The Memory Keeper: A Heartwarming, Feel-Good Romance(83)

“It looks like you’ve ordered our arrangement called ‘The Twin Irises,’” she said to the two women, holding up the bouquet to take a look at the flowers Georgia had started arranging.

“Yes, ma’am,” one of the women told her, her gaze roaming the space. “It’s just lovely in here.”

“Thank you,” Hannah said, pulling the rest of the flowers from the various baskets on the wall where the silver buckets had been to add to the arrangement. “Would you like a glass of lemonade?”

The two women each took a glass.

Hannah trimmed the ends of the flowers, threading them into the vase. “This is a beautiful bouquet,” she said. “It’s one of my favorites.” She finished the last few flowers and handed the vase to the women.

The bells on the door jingled and Mary, Noah, and Liam walked in. Liam showed his surprise at the renovation, though he hung back at the entrance of the shop. Noah ran past the tables of displays and behind the counter, throwing his arms around Hannah. Without even thinking, she grabbed his hands and spun him around, dancing to the song on the record player the way Gran used to do with her.

Noah threw his head back with laughter and wriggled around. “Do that again!”

Hannah had gotten so wrapped up in the excitement of the shop’s success that she only realized just then that this must be how Gran had felt every day. She gave Noah another twirl, making him giggle some more.

“I’ve walked past this shop before,” Mary said, “so I know what you’ve done with it. It’s simply stunning, Hannah.”

“Thank you,” Hannah said. “I couldn’t have done it without Georgia.” Hannah peered through the freshly designed display window at her new friend, who was just as busy as she’d been when Hannah had come inside.

Hannah’s attention shifted to Liam. He was still near the door, his eyes on her. Their lost opportunity ate away at Hannah. Just looking at him, it felt like coming home, and she wanted to run over to him, to delight with him in the excitement of today, but his business decisions were hanging between them like a heavy fog. She wanted to move beyond it, but she just couldn’t.

“Ready to go?” Noah asked, taking her hand.

“I’m not sure I can just yet,” she replied, finishing the bouquet. She wanted more than anything to go off with Noah and play at the festival, but she couldn’t leave Georgia to man this by herself. “It’s busier than I expected. But I’m going to get someone to help us so I can join you very quickly, okay?” Hannah’s mom would certainly come to relieve her if Hannah told her what was going on.

“Why don’t I take Noah to play some of the games until you’re ready?” Mary suggested. “He wanted to try to win the big sombrero on the ring toss.”

Hannah smiled at the memory of his call on her birthday.

“Liam will stay here and work with you until your help comes.”

“It’s really fine,” Hannah said as two more people came in, causing Liam to step closer to her. “I’ve got it. I’m going to text my mom to come in. Liam doesn’t need to stay.”

“No, I will,” he said, walking toward the counter. “Once Hannah’s mother gets here,” he told Mary, “Hannah and I will meet you and take Noah around. Save the bungee bounce for us, buddy, okay? We’ll all do it together.”

“We will?” Hannah asked, happiness bubbling to the surface at the fact that Liam had initiated a bonding moment with his son.

“Yeah,” he said, clearly more thoughts behind his answer than he’d verbalized. He came behind the counter, joining her, and peered down at the cash register. “Show me how to ring people up, and Georgia can send them inside to pay.”

“Okay,” Hannah said.

“I’ll let Georgia know,” Mary said. “Noah, let’s give these two some time to get through the heaviest of the crowds. You and I can get an ice cream and find all the fun things to show them when they meet us.”

“Okay,” Noah said, running over to her.

Mary and Liam held the door for another group to enter the shop.

Hannah texted her mother and she texted back that she’d be right over.

“It does look amazing in here,” Liam said to Hannah. “You’ve done an incredible job.”

“Thank you.”

His attention shifted to her necklace and then back up to her eyes.

An elderly man came in with a bouquet and print, interrupting the moment. He set them down on the table and pulled his wallet from his back pocket. “I’m getting this for my wife,” he said with a smile. “We’ve been married for sixty-five years.”

“That’s incredible,” Hannah said.

“Being with her is the easiest choice I’ve ever made. Want to know the secret?” the man asked.

“Yes.” Hannah was all ears.

“It’s about bringing out the best in one another and not letting the problems that plague this life eat away at it. When you find someone special, you hang on for dear life and weather the seas together.”

“That’s beautiful,” she said back to the man with the bouquet. “I hope your wife loves the flowers.”

“I’m sure she will.” The man handed over his credit card and Hannah showed Liam how to ring him up on the register. She returned the man’s card just as three others came in, lining up at the counter to pay. Business was positively booming.