Chapter 3: Shadows of the Past
1292 Words
Ethan stood at the window of the bed-and-breakfast, staring out at the snow-covered town. The early morning light painted Cedar Grove in soft hues of gold and white, but the serene beauty did little to calm the storm inside him. Last night had unearthed memories he had tried to bury—memories of Annie, of his father, and of the life he’d left behind.
He took a sip of his coffee, the bitter taste grounding him as his phone buzzed on the table. Without looking, he knew it was another email from his father, demanding updates on the resort deal. Ethan ignored it. For the first time in years, he wasn’t sure what to tell him.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He opened it to find Lucas, the owner of the bed-and-breakfast, holding a plate of freshly baked scones.
“Morning,” Lucas said with a friendly smile. “Thought you could use some breakfast.”
“Thanks,” Ethan replied, taking the plate. “You didn’t have to do that.”
Lucas shrugged. “Small-town hospitality. Besides, I heard about what you and Annie did last night. Pulling that woman out of the car? That was brave.”
Ethan smiled faintly. “Annie did most of the work.”
“Sounds about right,” Lucas said with a chuckle. “That girl’s got more fight in her than most people twice her size.”
Ethan nodded, his thoughts drifting back to Annie. “She hasn’t changed much, has she?”
Lucas tilted his head, studying him. “Not really. But you have.”
The comment caught Ethan off guard. “What do you mean?”
Lucas leaned against the doorframe, his expression thoughtful. “You left Cedar Grove as a kid with big dreams. Came back as a man with bigger ambitions. But somewhere along the way, you lost touch with what this place means to people. Annie’s just reminding you of that.”
Ethan didn’t respond, but Lucas’s words lingered long after he walked away.
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A Proposal on the Table
By mid-morning, Ethan found himself back at the bakery. The warm, inviting scent of freshly baked bread filled the air as he stepped inside, but this time, there was no tension in Annie’s stance. She was behind the counter, her sleeves rolled up and flour smudged on her cheek, chatting with a customer. She looked up as he entered, her smile fading.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone guarded.
“I need to talk to you,” he said. “It’s important.”
Annie excused herself from the customer and walked over, crossing her arms. “If this is about the resort, I’m not interested.”
“It’s not just about the resort,” he said. “It’s about Cedar Grove.”
She frowned but gestured for him to sit. “Fine. Talk.”
Ethan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “I know you think I’m here to destroy the town, but that’s not what I want. My father’s pushing this deal, yes, but I think there’s a way to make it work for everyone.”
“And what exactly does that look like?” Annie asked, skeptical.
“We could incorporate local businesses into the plan,” he said. “Use the resort to promote the town instead of replacing it. Partner with places like your bakery to give tourists a real taste of Cedar Grove.”
Annie raised an eyebrow. “You really think your father would go for that?”
“He doesn’t have to,” Ethan said firmly. “I’m the one managing this project. If I can prove it’s profitable, he won’t care how it’s done.”
“And what about when the next big corporation comes along?” she challenged. “How do we know this town won’t just get swallowed up anyway?”
Ethan leaned forward, his eyes earnest. “Because I’ll make sure it doesn’t. I’m not just doing this for my father or the company—I’m doing it for you, for the people here. I owe this town that much.”
Annie studied him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, the bakery was silent except for the soft hum of the oven. Finally, she spoke.
“I’ll think about it,” she said. “But don’t expect me to just roll over and trust you. You’ve got a lot to prove, Ethan.”
“I know,” he said, his voice soft. “And I will.”
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A Walk Down Memory Lane
Later that afternoon, Annie found herself walking along the edge of Cedar Grove, her thoughts heavy. Ethan’s proposal lingered in her mind, stirring a mix of hope and doubt. Could he really keep his promise? Or was this just another way to get what he wanted?
Her feet carried her to the old oak tree at the edge of town—a place she hadn’t visited in years. The tree stood tall and sturdy, its bare branches reaching toward the sky. Carved into the trunk was a heart with their initials: A+E.
She traced the carving with her fingers, the memory bittersweet. This was where they’d first kissed, where they’d dreamed of a future together. Back then, Ethan had been her whole world. But that world had come crashing down when he left without a word.
“Funny how some things never change,” a voice said behind her.
Annie turned to see Ethan standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets. “What are you doing here?”
“I followed you,” he admitted. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I don’t need you to check on me,” she said, turning back to the tree.
“I know,” he said quietly. “But I couldn’t help myself.”
They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Finally, Ethan spoke.
“I never stopped thinking about this place,” he said. “Or you.”
Annie swallowed hard, her emotions warring within her. “Then why did you leave?”
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Because I was scared. Scared of disappointing my father, of not being good enough for you. I thought leaving was the only way to protect you from that.”
“Protect me?” she repeated, incredulous. “Ethan, all you did was hurt me.”
“I know,” he said, his voice thick with regret. “And I’ve been carrying that guilt ever since. But I’m here now, Annie. And I want to make things right.”
She looked at him, her heart aching with a mix of anger and longing. “You can’t just come back and expect everything to be okay. It doesn’t work like that.”
“I know it won’t be easy,” he said. “But I’m willing to fight for it—for you.”
Annie stared at him, her walls beginning to crack. Part of her wanted to believe him, to let him back in. But another part, the part still nursing old wounds, wasn’t ready to forgive.
“We’ll see,” she said finally, turning away. “Actions speak louder than words, Ethan. Prove it.”
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The Beginning of a Fragile Hope
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Annie walked back to the bakery, her thoughts a whirlwind. Ethan’s return had shaken her more than she cared to admit, but it had also sparked something she hadn’t felt in years: hope.
For better or worse, things in Cedar Grove were about to change. And so was her heart.
- Writer
