Sadie made the bed, fluffing both her and Ethan’s pillows as though he’d been here last night, sleeping beside her. It sucked that he’d had to stay in Boston, but at least he’d called when he’d finished up work for the evening. He sounded exhausted, but had ended the conversation with, “Thanks for taking such great care of our little guy, Sade, and our new babe on the way. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

They were only two sentences of appreciation, but they were exactly what Sadie needed to hear. Especially as she was heading to her first doctor’s appointment for the new baby the next day, something Ethan would have to miss because of work.

After tucking Lincoln into bed, Sadie had fixed herself a giant bowl of popcorn and hunkered down on the living room floor, surrounded by fabric samples, design books, and every magazine she owned. For hours she’d worked. She cut inspiration photos out of magazines and bookmarked fabrics. Most of all she sketched.

Sadie mapped out the Old Red Mill, detailing where each shop would go and what the vibe would be of the common spaces: welcoming, bright, happy. She actually stirred herself a mocktail before focusing on the most important shop of all: Hester’s.

By the time Sadie finished her work, it was one thirty in the morning. And with Lincoln typically waking up at dawn, she should feel exhausted. Instead, she felt more rested than she had in years.

And when Lincoln woke up at six fifteen, she got him dressed and fed in record time. Normally, she’d plunk him in front of a television show for thirty minutes as he ate his Cheerios and sipped on his smoothie pouch, but today she was dying to see Renee. She couldn’t wait to tell her all about her tour of the Old Red Mill and to share her design plans for Hester’s.

“Lincoln, we’re going next door.” She slid tiny sneakers onto his feet. “How about you choose one book and toy to bring with you?”

He shook his head. “I like Miss Renee toys. Bowls!”

Sadie laughed. “Of course.”

She grabbed a cardboard book and Lincoln’s LeapFrog cash register anyway before gathering her own giant binder. The pair marched next door.

“Hi!” Lincoln shouted happily. “Hi doctor!”

Whoa.

Sure enough, there was Dr. Hanlon coming out of Renee’s front door, slightly disheveled and dressed too nicely for the morning hour in his slacks and button-up shirt.

He actually blushed when he saw them standing there in the side yard.

Busted.

“Oh, um… Hello, Lincoln,” he replied, still as good-natured as ever. “Hi, Sadie. Gorgeous weather, huh?”

Sadie nodded, pretending like she was more interested in the ocean than his walk of shame. “Uh-huh.”

“Well, I’ll see you around.” He paused, before saying, “Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and veggies, Lincoln!”