging the hole.
“It’s deep enough.” Sebastian gestured to the hole.
Cassie looked up at him, as he placed a light kiss on her cheek.
Cassie savored the warmth of his touch, until the sound of a scream shattered the sweet moment. Her entire body jolted in response to the sheer panic she heard. She jumped to her feet as shrill sirens blasted through the quiet morning.
“What’s going on?” Cassie looked at the approaching ambulance.
Sebastian wrapped his arm around her shoulders as the ambulance turned into the parking lot of the library.
“Everyone, stay calm.” Carol waved her hands to gather the volunteers close together. “I’ll go inside and see what’s happening. I’m sure it’s just a false alarm of some kind.”
Cassie’s curiosity ran through her in resistance to Carol’s instructions. Her heart pounded. Something terrible had happened. She could feel it deep in her bones.
“Sebastian, we should go in there.” She took a step forward.
“Wait, Cassie.” Sebastian pulled her gently back toward him. “If someone needs medical attention, having a crowd inside could interfere with that. Let’s just try to be patient.”
Cassie bit into her bottom lip. She wanted to agree with him. But she had an inkling that there was nothing the paramedics could do. The memory of that scream had her nerves still on edge. She held her breath as the paramedics rushed into the building.
How long had it been since Anna went into the building? She still hadn’t come back out. Cassie clenched her teeth. She glanced around at the other people gathered close. All wore the same concerned expression. The small size of Little Leaf Creek made it a close-knit community and she knew that whatever happened didn’t just happen to that individual, but to everyone who cared about the person.
“Sebastian, I have to go inside.” Cassie started to pull away from his grasp. Before she could, she caught sight of a few people running out of the library. Cassie felt some relief as she saw Anna among the group.
Cassie’s heart lurched at the expression etched across Anna’s features as she ran toward them. Yes, something terrible had happened!
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