When Arden Blossom returned to her hometown of River Hollow as a single mom to a newborn baby girl, she had to pick up the pieces of her life. Now, seven years later, she owns the local bookstore and cafe, has her dream house, and enjoys a high-stak...
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Noa and I quickly rush out of our house practically racing towards the white old church. I help her get her cream sweater on while we continue our fast pace, leave it to me to be late. Blake is going to tease me relentlessly when we burst through the old white doors interrupting Pastor Ted....again.
We round the corner, a tall familiar stranger turns around hearing us race up the steps. "Rory!" Noa exclaims excited to see him. She hasn't stopped talking about him all morning.
"Morning Noa." He smiles bending down to be at eye level with her. It was almost comical to see his big muscular bulky frame next to this tiny little six-year-old. He holds up his hand for a high five, Noa's grin widens as she smacks his hand with a decent slap. Rory shakes his hand with a playful hiss. He stands up meeting my gaze, those dreamy blue eyes taking my breath away.
"Good morning Arden." That damn smile that used to make my stomach flutter with butterflies has them returning with a force.
"Morning Rory."
"Do you ladies mind if I join you?" He questions making Noa bounce up and down in excitement.
"Heck yes!" She claps taking his hand and leading him inside the church. I try my best not to blush when all eyes turn towards us as we enter. A few soft whispers breakout through the room. The rumor mill was going to go crazy. We quickly take a seat towards the front not far from Blake. Her eyes light up when she sees who we are with. I called her the moment Jensen's truck pulled away last night. I had to hold my phone away from my ear a full two minutes while she screamed.
"You're telling me Rory love of your life Anderson is the 80 year old Nam vet that is currently renting the house next door? The same Rory who was best friends with Jensen. The same Rory who has starred in all your fantasies since puberty?" She shouts through the phone.
"Yes that same Rory." I let out a sigh falling back in my couch. "Noa invited him to the pumpkin patch with us and he came. We spent all day together and he's still the same perfect Rory as I remember."
Another excited scream roars through the phone. "OH MY GOD!!!!!!!"
"It's not like anything is going to happen. It's Rory we're talking about. He would never think of me like that, ever." I groan letting my head fall back against the back of the couch.
"Arden the man spent his entire first day back in River Hollow with you and your daughter. Trust me that man wants a slice of your cake." I could practically hear the smirk in her voice.
"Don't be gross." I roll my eyes getting comfortable pulling a blanket on my lap.
"Come on Ardy. You're gorgeous and if we weren't living in River Hollow you would have a line out your cafe of guys dying to date you. It's not impossible that Rory Anderson would fall for you."
"I have Noa to think about." I remind her.
"Exactly." She states. "You and Noa deserve to find real happiness. And if that's just the two of you I will support you but if there is a small possibility that you could be with the man of your dreams don't you owe yourself and Noa that?"
