“The exterior needs a little love, that’s for sure. The good news is, Essie has already had the building inspected by engineers and it’s structurally sound. It has a solid foundation. And the inside is amazing. All it needs is a little reconfiguring and some design magic, which is what this binder is all about.”

Sadie flipped through the pages of her night’s work, showing Renee everything from paint color choices to the hardware she had fallen in love with for the cabinets and doorknobs. She also showed Renee how the entire mill could be set up, with Renee’s pie shop in the back center and a handful of stores on either side of a central pathway that led to the anchor shop.

“And, well, if you don’t already have a name chosen,” Sadie began awkwardly. “I was thinking we could call the shop Hester’s. You know, after Grandma Hester.”

Renee nodded. “I love that. It’s a perfect name for what our shop will stand for—embracing the new while appreciating the old. Yes. The shop should be called Hester’s.”

The two women simply grinned at one another for a few moments, overwhelmed by the happiness of the moment, of the possibility of what was in front of them, before breaking into excited squeals.

“Can we do a happy dance?” Renee asked.

“Rule number one of happy dances, you don’t ask to start them.” Sadie reached for her phone. “Are you ready for this treat, Renee?” She turned on the “Baby Shark” song, which made the women burst into laughter. Even Renee knew the tune beloved by children everywhere and loathed by their caregivers.

“Yay!” Lincoln cheered, as Sadie gathered him in her arms, and they all danced around the kitchen. “Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo!”

After their impromptu dance, Renee and Sadie discussed more specifics, how Sadie would be responsible for not only the remodel and design, but running the front of the shop once the renovations were complete, while Renee would be in charge of the kitchen and all the baking.

“I need to talk to Ethan about all this,” she admitted, “but I’m sure he’ll be on board.” She glanced down at her Fitbit (it had been a Christmas gift from Annette, accompanied by a comment about Sadie’s habit of running late) and sighed, “I’ve actually got to get to the doctor’s office. It’s my first OB visit for the new baby. I’ll get to hear the heartbeat today.”

“Fantastic! You and Ethan must be so excited.”

“He’s actually in Boston,” she admitted. “What’s new?” Maybe if she acted casual and breezy, she would actually start feeling that way.

“Are you serious? He won’t be there?”