“Sylvia’s long-lost son, Kaden, has returned to Yarrow. There was magic in his leaves.”

Addison leaned back in her rocker and took a long sip of her lemonade. Maybe Quinn was right. Maybe there’d been more to her own reading than she’d thought.

Chapter 12

Kaden

It had been harder than Kaden had expected to find a hotel room. With the Annual Yarrow Bourbon Festival coming up, all the affordable spots were booked. He’d ended up in the only open room at the Yarrow Bed & Breakfast, complete with a twin bed so short his feet hung off the edge and a standing shower that only came as high as his shoulder—so much for historic charm.

It cost what a king would’ve run him at a chain hotel.

But, like everyone else he’d run into, the woman working the desk hadn’t recognized him. So, instead of letting word get out he was back in town, he’d run to an ATM and paid in cash. He hadn’t decided how he wanted his reunion with his mother to go, but he wanted it to be on his terms. If she didn’t realize he was here, he might be able to make that happen.

He found himself pulling up the gravel drive to the Haywood home once again, half expecting to discover Irene’s invitation had been a joke.

He drummed his hands against the steering wheel and checked his hair in the rearview mirror. He wasn’t quite sure what he was doing here. He’d come to Yarrow looking for answers, but he wasn’t ready to go looking for them with his own family.

As he opened his door, another car pulled into the driveway. The woman who exited the vehicle was the same person who’d checked him into his room. She wore a yellow-and-white checkered blazer and dark jeans. Her hair was pulled up in a bun that didn’t quite manage to capture every strand. She’d introduced herself as Taylor at the bed and breakfast. If she was here, then she was Taylor Haywood—Nolan Haywood’s wife. Kaden might not have been close with the Haywoods, but he remembered that much.

“You’re Irene’s visitor?” she said.

He gave her a half smile. “Does everyone in town know about the tea leaves?”

“Yours or hers?” Taylor asked.

“That’s a yes,” Kaden said.

“That’s a yes,” she agreed before she started up the steps, her yellow heels clacking all the way. “Come on, then.”

Kaden jogged after her.

She slipped off her shoes and left them by the door. Kaden did the same.

“Found your visitor in the driveway!” she called out as she led him to the kitchen.

The room smelled of tomato sauce and pepperoni. A basket of garlic bread sat on the counter. Taylor swiped a piece before she slipped out of her jacket and kissed Clem full on the mouth.