The Shop on Second Chances (EBOOK)

Chapter 1 - Emily

Emily Lewis gripped the steering wheel as she navigated the unfamiliar streets of Maplewood Grove. Her GPS chimed with a robotic "You have arrived at your destination" just as she spotted the development sign ahead. The late afternoon sun glinted on her finger, where her wedding ring remained, a symbol of her commitment and love for Edgar, even after three years without him.

"You can do this," she whispered, tapping her fingers against the wheel.

The development looked newer than the photos online; some houses still had construction equipment in the yards. Emily checked the address against her paperwork, squinting at house numbers until she found it: 47 Willow Lane. Her house. The cottage with the wraparound porch stood at the curve of the road, its fresh paint gleaming.

She pulled into the driveway and cut the engine, but didn't move. Through the windshield, she could see a woman walking a dog watching her curiously from across the street.

"Just neighbors being neighborly," Emily told herself, but her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the door handle. Claire had promised this would be the perfect place to open her flower shop, to finally use the degree she'd put aside during her marriage. But what if she'd made a terrible mistake?

The scent of fresh-cut grass drifted through her cracked window, along with the distant sound of children playing. Emily took a deep breath, grabbed a box, and stepped out of the car.

She paused on the top step, cradling the cardboard box against her hip. The front door groaned as she nudged it shut, and sunbeams spilled across the pale hardwood floor, illuminating drifting dust. A faint pine scent from the nearby woods mingled with the sharp tang of fresh paint.

In the kitchen, her stainless-steel coffee maker stood ready on the counter beside a stack of white mugs. She set the box down and ran a hand along the cool quartz surface. Next, she shuffled into the living room, brushing past the back of a sage-green couch that faced two tall windows. Outside, children’s laughter threaded through the gentle hum of lawnmowers and the soft rustle of leaves. She dropped another box by the wall lined with empty picture hooks. Later, she’d fill them with memories.

A breeze ruffled the curtains. She stepped onto the porch, planting bare feet on warm boards. Neighbors leaned over picket fences, hands gesturing as they traded greetings. The scent of newly turned soil drifted in from the community garden next door, where solar-topped fence posts caught the afternoon sun. Emily closed her eyes and let the chorus of birdcalls wash through her.

Back inside, she shuffled through a pile of linen napkins, pausing at a small framed photograph of Claire wearing a daisy chain crown. Emily pressed her thumb against its glass, remembering how her daughter had coaxed her dormant passion for flowers back to life. In her pocket jingled a slender key  — the key to the little shop on Main Street she’d rented.

Twilight seeped in, painting the walls rose and amber. Emily carried the last of the boxes upstairs and dropped onto the mattress. The sheets smelled faintly of lavender soap, and the pillows fluffed around her. She let her shoulders loosen, listening to the distant echo of evening settling over Maplewood Grove.

She closed her eyes, the promise of tomorrow flickering behind her lids: morning light in her sunny storefront, jars brimming with blossoms, customers drawn in by petals and possibility. For now, though, there was only the quiet of this new home, and the gentle pull of sleep.

The next morning, Emily was up at the crack of dawn and drank her cup of coffee before she had a quick shower and made her way into town. Her shop was beckoning.

She worked in the shop throughout the morning, bringing her vision to life. Time vanished, and lunch arrived quickly.

She stood back to admire her handiwork.

The shop was finally taking shape. Fresh flowers in vibrant bouquets lined the shelves, filling the air with a heady scent. The space was feeling like the flower shop she had always dreamed of.

She sighed with satisfaction, wiping her hands on her jeans, and checked her hair in the little mirror in the staff bathroom. Her graying bob was still neatly in place, and she reapplied a light lipstick and rolled her lips.

Now, it was time to explore the town a bit more and introduce herself to the local businesses.

Her first stop: Gordon’s Bakery.

She’d noticed the bakery when she’d driven to her shop that morning, and she had decided that was where she would go for lunch.

She walked down the street, heading toward the bakery. All around her, neighbors greeted each other, with a friendly atmosphere hanging in the air. She saw the edge of the park a little further down the way, and the sound of children playing drifted toward her on the breeze.

Before long, the bakery lay right ahead, a quaint little building with a cheerful sign that read “Gordon’s Bakery.” The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, drawing her in.

When she pushed open the door, the sound of warmth and chatter wrapped around her. People sat at small round tables in the dining area, feasting on their loot from the counter and sipping coffee. The bakery charmingly combined homey and rustic, and a large display case filled with an array of delectable pastries stretched along one side.

The walls were decorated with vintage baking tools and photographs of the town’s history.

Emily looked at some photos. Maplewood Grove had been around for a while, it seemed, and the people were proud of their heritage.

“Morning,” someone said, and Emily turned.

Behind the counter stood a tall, broad man, his silver-gray hair neatly combed back. “I’m Gordon.”

“Emily,” she said with a smile. “I’m new to town.”

“I figured,” he said with a grin. His eyes twinkled, but something about him seemed…sad.

“Yeah?” she asked. “That obvious?”

“Around here, everyone knows everyone, so if we don’t know someone, they’re new. Not just passing through?”

Emily shook her head. “No, I moved into the new development this past weekend. I own the flower shop down the road.”

“Ah, I noticed there was something new happening. The town could use some fresh bouquets; we usually just grab a handful of wildflowers from an obliging field, but it doesn’t always quite do the trick.” He chuckled, a deep laugh that rumbled in his chest.

The sound was pleasant, and Emily wanted to hear more of it. Gordon’s voice was soothing to listen to, but something about him, underneath the laughter and the welcoming nature, was melancholic.

Or was she imagining it? Maybe she was just seeing her own sorrow, ascribing something to him that might not be there.

“What can I get for you today?” Gordon asked, turning his attention to the pastries on display.

“Oh, there are so many different things to choose from,” Emily said, studying the various options.

“What kind of pastries do you like?”

“I like them all,” Emily said with a chuckle, glancing up at Gordon. “Pastries are my weakness, you know. It’s never good for my waistline.”

“Oh, I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Gordon said with a grin, and Emily blushed. “You’re lovely.”

She blushed harder and turned her attention back to the display case.

She selected an assortment of pastries, including a cinnamon roll that looked irresistible. Gordon carefully wrapped each item, placing them in a neat box. The conversation flowed easily with Gordon as he worked. He had a kind soul, and Emily was drawn to him.

When Emily paid for her pastries, she didn’t sit down at a table. She didn’t want to sit there alone when everyone else was with someone. It reminded her she was alone, that Edgar was gone.

Instead, she walked to the park to eat them. She watched children play in the play area and listened to the leaves rustling before she headed back to her shop.

It didn’t take long before her first customer entered the flower shop. A woman with graying wavy hair and a straw hat glanced around. She took off her hat and looked at Emily, curious.

“Ah, I was wondering about the new florist,” she said, extending a hand. “I’m Ellie.” Her smile was friendly, but she looked Emily up and down, studying her.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ellie. I’m Emily Lewis.”

Ellie looked around. “You have a nice collection of flowers here.”

“Oh, thank you. Are you looking for something in particular?”

Ellie shook her head. “Oh, no, no. I just wanted to stop by and see who my new competition is.”

Emily frowned. “Your competition?” She hadn’t been aware that there was another florist in town. She’d done her homework and had come up empty when she’d looked for somewhere to settle.

“I cultivate flowers for shows, and I have a flower arranging business,” Ellie said. “I run it out of my home. I don’t have a shop, but when someone needs something…they know where to find me.”

Emily felt a prickle of unease. Ellie wasn’t unkind exactly, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and her statements seemed almost hostile. Emily hoped it was just in her head.

“That sounds wonderful,” Emily said kindly, forcing a broad smile. She didn’t want to make an enemy so soon after moving to town, and she definitely didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. “I hope we can work together and support each other. There’s room for both of us, right?”

Ellie’s gaze hardened slightly. “We’ll see.” She smiled again, but it was the same almost hostile smile. Emily was definitely not imagining it. “Best of luck with your shop, Emily.”

“Thank you,” she said brightly. “It was nice meeting you.”

As Ellie left the shop, another customer entered. The woman was elegant, moving with grace, and she wore a skirt and a matching blazer. She introduced herself as Lila, and the entire meeting was a lot more friendly than what Emily had just experienced.

“I see you’ve already met Ellie,” Lila said after explaining she owned the bookstore across the road, and her husband James was a writer.

“Yes…” Emily said, trying not to spread gossip. “I heard she’s a florist of sorts, too. She came to tell me so.”

“Did she come to meet the competition?”

Emily sighed. “That’s exactly how she said it. I’m not really trying to be anyone’s competition…”

“Don’t worry about Ellie,” Lila said, waving her hand. “She’s protective of her business, but more than anything else, she’s very competitive. She’s always been. But she’ll come around. She’s a wonderful person if you’re not competing against her—she just loves winning.” Lila smiled kindly. “This town has a way of bringing people together, and you’ll get to know each other.”

“That’s a relief to hear,” Emily said. “I don’t want to make any enemies.”

She wanted to make her shop a success and find her place in Maplewood Grove.

After chatting for a few minutes more, Lila left the shop, and Emily helped a few other customers who were curious about the new store or in need of a bouquet. Finally, it was time to close for the day.

As she cleaned up, she thought about the people she had met so far.

Gordon, with his gentle kindness and hidden sorrow; Ellie, with her guarded hostility; Lila, with her eloquent grace and warm smile. Her first day had been good.

Cleo and Rachel, who worked above the bookstore and were just as curious as Lila had been, and a few others.

Building relationships here would take time and patience, but Emily was ready for the challenge, and she wanted to make friends. She was done living an isolated life as she had before. She had a feeling she would come to love this town and its people.

Emily’s thoughts turned to Claire. She couldn’t wait to share all of this with her daughter. Claire would love the bakery, the friendly atmosphere and the beautiful nature surrounding the town.

And she would be proud of her mother for taking this bold step. Emily was proud of herself, too. It was never too late to follow your dreams and start anew.

Tomorrow would be the start of something new and wonderful, and Emily was excited about what lay ahead.