In front of the camera, Miriam’s spiel didn’t miss a beat. “Tonight, I’m giving y’all a sneak peek at the Miriam Blum originals that will be available via web auction all night on New Year’s Eve. This is a great opportunity to buy some earlier pieces you may never have seen before, some new custom pieces I’m making exclusively for this auction, and maybe get a great deal on a piece you couldn’t normally afford. But remember, the fate of my family farm is in your hands, including a lot of people’s jobs and health insurance, so open your hearts and your wallets.

“I know some of you are making travel plans to be here and y’all—” Her voice cracked, as the Blum Again persona slipped and the real, scared Miriam shone through.

Noelle felt the strong impulse to gather Miriam up, build them both a blanket fort, and let her find some space to deal with everything that had happened. She shook her head, trying to clear it. That wasn’t fair, to herself or Miriam. She’d ignored her own judgment and given in to Miriam’s magnetic draw once, and it had turned out exactly the way she’d feared: Miriam had gotten spooked and done what she always did—or tried to, anyway, even if she hadn’t gotten very far.

Noelle wasn’t going to make that mistake again. Maybe the old ladies had been right, and she couldn’t use Carrigan’s and sobriety as an excuse to avoid dating forever, but that didn’t mean Miriam was the right person at the right time.

No matter what Noelle’s heart said.

The sound of Miriam’s voice penetrated her thinking and made her want to listen to nothing else, forever. But Miriam was still talking to the Bloomers, still wearing that practiced mask that didn’t let anyone close.

“I cannot even believe the lengths to which you will go as a community to support me and mine,” she was saying. “I love you all so much, and I can’t wait to see you up at Carrigan’s. I’ll be doing special tours for any Bloomer who makes it up here on such late notice, and we’ll have a Bloomer Breakfast on New Year’s Day, complete with Rosenstein’s breakfast pastries and Mrs. Matthews’s famous coffee.”

Miriam was known among her fans for being private. For her to open up her family home to special tours, one-on-one time, and a Bloom Together breakfast was unprecedented, and many fans were throwing out their New Year’s Eve plans to book last-minute flights to New York.

“Ride or die Carrigan’s!” Miriam said, signing off.