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“I’ve got more money than your little neighborhood bank, and we both know it. Listen to what I’m saying — I put my money into entrepreneurs. I like people with vision. I think you’ve got that vision, and it’s clearer in your head than you’re letting on. Call me when you’re ready and I’ll set you up.”

I hesitate. “Don’t you need to talk to Mills about this?”

Hayden scoffs. “Who do you think told me to talk to you about this?”

Over Hayden’s shoulder, I catch Mills’s gaze. She winks and raises her little red spoon in a salute.

“My sister’s a good egg. And very nosy.”

“Don’t I know it,” Hayden says.

Just then, Daisy walks over to where we are, and her sweet scent wakes me up to the possibilities.

She smiles at me, and I hook my arm around her waist. “What are you boys talking about?”

Of course, this will work. Not just because Hayden has deep pockets but also because I have people around me who will support me, help me, and cheer me on.

“My ideas for the farm and all the rest of it.”

She smiles. “That’s great!”

I thank Hayden, letting him know I’ll be in touch. He nods and walks off to find Mills.

I pull Daisy into my lap, and grip her chin with my forefinger and thumb.

“What are you doing?”

“Kissing in public,” I say, pressing my lips to hers.

I lose myself in our kiss for a brief, blissful second.

“I’m so excited you’re bringing up your ideas with other people. Talking helps move things along,” she says.

“I’m learning that,” I say.

“Good,” she says, pecking me on the nose.

“I’ve got something else to talk about, sweetheart.”

She blushes. “What’s that?”

“About how much I love you, Dr. Daisy Allen.”

I said it. It’s out there.

Daisy blinks, then blows out a breath.

“I love you too, Owen Mosley.”

epilogue

Three years later

Owen

Everyone is dressed up for a big family photo shoot, because our oldest sister, Mills, and her husband Hayden are visiting for the holidays.

After the shoot at the lightly snow-covered Daisy Hill Farm and Event Center (the name I chose and Daisy relented to after I couldn’t be budged to change it), the photographer follows us around town. We agreeably pause for pictures at the courthouse plaza, then pose as a group in front of the festively-decorated new sign at the Fate Home, Garden and Farm Store.