“If I know Irene, she’s not going to stop loving you simply because she realizes my son is your father,” Sylvia said. “Especially not after what I saw between her and Kaden at dinner.”

A firefly landed on Addison’s shoulder. She cupped it gently with one hand. As it crawled along her palm, she held it close to her face and whispered, “It’s not my mom I’m worried about.”

“Ah,” Sylvia said. “Maura.”

At Addison’s nod, Sylvia continued, “Who knows. Maybe loving yourself—loving me—would be easier if you forgot Maura’s love altogether. Irene’s, too. Then it wouldn’t hurt so much.”

Addison exhaled, and smoke passed from her lips into the hazy air. The lightning bug took flight, moving straight into the darkness until Addison wasn’t sure if she’d seen anything at all. It flew off into the garden.

When she looked back at Sylvia, her grandmother extended her hand. “We don’t know each other well, but I know I love you already.”

Addison smiled softly, her chest growing warm at the words. As far as she could remember, she’d never known a grandmother’s love. That must’ve been why the leaves led her here. As the two of them stood staring out at the garden, a familiar voice echoed across the yard.

“Mom? Are you out here?”

Addison turned, her heart sinking. “What’s he doing here?”

Nate walked toward them, shoulders thrown back and forehead glistening in the heat.

“I thought if we could all work together to fix your garden, maybe we could put Nate’s efforts with the city council to rest. I didn’t realize it would be like… this.” She gestured vaguely at the wild plants.

Nate rested his sunglasses on the top of his head and surveyed the garden. “This is a nightmare.”

“You can’t be here,” Addison said, almost pleading. “He can’t be here.”

Sylvia rested a gentle hand on Addison’s shoulder. “Let’s forget your hatred toward Nate, too, hmm? Yes, he was working with the mayor and the city manager to get access to your family’s land, but he only had Yarrow’s best interests in mind. We both know Maura would’ve never allowed us to shore up the corn crop otherwise. But the garden is your domain, isn’t it?”

Addison tilted her head to the side and blinked. “It is,” she agreed. She glanced at Nate, who was now smiling at her, all teeth. “Thanks for coming to help. My family wouldn’t understand.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Nate said.

She knew this man had cheated on her mother, that he’d threatened to take their land, but she didn’t feel any animosity toward him. Besides, there were more pressing matters at hand.

“The garden is hurting,” Addison said. “Sylvia thought we might be able to heal it.”