“Ethan, there’s something else,” Birdie said.

“What is it?”

“It’s my tulips.” She currently had Betty looking after them, but she clearly needed to get Ethan more engaged with the festival. “I’m worried about them.”

“Your what?”

“My tulips. Weren’t you listening?”

He nodded. “I was but I’m not sure what you’re trying to tell me.”

“The Bloomin’ Tulips Contest is coming up soon. And I’m determined to beat Agnes Dewey this year. She’s won the contest for the past four years.” Birdie frowned. Bragging rights in Bluestar were extremely important. Because listening to Agnes brag for three hundred and sixty-five days was just not right. “Agnes makes sure everyone knows she has the best tulips in town.”

“There’s a contest for tulips?”

She frowned at him. “I thought you were working on the plans with Hannah.”

“I am. Well, kind of.” His gaze lowered. “I’ve been a little busy with the bakery.”

So she noticed. Maybe that was the problem. They weren’t spending enough time together. Maybe if she was home, she could push them together more. But she just as quickly dismissed that idea because if she was home, she’d have to take over the festival plans.

“Ethan, the Bloomin’ Tulip contest is a Bluestar tradition. It’s been going on for years. And this year I was hoping to win it. I’ve been working hard to have the biggest and brightest blooms. I even have a secret ingredient.”

“A secret ingredient?” Ethan’s brows scrunched together. “It sounds more like you are baking the flowers rather than growing them.”

She pursed her lips together. He wasn’t taking this seriously. She needed him to take the festival seriously or he wouldn’t invest himself in the plans—in spending more time with Hannah. “Are you listening?”

“Yes. I’m listening.”

“Good. Then when you get home, this is what I want you to do.” And then she started to tell him about her watering schedule. Then she waved them both closer, afraid that someone in the hospital might overhear them. “I add coffee grounds once a week. And not just any coffee grounds.” She went on to tell them exactly what coffee grounds to buy and how much to add to the ground. “Don’t forget.”

Ethan nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your tulips.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at both of them. “I don’t know what I’d do without both of you.”

“You’ll never have to find out,” Ethan said. “I’m only a phone call away.”

“And I’m just down the road from you,” Hannah said. “When you get home, I can be there to help you out.”

“That’s so sweet of you both.”

Already her mind had moved on. The tulips and the prizes were not enough to pull these two together. She would need a little time to think of another way to open their eyes. They were both so stubborn. Why couldn’t they see what was right in front of them?

“I have one other thing.” Birdie waved them toward her. Then she lowered her voice so as not to be overheard. “I’d like to bring a little springtime cheer to everyone here at Sunny Days. But it’s a big ask so it’ll need both of you to make it work.”