When was the last time Sadie wore her favorite heels? And where even were they? Probably collecting dust bunnies in the hall closet. Dressing like an adult and doing a job that fulfilled her on a cellular level, now there was an idea that was almost sexier than Chris Hemsworth shirtless.

She cleared her throat and refocused. “When did the restaurant close?”

“Late nineties. You’d have been tiny.” Essie walked toward one of the large windows, admiring the river below. They’d had a few days of heavy rain, and the current looked powerful while a heron stalked the shallows. “Between you and me, their food wasn’t much to write home about. But they did add quite a kitchen. Wanna see?”

“Shut up.” Sadie’s eyes widened. “There’s a commercial kitchen?”

“You betcha. Come on, I’ll show you.”

Sadie followed Essie toward the back of the mill where a slightly dated—but absolutely usable—kitchen was located. She poked her head inside the giant stainless steel refrigerators and opened the oven doors.

And the built-ins! The built-ins were incredible. They must be over one hundred years old. Sadie traced her hand across one, its white paint peeling.

All this space needed was a good scrub and a little bit of love.

For starters, they could paint the cabinets. Maybe a cheerful periwinkle paired with light yellow accents or a grayish, seaside blue…Sadie would pull color swatches tonight. Schoolhouse lighting would look fantastic in here or even retro globe fixtures. A window over the deep porcelain sinks overlooked the river and she could imagine it outfitted in the same gingham curtains they’d use for the shop.

Gosh, and this was only the kitchen.

Beside the space for the pie shop there were all sorts of other interesting rooms. Main Street was special, but this space was something else entirely, and would be a welcome respite from the constantly changing weather. Besides the pie shop there could be a bookshop, an old-fashioned candy store, a craft cider tasting room, a yoga studio, a boutique toy shop, or a small hair salon. So many options.

“Okay, this place is insane.” She laughed, breathless in her excitement. “And I mean that in the best possible way.”

“I know it, right? We just need to convince Renee.” Essie’s phone started to blast a Beyoncé song for a ringtone. She glanced at the screen and raised her perfectly micro bladed brows. “I need to take this call, but you stay as long as you’d like. Afterwards, let’s regroup, and you can ask me any questions you may have. I’ll be just outside.”

Sadie nodded. She set Lincoln on the ground and walked back into the main area.

Her mind whirled.