They sobered, waiting silently.

“We all know why we’re here, why we’ve come back. Longbourne needs us. Mom and Dad need us. Their future depends on this shop. And I know we can save it all, but not if things stay the same. We have a legacy, but there’s nothing fresh about our presence. We have no social media to speak of. Our website hasn’t been current since 1999. The storefront hasn’t changed in fifty years. We have no window display, no aesthetic, no vibe. Longbourne’s been left untended for so long, it’s overgrown and being choked to death by proverbial weeds. How’s the money, Marcus?”

His brows drew together, his lips flattening. “Not good. The finances have been mismanaged for a decade. The debts are so substantial, Marty shouldn’t have been depositing anything into our trusts. If we doubled the shop’s income tomorrow, it would take us somewhere around five years to really get back on track.”

A sigh, deep and painful in my ribs. “Do we have any capital to work with?”

“After buying the shop, acquiring the debts, and trying to figure out how much we’re actually making, I only have a little capital left to invest. So we’d better have a workable plan.”

“Shoestring budget—got it. I can work with that.”

“To do what?” he asked dubiously.

“Implement phase one: give this place a complete facelift.”

“What do you have in mind?” Laney asked, her excitement visible in the lighting of her eyes and straightening of her spine.

“Storefront first—that place is a cave. I mean, when was the last time the windows were cleaned? The brick is dark, the ceiling dark … I say we paint everything white.”

Laney, Tess, and Ivy perked up.

“It would brighten everything up,” Tess said, her smile growing as she imagined it. “The lighting could be incredible.”

“And,” I added, smiling back, “we have piles of ancient pieces to use for displays. Tables and drawers, old desks and benches. Buckets and rope and God even knows what else we’ll find in storage. Laney, what are you thinking for social?”

“I’ve got big ideas too, starting with a new logo. Check it out.” She passed her phone down the table and to me.

The logo was hip and current, two arrows crossed with LFS in the left, top, and right spaces and an illustration of a rose below. It was simple and modern and absolutely perfect.

“I’ve got Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter set up, and Jett and I are working on the website,” Laney said.

“We’re gonna need pictures though,” Jett added, looking a little worried about the fact.

“I can help with that,” Tess offered. “I’ve been playing around for a couple of years with studio lighting, and my Instagram is pretty strong.”

Laney chuckled. “You’re being modest—your Instagram is enviable. I was going to ask if you’d be interested in heading up ours.”

“I’d love to,” Tess answered, flushed and smiling.

“Anyone have any objections to the logo?” I asked.