“I take it you like it here.” Ethan’s voice drew her from her thoughts.

She blinked and glanced over at him. “What?”

“You’re smiling. I take it this place has a lot of good memories for you.”

“Yes, it does. Some of my best childhood memories were made here at the farm.” Hannah honked her bike horn a couple of times. She noticed Ethan trying to smother a laugh. She feigned a frown. “Are you laughing at my horn?”

By now a smile was most definitely pulling at his lips as his eyes lit up with amusement. He shook his head as though he didn’t trust opening his mouth or otherwise he’d break out into laughter.

When she glanced back at the porch with no sign of her niece or her brother, she honked the horn once more. “They must be out at the barn.”

They parked their bikes. Hannah led the way to the barn. She wanted to head straight for the goat pen and see the newest edition, but she knew she had to wait for her niece to show her. She wouldn’t do anything to intentionally disappoint Nikki.

As they rounded the corner of the house, she spotted Sam and Nikki heading toward them. A big smile pulled at Hannah’s lips. Her family meant everything to her.

“Auntie Hannah!” Nikki ran toward her. When she reached her, she wrapped her arms around her. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” Guilt rained down over Hannah.

The truth of the matter was that while she’d been rushing to open the bakery, she hadn’t spent time with her niece. She’d told herself that she would make it up to Nikki, but she was starting to wonder if her life would ever slow down enough for her to make room for everything and everyone she cared about.

The two men greeted each other and shook hands.

“Hey, Sam, thanks for the invitation,” Hannah said, knowing her brother rarely entertained guests.

Sam stood there in his old baseball cap, flannel shirt, and work jeans, looking the same as always. “You know you’re always welcome. Nikki could hardly sleep last night, she was so excited to show you her new goat.”

“And I’m just as anxious to meet him.” Hannah glanced around. “I thought Mom would be here.”

“She is,” Sam said. “She’s inside making lunch.”

Hannah nodded in understanding. Her mother loved to cook about as much as Hannah loved to bake. Between the two of them, holidays were an extravaganza of food.

Nikki moved to Hannah’s side. She pointed to Ethan and whispered, “Who’s he?”

“This is Ethan. He’s visiting Bluestar to help his aunt. And now he’s been generous enough to help me finish the bakery.”

“Hi.” Ethan knelt down to speak to Nikki on her level. “It’s nice to meet you.” He held his hand out to her.

Nikki hesitantly looked at Ethan’s hand and then she turned to her father, who said it was okay. Only then did she place her petite hand in Ethan’s. He gave her a big smile and a gentle handshake.