They hadn’t seen each other since the night of the festival, when he dropped her off at the Figgs’ house. He’d kissed her there on the porch as the night’s strange wind fluttered the edges of his clothes, slid down his arms, and stole his words.

Standing in front of her now, he still felt like that wind was carrying away his words as fast as he could think them. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and he reached out and caught her hand in his. “I’ve missed you.”

“It’s only been a few days.”

“I know. And I’ve missed you for all of them.”

She squeezed his fingers.

“That was a crazy night. I still can’t believe everything that happened with Ms. Violet and Ms. Trudy.” He frowned. “I’ve known them a long time. I had no idea they’d been through something so terrible.”

“I know. They’re pretty strong women. And I think they’re going to be okay,” Maya said. “There was something about that wind—”

“Right?” He took a step toward her. “I felt it too. It did some crazy things.” His cheeks heated, remembering their kiss and standing so close to her on the porch that night, like there’d been a magnet in the center of her chest, pulling hard on the center of his.

“Hello there, Tyler,” came a man’s voice from behind Maya. Tyler blinked and looked over her shoulder. Billy Olsen walked toward him with his granddaughter propped on his hip. Mr. Olsen raised horses on a farm nearby, and he was one of the store’s best customers. He was also a widower helping to raise his new granddaughter.

“Hi, Mr. Olsen. How you doing?”

“Oh, pretty good. I came in for a couple of your chicks. I figure Maisie would like to have some chickens running around the farm. I can teach her how to collect the eggs one day.”

“I’m sure she’ll like that.” Tyler put his hand on Maya’s back. “Mr. Olsen, this is my . . .” He trailed to a stop. Thankfully, Maya stepped in.

“I’m Maya.” She extended her hand. “Is Maisie your granddaughter?”

“Sure is. I’m watching her a couple days a week while her mama works in town.”

“I bet she’ll love learning about the farm as she gets older.”

Tyler watched as Maya chatted easily with Mr. Olsen. She was a different person now from the pensive, closed-off girl she’d been when he first met her. He couldn’t have imagined that when she finally opened up, he’d be there to see it.

“I’m trying to put together a bedroom for her at my house,” Mr. Olsen said. “I have a crib set up, but I can’t find the mobile we used to have for our girls when they were babies. I thought it might be in the attic, but I think Barbara probably got rid of it years ago.”

“You want a mobile?” Maya asked. “I know just the thing. It’s in our shop downtown, Two Sisters. Do you know it?”