I knew it wasn’t just me saying goodbye.

A gentle wind rushed over the lawn, and with it a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

I had helped Constance say goodbye to Ben. Not like I would have before, but it was something.

I tilted my face up to the sun.

Maybe I could find my way back to that place. Losing my gift along with Adam had driven me to cut myself off from everything. But maybe my aunts were right. Maybe there was a way I could reclaim what I had lost.

“Brynn?”

I snapped my eyes open.

“Brynn Warren?”

All the warmth I had been feeling dissipated when I saw the woman calling to me from the shadow of the oak tree. She didn’t look angry. Or even unfriendly. But the way she had her bag clutched close to her chest, she most certainly looked nervous. Almost afraid.

“My name is Maureen. I’m Rip’s wife.”

Chapter 21

I walked over to the woman hidden in the shadow of the tree. I almost lost sight of her when yet another cloud racing across the sky cut off the brilliance of the sun.

“I’m sorry if I startled you. I should have introduced myself when you came by the orchard the other day. I apologize for my rudeness.”

“There’s no need. The circumstances weren’t the best.”

The muscles flexed in her jaw. “And I’m afraid my husband is particularly gifted at taking any set of circumstances and making them worse.”

I waited, not sure how to respond.

“I’ve made you uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t apologize.”

“You must be wondering why I’ve tracked you down.”

I blinked in surprise.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t been following you. I was just at the gift shop.” She looked over to Charmed Treasures. “I was chatting with the clerk. She is quite the fan of the Warren women.”

“I’m starting to realize that.”

“Anyway, she told me you had just stopped in, and I saw you talking with Ben.” She looked down at her purse. “But, in all honesty, I have been hoping I would run into you.”

“You must know I live at the B&B. You could have stopped by.”

She stiffened and retreated deeper into the shadows. “I couldn’t do that. Rip might find out.”

“Would you like to go somewhere more private to talk?”

“No, that won’t be necessary.” She opened the latch on her handbag. “This won’t take long.” She pulled out a faded envelope. “I was hoping you could give this to Rip’s brother. He does the lawn work for the town. It wouldn’t be difficult to find him.”

“I know John,” I said, not yet reaching to take the envelope from her. “Why do you need me to give it to him? Why not give it to him yourself?”

“I’m taking a risk by talking to you. If Rip found out I went to see John.” She shook her head. “I need a little more time. When things are settled, I’ll talk to John myself. Apologize for not getting this to him sooner.”