The Trouble With Falling

“So you came to Honey Peak.”

“So I threw a dart at a map and when it landed on this town, I packed up and moved here,” she says with a small laugh.

“And what do you think of your new home so far?”

“I like it. The people seem friendly and nice. For the most part,” she says with a smirk and side-eye aimed in my direction.

“I’m here helping you! That should count as friendly.”

“You have ulterior motives,” she reminds me, and I roll my eyes.

Hartley laughs at that and comes down off the ladder.

“Yeah, I like it here. The scenery is beautiful, the town is charming, and hopefully, will be the perfect place for my bakery.”

“I’m sure it will. Brennan is already talking about all of the sweet treats he’s going to get when you’re open.”

“Who’s Brennan?” she asks, her eyes curious as we move onto the final wall.

This one has the front doors and windows, so I know that we’ll be done soon. I find myself disappointed by that.

“Brennan is Patrick’s nephew. Although, he’s also Brennan’s guardian too, ever since his parents died.”

“Who is Patrick?” she asks as she sets the ladder up and starts to climb up to paint above the front window.

“He’s… my best friend,” I admit reluctantly and I smile when Hartley laughs.

“You two sound close,” she teases.

I chuckle.

“We are. I don’t talk to many people in town. You might have noticed, but I’m a bit of a loner. Patrick and Brennan wandered into the Trading Post one day and then they just kept coming back.”

Hartley smiles and climbs down off the ladder, setting her painting supplies down and wiping her hands on her shirt.

“What do you think?” she asks, looking around at our handy work.

“We’re going to need a second coat, but it looks nice. It’s brighter in here already.”

Hartley grins, looking around the place.

“Same time tomorrow?” she asks, and I chuckle.

“Yup.”