Madison spent the entire afternoon trying not to think about Ethan Hayes.
Unfortunately, it was impossible.
Everywhere she looked, she saw the restaurant plans sitting on the kitchen counter.
Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the confidence in his voice when he'd said she was the best chef he'd ever met.
And every time she remembered it, a strange feeling settled in her chest.
Hope.
Dangerous, dangerous hope.
Because hope led to expectations.
And expectations led to disappointment.
She had learned that lesson the hard way.
By evening, Madison finally gave up pretending she wasn't interested.
She grabbed the folder Ethan had left behind and carried it to the back porch.
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink.
She opened the plans again.
The restaurant was beautiful.
Large dining area.
Open kitchen.
Private event space.
Outdoor seating overlooking the orchard.
It wasn't just another restaurant.
It was a destination.
A place people would travel to experience.
Madison studied every page carefully.
The more she read, the more impressed she became.
Whoever had designed this knew exactly what they were doing.
Then she noticed something.
A handwritten note.
The handwriting wasn't Noah's.
It wasn't professional.
It looked rushed.
Personal.
Madison frowned.
She leaned closer.
The note was written in black ink.
"Good food creates memories. Great food creates home."
Her chest tightened.
For some reason those words felt familiar.
Almost intimate.
Like someone had spent a long time thinking about them.
A voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
"You're smiling."
Madison nearly jumped.
Liam stood in the doorway holding a bottle of water.
She quickly closed the folder.
"I am not."
"You are."
"I'm really not."
"You've been staring at those plans for two hours."
Madison groaned.
"Go away."
Liam laughed.
"No chance."
He dropped into the chair across from her.
"So."
"So?"
"You're going to take the job."
Madison looked away.
The silence answered for her.
Liam smirked.
"I knew it."
"Nothing's decided."
"You already decided."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Madison."
"What?"
"You haven't looked this excited in months."
His words hit harder than expected.
Because he was right.
She hated that he was right.
Liam's expression softened.
"You should do it."
Madison stared down at the folder.
"What if I fail again?"
For the first time, her brother didn't joke.
Didn't tease.
Didn't smile.
He simply looked at her.
"You will."
Madison blinked.
"What?"
"You'll fail."
She frowned.
"That's encouraging."
Liam shrugged.
"Everyone fails."
His voice was calm.
Matter-of-fact.
"You failed."
"Thanks."
"I failed."
"True."
"Mom failed."
"She's going to kill you for saying that."
Liam grinned.
"My point is nobody gets through life without failing."
Madison remained silent.
"Failure isn't what matters."
He leaned forward.
"What matters is whether you're brave enough to try again."
The words lingered long after he walked away.
For the rest of the evening.
For most of the night.
And when Madison finally climbed into bed, she already knew the answer.
The next morning, she drove to Hayes Orchard.
The moment her car turned onto the property, memories flooded back.
Childhood summers.
Apple picking.
Family picnics.
Arguments with Ethan.
Arguments with Noah.
Arguments with basically everyone.
Some things never changed.
Rows upon rows of apple trees stretched across the horizon.
Workers moved through the fields.
Tractors rolled between the orchards.
The place felt alive.
Productive.
Purposeful.
Something inside her envied that.
She parked near the main barn.
Before she could even step out, a familiar voice called her name.
"Madison."
She turned.
Ethan was walking toward her.
For a brief second she forgot what she was about to say.
That was annoying.
Very annoying.
Because Ethan looked unfairly attractive today.
Sunlight highlighted his dark hair.
His sleeves were rolled up.
A thin layer of dust covered his boots.
The man looked like he'd walked straight out of a romance novel.
Not that Madison noticed.
Obviously.
Ethan stopped in front of her.
His expression remained calm.
But she thought she saw something hopeful in his eyes.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"You came."
"I did."
Silence.
A few workers nearby suddenly looked interested.
Madison noticed immediately.
Small town.
Everyone was watching.
Wonderful.
She crossed her arms.
"You have a staring problem."
Ethan blinked.
"What?"
"You're staring."
His ears turned slightly red.
Madison almost laughed.
Interesting.
Apparently Ethan Hayes could still get embarrassed.
Good to know.
He cleared his throat.
"Have you made a decision?"
Madison looked around the orchard.
At the workers.
The fields.
The future being built here.
Then she looked back at him.
"Yes."
Ethan waited.
She inhaled slowly.
Then smiled.
"I'll do it."
For the first time since she'd arrived, Ethan looked genuinely stunned.
Then relief crossed his face.
Followed by something warmer.
Something brighter.
Something that made Madison's heart behave strangely.
"Good."
That was all he said.
Good.
Yet somehow it felt like the most meaningful word in the world.
A loud cheer suddenly erupted nearby.
Madison jumped.
Several workers were clapping.
One even whistled.
"Oh my God."
Ethan sighed.
"They've been taking bets."
Madison stared.
"They what?"
A worker approached immediately.
"Morning, Chef."
Another one grinned.
"Told you she'd say yes."
"Pay up."
Money exchanged hands.
Madison looked horrified.
"Ethan."
"I had nothing to do with this."
"You absolutely did."
"I didn't."
"You did."
His smile widened.
Madison froze.
And for a brief moment, she forgot how to breathe.
Because she'd never seen Ethan smile like that before.
Not fully.
Not openly.
Not at her.
The realization hit unexpectedly.
Ethan was happy she was here.
Not because of the restaurant.
Not because of the business.
Because of her.
Before Madison could process that thought, another voice interrupted.
"Well."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Everyone turned.
A black luxury SUV rolled across the property.
The vehicle stopped near the barn.
The driver's door opened.
A man stepped out.
Tall.
Sharp suit.
Expensive watch.
Confident smile.
Noah Hayes had arrived.
And judging by the tension suddenly appearing in Ethan's expression...
The peace wouldn't last for long.
To be continued...