Hannah turned to the woman. “Excuse me.”

“It just seems to me that you’ve been doing everything but working on the festival. And I don’t want to see a Bluestar tradition ruined.” Agnes pursed her thin lips.

“I’m trying my best,” Hannah said. “Everything is under control.”

“I’ve heard prizes haven’t been sorted. There aren’t any tablecloths. Nor are there baskets for the children’s Easter egg hunt. What have you been doing?”

Maybe she was behind on a few things, but she still had time to wrap up the details. It would all get done…eventually.

Ethan stepped forward. “I’ll have you know that my aunt gave me the responsibility for the festival.”

“And all you do is work on the bakery for her.” Agnes pointed accusingly at Hannah.

Is that what everyone thought? Hannah’s gaze moved to the people who’d gathered around to hear what was going on. Did they all think she would let them down? The thought dug at a tender spot in her chest.

Her father had always been one to step up and volunteer. He thought to be a good neighbor that you had to do for others. Tears stung the back of Hannah’s eyes. In some small way that’s what she’d been doing by helping to plan Spring Fling. Obviously not everyone saw it the same way.

“We’re working hard on everything.” An angry tone threaded through his voice.

“Perhaps on the bakery,” Agnes said, “but can we trust that you’re going to get the festival, right? You haven’t even attended the festival.”

Hannah fisted her hands at her sides as she struggled to maintain her composure. She stepped up to Agnes. “You complain a lot, but I don’t see you volunteering to help.”

Suddenly the air felt as though it’d been sucked from the room. Hannah’s head began to throb. She needed to get out of there before she said something she’d regret. She needed some fresh air.

She turned and headed for the door. She could hear Ethan calling out to her but she kept going. Her pace didn’t slow down. She kept going until she reached the twin benches on either side of the walk. It was there she sat down.

All of this time, she’d been so caught up in her own drama she hadn’t noticed how the people around her were doubting she could pull everything off. She’d been trying to do it all. Maybe she had taken on too many baking orders lately. She’d been trying to pay back Ethan as quickly as possible for the chandelier. Maybe she’d been too intent on being independent. Maybe she needed to slow down.

“Hannah”—Ethan sat down next to her—“are you all right?”

“I…I just needed some air.”

His gaze searched her face as though making sure she was all right. “We could go home—maybe watch a movie or something.”

She shook her head. “Not yet.”

A rush of cool air felt good against her heated skin. Her head no longer pounded quite so hard. She didn’t even want to think about what people were saying after that ugly scene. She inwardly groaned. Why did she let Agnes get under her skin? If she was honest with herself, she knew the answer.