Tessa found an empty parking spot in the parking lot of Cooper’s Market and pulled in.

“Hold on, Dad. I’ll help you out,” she said, unbuckling her seat belt and opening her door.

“I’m perfectly capable of opening a door, thank you very much.”

Tessa sighed and grabbed her purse before climbing out. Men.

It was just past noon on Wednesday, sixteen hours since Dylan had planted that kiss on her, leaving her tense and anxious and jumping out of her skin all morning at every sound, horrified that she was about to come face-to-face with the guy who’d brought back those feelings she’d thought she’d left in the past.

But her anxiety had been for nothing as Dylan had already left early that morning, and he’d still been AWOL by the time she and her dad left the house.

Distraction and avoidance. That’s what she needed to get through the next few days of living in the same house as the devil before she could return to her normal, predictable life. Which was why, instead of waiting for the moment she was confronted with Dylan, she’d decided she and her dad needed to get out.

Not surprisingly, her dad had given her no argument, since he’d been feeling restless himself the past few days.

Her dad seemed to be as lost in his thoughts as she was in hers as they shopped, their footfalls slow and measured as they went down the aisles, Tessa careful to keep her pace even with his.

“I think the only thing left on the list is laundry soap,” she said twenty minutes later as they reached that aisle.

“Here,” her dad said, reaching for the large box of their usual soap.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Not so fast,” she said, leaping forward to stop him. “You’re not supposed to be lifting or carrying that much. Let me get this, Dad.”

He didn’t argue but he did mutter something under his breath that she figured was probably better she didn’t understand. Her arms were full of the twenty-five pound box when her phone rang from the grocery cart, where she’d left it resting on top of her purse.

Tessa grunted as she squatted down to shove the soap under the cart and stood up, reaching for the phone, noticing her dad had leaned over to scan the caller ID.

She nearly jumped back when she saw Eric’s name flashing as it rang.

Thank heavens she’d seen the name before she picked up. She hadn’t heard from him since Saturday night when she’d ended things, and she was surprised that, after what she said, he was still reaching out.

“You going to get that?” her dad asked as she stood there.

“Nah. It can wait.” The phone finally stilled and the screen darkened. “Anything else you can think of we need?”

“Think we’ve got it all,” he said more thoughtfully as he stared at her before moving ahead to the checkout.

They were standing in the line a minute later when Jan Huckleberry joined them, her youngest granddaughter, who could be no more than four years old, in tow.

“Look at you, Joe Montenegro,” Jan said in an overly concerned tone. “What on earth are you doing up and about like this? You should be off your feet and at home resting.” She directed her stern gaze in Tessa’s direction, however, as she shook her head in disapproval. “I can’t tell you how worried I’ve been thinking about you out there alone on that farm these past few days, and if I didn’t have my grandkids with me seeing as how my daughter is on vacation, I would have stopped by.”

“Thanks for your concern, Jan, but Tessa here’s been home with me since Sunday and she’s been taking good care of me. Believe me, I’m here at the doctor’s recommendation. She’s told me that I can get out and make some use of this new hip. What are you up to, Jemima?” he asked, leaning down to greet the little girl, his effort showing as he gritted his teeth.

“Nan said if I’m good we’ll see the puppies,” she chirped.

“Puppies, huh?” he asked.

“They had a whole new litter over at the animal shelter that we thought we’d stop by and take a look at,” Jan explained. She paused as if something struck her. “Did you want to join us? That is, if you don’t think you’d be overdoing it?”

Tessa waited for her dad to make the usual excuse that it was probably best that he get on his way, but to her shock, he nodded. “I think that sounds like fun. I know Tessa probably has another errand or two she’d like to take care of without my holding her back.”

Something she couldn’t deny, but she felt like she should be objecting all the same. Leaving him with Jan Huckleberry, whose husband had died a few years back and, as consolation, had immersed herself, almost obsessively, in her kids’ and now her grandkids’ lives? She could hardly have anything to talk about with him.

“Are you sure? I was just driving over to Claudia’s place to say hello and see how she’s taking the news of the closure of her art studio.” And to see if she might convince the woman that maybe all wasn’t lost and Tessa could help her fight it if she wanted to. “I shouldn’t be that long.”

“You dad will be just fine with us, dear,” Jan said, smiling, a little too pleased. “All we’ll be doing is playing with the puppies and getting an ice cream cone.”

Tess waited for her dad’s usual attitude to appear that would tell Jan she didn’t have a chance with him. But instead he smiled fondly at the woman, his blue eyes warm and friendly. Tessa gulped. “Whatever you want to do, Dad.”

“I don’t think an ice cream cone could hurt anyone. You can text me when you’re all done.”

The young kid behind the checkout finished ringing up their items, and Tessa ran her credit card through the machine, taking two tries before she finally got it right, her mind numb. Grabbing the bags in one arm and the detergent in the other, she returned her attention to her dad.

“Okay. I guess I’ll see you in about an hour. Call me if you need me, okay?”

“Sure, honey. You go on and enjoy yourself.”

Yeah, you, too, Dad, she wanted to say with a less-than-enthused tone, but settled for a nod as she hurried to the car. Maybe the fresh air and new scenery after being so cooped up at home had given him a temporary delirium? That could be the only reason he’d take Jan up on her offer to hang out with them.

After piling the groceries inside the car, she drove to her next destination. Claudia Nunn’s.

Her research had turned up a couple of cases, and she was going to at least share what she learned with Claudia. It was a bittersweet sight as she pulled up and parked in the small lot that lined the fence between Claudia’s house and art studio. She read the sign in front.

Thank you, Blossom Falls, for allowing me to paint with you these past forty-two years.

Forty-two years. That was more than Tessa had realized. It might actually help implement her plan.

The door of the studio was open, and she could hear music playing softly from inside, drawing her in. As she suspected, despite this probably being the studio’s last week, Claudia was walking around the back of the studio, offering encouragement and tips to the five students painting. Ranging in age from seventy to ninety, the senior group was immersed in the art on the easels before them and hadn’t noticed her arrival.

Claudia saw her, though, and waved. “Tessa Montenegro. So good to see you. What can I help you with?”

Even after all these years, Claudia looked just as Tessa remembered. Her gray hair cut short so—as she used to put it—she didn’t have to keep brushing it back and could focus on the art, her blue eyes merry and filled with warmth and understanding.

“Oh, I only wanted to stop and say hello,” Tessa said, “but I can come back later when you’re not busy.”

“My class has five more minutes if you want to wait. Explore the room until then.”

“Great. I think I will.”

Walking around the room, Tessa smiled at the art and photos that covered most of the walls. She nearly choked when she caught sight of a painting of her own. A brightly painted picture of her mom’s flower garden, and even though Tessa’s skills were pretty basic, she could make out the gladiolas and the poppies, the violets and the rose bushes that once filled the garden so vibrantly. She would guess that she’d probably been around seven when she did this one.

She didn’t know how long she stood staring at the image when she felt Claudia reach her side. “I’m all yours, m’dear,” she said cheerily.

Tessa looked around, surprised to see everyone had already cleared out. Claudia was still studying Tessa’s painting. “Even back then I could see your talent.”

Tessa looked at her like she was crazy. “This isn’t even very good.”

“Art is about the expression of emotions and you did that beautifully.”

Tessa smiled. “You always did know what to say. I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that you’re going to be closing after all these years. You taught me so much.”

“Thank you. I will be sorry to see the place close down, but all things must end eventually.”

Now was her chance. “That’s what I wanted to speak to you about. Did Jasper tell you I was looking into the gas company’s claim?”

“He mentioned something.”

“I’ve been doing some research, and I think if we can get enough attention on what’s happening through the local television stations and papers, maybe even a spot in the LA Times—”

“I don’t want you to go to any trouble, Tessa.”

“But it wouldn’t be any trouble. My friend writes for the Times and I know she’ll be happy to help get some attention on this. With the right pressure and negative publicity, we could get the gas company to deviate from their plans. I mean, forty-two years. It’s practically an institution to Blossom Falls, you and this place.”

Claudia patted her arm, her eyes sympathetic. “I understand how much this place meant to you, Tessa, and it brings me pleasure to know that you’d be willing to do all of that for me. But I don’t want to fight this. True, it took me by surprise, and Lord knows how much this place has meant to me over the years. But I’m seventy-four years old, and as much as I love this, I’m getting weary. I have a daughter who lives in San Diego, who’s been wanting me to come and move closer to her and my grandkids, and with this opportunity, the money…well, I could sell the place for a tidy sum and find something closer to her and still have a fair amount to keep me afloat.”

The list of reasons, of case names and plans that Tessa had been working on suddenly were forgotten, and she took a moment to try and grasp what was happening.

Claudia really was okay with this. Better than okay. She was probably going to end up with a nice sum that would set her up for the rest of her life.

How could she argue with that? Yes, the community might still need an art studio, but this was no longer Claudia’s burden and she couldn’t make it seem like it was.

“I see,” Tessa said, feeling deflated. “So you’re really okay with this?”

“I really am, and as much as I’m sad for the community, the town is growing so much and thriving such that my little studio will hardly be missed.”

“That’s not true. And if it is, then I don’t accept that. Growing up, I found this place such a sanctuary, and I’m sure that it’s helped so many others over the years that it would be a tragedy that it all has to come to an end.”

“It’s just a shame you live so far away, dear. I’m sure with your drive and energy, you could have come up with some solutions for the community. Let’s hope that someone else sees the value in this place and what it provided and they’ll find a way to continue it.”

Tessa wasn’t so sure, having a sinking feeling that, once Claudia left, so would this small piece of Blossom Falls, and it broke her heart.

“In the meantime,” Claudia continued, “the Ladies’ Guild is throwing me a big farewell party next Saturday in the town square. I hope you’ll be able to make it.”

“I wish I could but I’ll be back in the city by then.”

“Come on. Don’t look so dreary,” Claudia said and smiled. “I was going to make myself some tea. Try and read a little of this book that we’re scheduled to discuss at this evening’s book club. But I’m afraid at this late date I won’t get much read. Maybe you could join me for tea instead?”

Tessa looked around at the open, airy room, knowing that it was probably the last time she would see it. But she was up in arms to fight a battle that no one saw the value of but her. Maybe Claudia was right. Someone would take it up. Maybe, someday.

In the meantime, she could say one last good-bye to another memory of her childhood.

Besides, it’s not like her dad was waiting for her. He was busy playing with puppies and eating ice cream.

And Dylan…well, he was doing whatever it was he did. It made no difference to her. There was no rush, no need to race away to build a save-the-studio plan.

She returned Claudia’s smile. “Tea sounds wonderful.”