Three years earlier:
Kelly walked quickly down the hall to her office, her heels clicking on the polished marble floor. She felt confident in her light pink business skirt and blazer as she carried her purse and portfolio. It had been a productive day, and the client she just met with was on board for a very profitable project.
In the heart of Leavonville, a picturesque small town nestled between rolling hills and vibrant wildflower meadows, Kelly had built a thriving business: KJ Event Planning. It was more than just a business; it was a passion project that Kelly had nurtured from the ground up. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, creative flair, and unwavering commitment to her clients, Kelly had transformed her venture into the go-to service for corporate events and community gatherings in Leavonville and the surrounding areas.
Kelly had just come back from one of the most ambitious projects to date, an upcoming charity gala for the hospital in the neighboring town of Gardenwood. The gala, titled “A Night Under the Stars,” was set to be the social event of the upcoming year, aiming to raise funds for new pediatric equipment. She already had a vision for the evening that would transport guests into a magical, starlit garden, complete with twinkling lights, elegant floral arrangements and a gourmet dining experience and thankfully she had some time to put it all together.
She loved working in the four-story historic building with its high ceilings, tall columns, and ornate carvings in the crown moldings, and head jambs. It had been a part of the town since Leavonville was founded in 1759 that stood proudly on Main Street. She could smell a little bit of the mustiness when she walked in, but the town historians kept the building in good condition and the cleaning service came every day. Inside, the space was a blend of rustic charm and modern elegance, with exposed wooden beams, soft lighting, and walls lined with photographs and memorabilia from past events.
It was quiet for the moment, but Kelly knew the peace wouldn’t last. Her business was very successful, but there was always lots to do for the two-woman operation. She touched the bun on her head and smoothed down any escaping wisps of hair, and then took a deep breath. When she opened the door to KJ Event Planning, the expected chaos ensued.
“The Wilkersons want to know if you’ll plan their daughter’s wedding,” said her assistant Ashley Davis. She was one of her best friends and one of the sweetest women in the town, but in the office, she was a warrior. They’d worked together since Kelly opened the business, and she felt like she’d be lost without her.
“You know I don’t handle weddings. We handle corporate and town events. If we start doing weddings, we’ll be overrun by couples, and we won’t have time for anything else," Kelly said as she took the phone messages handed to her and grabbed a package left by FedEx. The front desk overlooked a small waiting area with plush burgundy lounge chairs and Armenian rugs.
“Next order of business, we need to have a budget meeting,” Ashley said , following close behind her boss. “We’ve got expenses coming up.”
Kelly stopped abruptly, almost causing Ashley to run into her. “I got the Gardenwood Memorial Hospital account,” she grinned. “It’s the big gala event they are having, it’s definitely a lot of work but it will be worth it. And I think we can afford to wait for budget discussions until next week.”
“Gardenwood Memorial! Thank God!” Ashley said. “And congratulations!”
They stood in silence for a few moments before Kelly groaned. “Okay, what else? I can see from your face there’s more.”
“I was just letting you celebrate for a second,” Ashley smiled. “Well, the cocktail bar and area is set up at the theater. Alcohol has been delivered, and the caterers are on schedule, but the musicians say they want more money.”
“Thanks for getting everything set up. Send a copy of the contract to the musicians - it’s fair, and they agreed to it. Plus, they’ll probably get tips.”
Ashley headed to her computer at the front desk, and Kelly stepped into her office and shut the door. Enjoying the instant quiet, she walked over the cream-colored rug, left the package on the round table, and sat down at the small desk. She didn’t need it much because most of the time she worked at her standing desk and dry erase board. All the furniture was white because while she loved colors in her event planning, this was a space made simple for creating. She didn’t want to be overwhelmed by sounds or sights while she was busy making client dreams come true.
Reaching back to the in-wall bookshelf behind her, she lit two eucalyptus and sage candles. If she dawdled too long, she’d have to practically run over to the theater, but she needed a few minutes to refresh her mind and make sure she hadn’t missed any details.
They still had a few hours before the cocktail party which would follow the local theater’s opening night of the new show Missing Information. KJ Event Planning played a small part, but it was a great opportunity to drum up more business.
Kelly took out her compact mirror and checked her makeup. She thought she looked pretty good for a 33-year-old. She had a natural beauty, with warm brown eyes and sparkled with kindness and a welcoming smile that could light up any room. Her chestnut hair, often tied back in a bun or in a practical ponytail framed her face with casual elegance. Kelly’s wardrobe was a blend of comfort and style, favoring well worn jeans and cozy sweaters when not at work. She had a knack for looking effortlessly put together, whether it was meeting clients, running errands, or enjoying her coffee at the local cafe.
Despite her success with KJ Event Planning, Kelly remained refreshingly down to earth. She was the type of person who would stop to chat with neighbors during her morning run, always asking about their families and offering a helping hand. Her weekends were often spent participating in community events, whether it was organizing a charity bake sale, volunteering at the animal shelter or simply enjoying a potluck dinner with friends and family.
She felt pretty, but most men didn’t seem to notice, and she wasn’t one to go out of her way to get attention. Kelly dressed the part for work but was just as comfortable in jogging pants as she was in business clothes. Her closet didn’t offer much in the middle. She kept telling herself that she didn’t go to these events looking for men. It was easier just to stay in career woman mode. She was shy growing up, and her somewhat erratic dating record reflected that. She didn’t love often, but she loved deeply. So, when her heart was broken, it took a long time to heal.
Recently, Kelly’s heart had been shattered by the unexpected end of a relationship she had believed was destined for forever. Her ex boyfriend Matt, had been her confidant and partner for over a year, sharing dreams of a future together in Leavonville. However, one evening, he confessed that he felt stifled in their small town life and longed for the excitement of the city. Despite the heartache, she maintains her cheerful facade, pouring herself into her work and leaning on the unwavering support of her friends and community to heal.
Of course, being single in a small town, she got a lot of advice from well-meaning people.
“The right guy will come along when you least expect it.”
“There are a lot of fish in the sea.”
“The more men you meet, the better chance you have.”
“You need to have a strategy to meet men.”
Kelly sighed and shook her head. If there’s a person for everyone, mine must have gotten hit by a bus.
“Checking yourself in the mirror again, Kel?” Ashley asked, walking in. Kelly thought she always looked amazing even without trying. She was tall and slender with blue eyes and long, thick and beautiful blonde hair, the kind people pay big money for at the salon. Her eyes were dark but welcoming, and her smile dazzled even the coldest heart. Kelly was extremely envious but loved her friend immensely.
“You look great – don’t worry,” Ashley said. “Tonight, is going to be fine.”
“Look at these bags under my eyes, I’m in need of some caffeine or Botox or something,” Kelly groaned and put the mirror back in her purse. “Are you going to head over with me?”
“No, I need to stop by my place first – I’ll meet you there.”
It was a mild October day, but the wind was picking up because of a hurricane hundreds of miles away in the North Atlantic Ocean. Just in case it got cooler, she grabbed her light trench coat and headed to the elevator. Her business was located at the start of Main Street, so if she wanted to be on time, she’d have to walk through the downtown area and cross the town center park to get to the theater.
Kelly rushed down the sidewalk past the courthouse, utility office, and sheriff’s department. Because of the cloudy afternoon, the town’s vintage designed lamp posts were lit up. Every other one displayed a vertical banner advertising the theater’s new production. The signs flapped against the posts in a staccato manner, almost sounding like applause.
Each corner had an iron wrought bench with a plaque that told who donated it. Benches were usually occupied by people taking a rest, meeting up with a friend, or challenging others to a game of chess. Most days people stopped to chat or sent a friendly wave. But everyone was having a hard time holding onto their skirts, jackets, and hats, much less keeping their hairstyles intact. They all wanted to get home as quickly as possible due to the nasty weather.
Kelly saw the librarian, Sylvia Hughes, an ex-schoolmate, fighting with the wind and apparently losing as her papers blew away down the dusty road. Her dirty blond hair had escaped out of the pony tail she always wore, and her long skirt kept wrapping itself around her chubby body. She was a gentle, reserved person who preferred the quiet of her books. It was evident that the weather was making her miserable, so Kelly stopped to assist.
“Sylvia, can I do something to help?”
“Oh, no!” she cried. She was yelling through the wind, but Kelly could hardly hear her soft voice. “I can’t believe I lost all those papers. My boss will be so angry!”
“It’s okay, I’m sure you have backup, right?”
The librarian stopped, startled, and then beamed. “I’m so silly. Of course, I have backup!” She turned to go back into the building.
“Sylvia, you can get those printed tomorrow! Go home! It’s crazy out here!”
“You’re right, my friend! Have a good evening!” She took off towards the parking lot, holding on tight to her purse and keeping her jacket closed.
Kelly continued down the block, jumping when a siren blared as a deputy drove by at a high speed.
People can’t drive in this weather. Just a little wind, rain, or snow and they’re all over the road.
She was glad she was able to walk everywhere and didn’t need a car. She enjoyed walking through town and didn’t have to worry about upkeep on an automobile.
As she came to the corner across from the town square, she stopped to look around, despite the wind and the fact that she was in a hurry. Even in the dimming light, the sight of green, red, and yellow leaves on the trees was enchanting. The oak, sugar maples, and dogwood were particularly breathtaking and held strong, bending their branches but not breaking from the forces of mother nature.
Leavonville was snuggled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which had a powerful beauty, but the town had an appeal all its own. On each of the four streets bordering the park, were older, two-story buildings that offered space for people to sell their wares as well as upstairs offices for administration. Many of the businesses had big custom signs, some vintage because they’d been there so long, others specially designed to match the town. Some of the brick buildings had integrity designed cornices hanging at the top and others had archways that extended over the sidewalks.
Across the street to her right was a deli and tea room called It’s About Thyme, an old-fashioned ice cream shop, a pizzeria, and Patty’s Pastries. The newest addition was a spice and tea exchange that also offered a variety of olive oils.
“Hi Kelly,” said Peter Haywood, who was bringing in the sidewalk display for his shop, Roses Are Red, on the block to her left. He was an African American balding man in his 60s whose smile was infectious. Although he was skinny as a rail, his arms had muscles, and he did all the manual labor himself. Kelly liked working with him when she needed flowers or plants for an event.
“Are you coming to opening night?” she asked.
“Not tonight, I have a big order for tomorrow.”
“Ashley assures me your plants for the cocktail party are gorgeous. You’re the best!” she said, stepping aside for a man juggling several bags.
Jim Jackson was in his 50s and losing his hair. He was trying to decide which was more important to hold on to, the groceries or his hat. “Sue and I are going tonight,” he piped in as he watched his fedora blow away. He bought his wife a small bouquet every Friday night, come rain or shine, and like clockwork he was getting her another one.
“See you there!” Kelly grinned as she watched him hurry down the street past Bella’s Boutique, Paws & Tails, an antique store, and the market. She couldn’t see much more through the trees, but on the other side of the park was a street with a bicycle shop, hiking supply store, hobby store, and dance studio. Her destination was the theater which was located between an upscale restaurant and Big Al’s Brewing Company.
Crossing the street over to the park, she frowned at the sudden knot in her stomach, as if something bad was going to happen.
I’m being silly. It’s just the dark clouds.
Kelly shook off the bad vibes when she realized that the park was pretty much empty. She was used to seeing families having picnics, fathers tossing their toddlers in the air, people playing frisbee with their dogs, and couples stealing kisses. There was nobody there now; the only evidence left was a discarded toy and an empty chip bag that swirled around in a circle with the leaves.
She quickened her stride and made her way to the featured part of the park. At the center of the square was a white, octagon gazebo, surrounded by benches, picnic tables, and flower beds. It was the best place in town for memorable occasions. Every week someone was proposing, getting married, having a birthday party, or celebrating a family reunion here. And she used the gazebo when she planned town events for celebrations such as Fourth of July or Founders Day. She stopped at a bench to get a pebble out of her shoe and realized that Artie McGuire still had his coffee cart open.
Deciding to grab a hot mocha latte before the show, she approached the cart, money in hand. Suddenly a huge gust of wind came through and seemed to blow her in every direction. She managed to stay vertical, but the money flew down the sidewalk, probably to join Sylvia’s papers. Scrambling after it, Kelly almost caught up when she ran smack into a muscular chest.
“Oh! I’m sorry . . .” she stammered as she looked up into the most amazing pair of honey-colored eyes.