“You and your dad have had some tough times over the years. I hope things are getting easier between you two.”

“I haven’t talked to him much since I’ve been gone.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s been a long time.”

“Won’t be long now. Dad’ll be home Sunday.”

“That’s good.” She wouldn’t make eye contact with him.

He stepped into her view. “You know…” He hesitated, almost afraid to bring it up, but it was hanging over them anyway. “I really wanted you to come to France.”

“Don’t, Andrew.” She straightened as if garnering strength. “This is my home. You knew that. I could never live anywhere else.”

“Not even for a little while?”

“Don’t think I didn’t consider it. But it didn’t end up being for a little while, did it? It’s been years.” She rubbed her hand up her arm. “Don’t make our past all my fault. That’s not how it played out.”

“Maybe things would’ve turned out different if—”

“Don’t play the ‘what if’ game with me either.” There was an edge to her tone. “It’s a dangerous one. You chose your path. I followed mine, and I’m very happy with where my journey has taken me.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. There’s no changing the past, but we were engaged. We were best friends. Can’t we at least catch up?” Desperate to lighten the mood, he said, “I heard the cafe expanded to the building next door and you have a bakery there. That’s great.”

“Not exactly. I opened my own business next to the cafe. It started small.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” he added.

“At first I was just doing local stuff in a tiny five-hundred-square-foot space, but then I took a chance and started the online store. After that, business grew like kudzu. I have two shifts running year-round to keep up with orders. I own the whole building now. We gutted the old ribbon factory and turned it into a bakery.”

He set back on his heels. “That’s a huge undertaking.”

“It was, but we’ve got great people with lots of talent around here. It’s been good for the whole town.”

“That’s great.” He stood there staring at her, still thinking of her as the young lady he’d left behind but impressed and amazed by the businesswoman who stood in front of him now. “Congratulations. I’m truly happy for you. I rode down Main Street when I came in yesterday. I didn’t realize all of that was yours. You’ve really classed the street up.”