a band set up by the gazebo, playing old Motown hits as tourists and locals alike enjoyed the scene.
Nights like these reminded Stella how lucky she was to call Sweetbriar Cove home, as Hank showed off his moves on the dancefloor, and Aunt June held court nearby, dishing the details of her latest breakup.
“Wait, she and Stanley couldn’t make it work?” Stella asked Fraser, surprised. “I thought for sure he’d be husband number five.”
“He tried, but June said, she wouldn’t be tied down.” Fraser grinned. “After Stanley just bought a beach house here to be closer to her.”
“And Aunt June pocketed the commission as his realtor!” Jenny added. “She’ll probably do it all over again when he sells.”
“Smart woman,” Stella quipped, and they all laughed. She looked around, eyeing the delicious looking food at the next table. “I think I’m going to take my chances in line for the hot dogs. Any takers?”
“We’re good, thanks. But I’ll steal you a slice of cranberry pie,” Fraser offered.
“Done!”
Stella made her way across the square, greeting old friends and neighbors as she went. She could see Poppy and Lila with their babies, and Summer off dancing with Grandpa Earl. Mackenzie was waving at her, pointing and mouthing something Stella couldn’t make out—
“Oof!”
She walked straight into somebody, almost falling flat on her ass, before the guy steadied her. “Sorry,” Stella blurted, recovering her balance.
“No, it was my fault.” The man said with a smile. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with sandy brown hair and a boyish smile. “I was distracted by the whole hog roast,” he said, nodding to a stall nearby. “What do you think, is it worth the wait?”
“With Declan manning the spit? Definitely,” Stella said. “He’s the best chef in town.”
“Sold,” he declared. “I’m Noah, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you.” Stella could see Mackenzie still waving, and flashing a thumbs up. Stella frowned, but Mac kept waving, and Stella finally put two and two together. “Wait, you wouldn’t happen to be the firefighter cousin, would you?” she asked Noah.
He noticed Mac gesturing wildly, and chuckled. “That’s me. You know, when I mentioned it would be good to meet some new people, I didn’t expect her to focus solely on female people. Not that I’m not happy to make your acquaintance,” he added, flashing a smile. He had a slight Southern drawl, and friendly blue eyes, and Stella couldn’t for the life of her think why a man like him would need any help meeting anyone. Just stand him in the middle of the town square, and she could guarantee, he’d have a date lined up in ten minutes flat.
Five, if Aunt June had anything to do with it.
“Looks like the line is slowing,” he said, nodding to Declan’s booth. “Want to join me?”
Stella was about to respond, when she suddenly caught sight of Aidan across the square. He was wearing faded jeans and a navy shirt rolled up at the elbows, sitting with his family under the trees. He smiled at something his sister was saying, then reached over to steal food from one of his brothers’ plates, looking about as casual as she’d ever seen him.
Casual, and delicious.
Stella cleared her throat, feeling flustered, even though Aidan didn’t even notice her there. She turned back to Noah. “Maybe another time,” she said quickly. “But welcome back to town!”
Stella moved off, blindly taking a place in the next line she could find. What was she thinking? That cranberry spritz must already be going to her head, because why else would she turn down a perfectly good invitation from a hunky firefighter? She had zero other commitments, and Aidan had already made it clear, dating her was the last thing he wanted.
Stella sighed. So much for putting her handsome new neighbor out of her mind. She needed to focus less on the ‘handsome’ part, and more on the ‘insufferably arrogant’ side of things, she reminded herself. And if she found herself forgetting… Well, she would have plenty of time to remember, the next time she had to hike the long way around to the pond.
“Next!”
Stella realized she was now at the front of the line, for… “What is this?” she asked, peering at the display.
“Cranberry-pickle fritters,” the woman said. “It’s a family recipe.”
Maybe not.
“I’ll take four.” A voice beside her made Stella turn. It was Cassie Kinsella, wearing dungarees, and a friendly smile. “I hope you don’t mind me jumping the line,” she said. “But I have a bet going with my