“I don’t know.” Renee deflected even as her eyes shone. “It feels so risky.”

Sadie’s heartbeat quickened as she thought of her morning’s discovery.

“Look at me.” She held her neighbor at arm’s length. “I really, truly think it’s an awesome idea. And you won’t believe what I found this morning in the attic—Grandma Hester’s recipes. All of them. Including the whoopie pies.”

Renee let out a sharp exhale and laughed. “Stop. You’re kidding me.”

“It’s kismet. I’ll bring them over. Maybe we could even try one out tonight. Your pie shop could include your own masterpieces as well as Grandma Hester’s. It would be a perfect mix of new and nostalgia.”

“I love it. Yes, let’s bake some whoopie pies tonight and see if we can even come close to Grandma Hester’s greatness,” Renee said with a nod before growing quiet. “It’s just…about the pie shop. I don’t know the first thing about running a business. And apparently the space needs a ton of work. Have you seen my house? I haven’t changed a damn thing since I moved in. All I do is add more finds from my antique adventures.”

“I love your house. It’s perfect,” Sadie said with a smile, meaning it.

And yet, there was an excitement bubbling away in the pit of her stomach because she knew quite a lot about renovating spaces. She studied Renee’s face, trying to read what she was feeling. Would Renee even want Sadie’s help with this venture? Or would Sadie be stepping on her toes? What would Ethan say? They were already underwater as they tried to prepare for a second baby… Would he totally flip over the idea of Sadie working again?

Sadie pushed all of these thoughts aside and threw her hat into the ring.

“What if, well, what if I helped?” she volunteered shyly. “I’d be thrilled to design the space for you, Renee. I would think of every last detail, I can promise you that. I’ll make the place perfect.”

“Really? You would do that?”

“Absolutely.” Sadie was on a roll now. “And, well, I’m also really great with numbers. I could even help you with the books and manage the business end of things.”

Renee stopped walking on the beach. Sadie beamed back at her.

“You and I would be kick-butt partners,” Renee declared without hesitation.

Sadie let out a squeal and hugged her friend tight, more optimistic than she’d been in months. Time to dig out the old sketchbooks and start working up concepts. Hopefully Essie would be available to show them the space tomorrow. It should feel snug and warm, yet fresh and bright. There had to be gingham fabric involved, that was for sure, and maybe they could frame some of the old photographs she’d found today of Grandma Hester.

She started, suddenly back in the present, looking at the quiet beach ahead, and then immediately out to the rolling sea.

Lincoln.

Where was he?

“Oh my God,” Sadie breathed, turning left than right. “Where’s Lincoln? He was just here, wasn’t he?”