Falling For You (Honey Leaf Lodge #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

Violet

Chatter and laughter filled the air, along with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, which Abby and her team poured nonstop to volunteers. Tables were set up in a makeshift circle, people perched on folding chairs. More card tables were scattered with markers, poster boards, and homemade banners. The inside of the coffee shop was packed, and even more tables had been placed outside in the freezing cold, with only sidewalk heaters to keep the chill at bay.

When Millie said she could rally the troops, she meant it. I’d spent the last hour making calls, but I felt the Sunshine Breakfast Club had more to do with the numbers than anything.

A smile touched my lips as I scanned the coffee shop and saw the outpouring of support, not only for the lodge but also for my parents. It was a testament to their standing in the town.

My mom leaned over an orange poster and splashed glitter over the word fight , and I chuckled.

Sparkles always made things better.

“Violet! Over here!” Abby called out as she spotted me, her arms full of takeout cups. She moved swiftly from table to table, distributing caffeine like it was life itself.

Her smile was warm, but the fire in her eyes was undeniable. This wasn’t just about free coffee tonight. This was about the town fighting back.

I waved to her and weaved through the crowd. My heart swelled with gratitude at how many had shown up.

Folks from every corner of Buttercup Lake were here—shop owners, families, and even teenagers from the high school were pitching in. They were all here for one reason—to save our town’s charm.

As I made my way over, I caught glimpses of the signs being made. “ Don’t Destroy Our Town ” was scrawled across one in big, bold letters, “ Family Businesses Matter ” on another. “ Love and Loyalty Rule Here ” hung over the edge of a table, with a group of elderly women from the book club carefully outlining the words with glitter and glue.

“Hey, Abby.” I smiled and gave her a hug after she set down the tray of coffee. “Thank you so much for opening up your coffee shop to our little mission.”

Her eyes sparkled. “My absolute pleasure.”

“I know my parents are taking this moment in. It means a lot even if the outcome isn’t what we’re hoping,” I said, glancing at my dad talking to Beck in the corner.

“You know, I thought I should tell you something.” Her tone shifted slightly. “Got a sec?”

“Totally.” I nodded and took a deep breath as she scanned the coffee shop.

“I want to be completely transparent,” she started.

“Okay.” I cocked my head slightly in confusion.

“Owen stopped by earlier. He is a wreck.”

My tongue clicked against the back of my teeth as I shook my head. “About what?”

“Losing you.”

A forced laugh rolled off my lips. “Probably more so over being caught.”

She patted my arm gently and shook her head. “I didn’t get that feeling.”

“Well, I did.” My stomach knotted at the thought.

I wanted to believe that he genuinely didn’t want this to happen. Still, the problem was that he created the entire situation.

Abby sighed softly. “He wanted to tell you the moment he met you. That’s what he told me, and I believe it.”

“Yeah, he mentioned that to me, too.” I shrugged. “But he didn’t, and here we are.”

“You know he signed an NDA with Vern, right?”

I nodded, feeling my chest tighten. “He still could have hinted or—”

“I promise you, I’m not trying to play devil’s advocate or take his side, but those agreements are pretty serious. My friend had to sign one when she worked for some celebrity. She would be liable for a lot of money if she said a word. I can only imagine what Owen will face.”

My eyes connected with hers. “What do you mean will face?”

“Well, tomorrow after Vern signs is when the NDA expires, and he told you today. He told us today.” She studied me. “He’s on the hook for what he did and what’s about to greet Vern and the investors tomorrow morning. They aren’t signing until the afternoon, so they’ll know it came from him.”

The thought hadn’t exactly crossed my mind.

I was so focused on the betrayal and all the feelings sliding over me that I didn’t stop to think about the timing. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Owen. He had broken the NDA by telling me about the deal, but it was too late.

His confession didn’t change anything in my eyes. The land was still being sold to someone other than my family, a resort was being built, and our lives were about to be uprooted.

I looked around the room and nodded slowly. This storm was rolling into Buttercup Lake, and it was not stopping.

Besides, it would be best for Owen’s sake if he understood what loyalty looked like in his future endeavors.

She cleared her throat and picked up the tray. “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I saw him, and he looks like a mess. I think he truly feels bad about the turn of events.”

“So do I. My parents might lose everything.” I slipped my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. “And I basically invited him in and helped him to do it.”

“I understand why it feels that way, but maybe just think about the fact that he did tell you. He has given you time to rally the town.”

“Not much.”

“It might be enough.”

“Thanks, Abby.”

“Violet, darling!” Millie, the leader of the town’s infamous book club, waved me over with a grin. Her gray hair bounced as she gestured dramatically to the sign they were working on. “What do you think of our masterpiece? We’re making sure it catches everyone’s eye tomorrow!”

“It looks amazing.” It looked like a glitter jug threw up, but it got the point across. “You all are incredible.”

“Oh, we’re just getting started,” Millie said with a wink. “We’re spreading the word far and wide. By the time the protest rolls around tomorrow, we’ll have people from every corner of the county here to support you. We won’t let those big-city investors bulldoze over our community.”

Another woman from the book club and Millie’s granddaughter, Grace, chimed in. “Abby’s already got the café’s social media account blasting out the protest details on social media. We’ve been texting everyone in town. You know us—we’re relentless when we believe in something.”

I chuckled, even though my heart felt heavy. “I can’t thank you all enough. My family… we’re so grateful for all the support. This means the world to us.”

“Oh, sweetie,” Grace said softly, patting my hand. “Your family is a vital part of our town. Honey Leaf is a destination. Your petting zoo keeps this town fun. But we’re not just doing this for your family. This is about all of us. This is for the principal of it. If that resort goes up, Buttercup Lake will never be the same. We can’t let that happen.”

I nodded, the lump in my throat growing.

They were right. This wasn’t just about the land next to our lodge or my family’s business. It was about everything this town stood for—family, community, loyalty.

Things that couldn’t be bought with money, no matter how much was offered. I was stunned Vern didn’t see it that way. For all he knew, we could have come up with the money for the loan. We just never got that chance.

As I moved from table to table, more people stopped me, offering their support and words of encouragement.

“We’ve got your back, Violet,” Nate, our town’s sheriff, said as he helped his wife finish a sign that read “ Hands Off Our Town !”

He looked at me with that steady gaze. “They think they can come here and buy us out, but they don’t know what they’re up against. This town doesn’t give up that easily. I have to say that I’m disappointed with the aldermen and the mayor. They never told me they were cooking this up behind the scenes.”

“Thanks, Nate,” I said, smiling at him. “It’s… it’s just hard to believe that all this is happening.”

He nodded solemnly. “It’s hard, but it’s real. Just know we’re all with you. Whatever it takes.”

I smiled and nodded, moving along.

I fluttered from group to group at a dizzying pace. Each person who stopped me had a story about how Buttercup Lake had shaped their life—how the small-town values of family and community had meant something to them.

If nothing else, this was a good reminder of how special things were here.

Owen picked the wrong town.

But no matter how much love and support I felt, I couldn’t shake the hollowness inside.

I wanted to paint Owen as a bad man who only cared about money. But there was something more with him.

I felt it deep in my bones.

But it was too late.

I just couldn’t understand why his face kept creeping back into my mind. The way he smiled at me, the way he listened, and the way hemade me feel seen.

And the way he had betrayed everything I stood for.

As I approached a group of teens, including a few from the high school, I overheard a conversation that sent another jolt of pain through me.

“Can you believe it? That guy Violet’s been seeing, Owen, is one of the people behind this whole thing,” a girl said, shaking her head. “What a snake.”

“Just slithering in the grass, waiting to use people.” Another girl nodded. “That’s the kind of guy I don’t want to date.”

“I heard he was just using her to keep her distracted,” one of the guys added. “I can’t believe he did that to her family.”

The sting of their words hit me harder than I expected. I knew people were talking, but hearing it out loud… it was like a fresh wound being ripped open. And from a group of teenagers? I felt even dumber for falling for Owen’s lines and forced myself to push out any and all sympathy for him. After Abby’s talk, it had started to nudge its way in, but no longer.

“Hey, Violet,” one of the girls, Isabelle, said, noticing me. Her expression softened. “I’m so sorry about all this. We know Owen’s not who we thought he was. The guy even came to my boyfriend’s football game last night.”

Well, that explains one of the places where he was hiding, I thought to myself.

I forced a smile, even though my heart felt like it was being squeezed. “Thanks, Isabelle. I… I guess we all got fooled.”

She nodded sympathetically before turning back to the sign she was working on. “Well, we’re with you. We won’t let them get away with this.”

I thanked her, moving away quickly before anyone else could bring Owen up again. I didn’t want to talk about him. Not right now. Not when everything else was hanging by a thread.

As I reached the far side of the gathering, Abby appeared at my side, handing me a steaming cup of coffee. “I figured you could use this,” she said with a knowing smile.

I took the cup gratefully as the warmth spread through my fingers. “You have no idea.”

Abby studied me for a moment, her brow furrowing in concern. “You okay, Violet? I mean, I know you’ve got the whole town behind you, but… this is a lot. And I’m sorry for bringing up the Owen stuff. It’s not my place. Only you know what happened between you two.”

I exhaled slowly, staring down into the dark liquid in my cup. “It’s more than a lot, Abby. It’s everything. And I just keep thinking about how I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t see him coming.”

Abby’s face softened. “You’re talking about Owen.”

I nodded. “He was part of this the whole time, Abby. And I just… I let myself believe that he cared about me. That maybe, for once, something was going to go right. But it was all a lie.”

Abby reached out and squeezed my arm gently. “Violet, don’t be too hard on yourself. You couldn’t have known. Owen might have been caught up in something bigger than he knew how to handle. That doesn’t excuse what he did, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t care about you.”

“I don’t know if I can believe that anymore. All I know is that the resort’s coming, and it will destroy everything if we don’t stop it.”

“And that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Abby said firmly.

I nodded, grateful for her words, but the sadness lingered. No matter how much I tried to focus on the fight ahead, the thought of Owen haunted me.

How could I have been so wrong about someone?

Laughter pulled me from my thoughts, and I saw a group of kids racing around with banners in their hands. Their excitement was infectious.

I smiled despite myself. Even in the face of all this uncertainty, the spirit of Buttercup Lake was alive and well.

It was cold and dark, and it didn’t matter. The town showed up.

The next few hours flew by in a whirlwind of activity. People continued to arrive, some carrying food for everyone, others bringing more supplies for signs and banners. The buzz of conversation filled the air.

Plans were made for tomorrow’s protest. The book club ladies were in their element, strategizing like seasoned generals. Millie took charge, ensuring everyone knew their role and keeping spirits high.

“We’ll be ready,” she said with a confident nod as I passed by. “I’ve been through more than a few protests in my time, Violet. One more thing—this town knows how to make noise when we need to.”

“I don’t doubt it, Millie. I just hope it’s enough.”

“It’ll be enough,” she said firmly. “People like those investors? They don’t expect a fight. They think they can waltz in, throw their money around, and get their way. But we will show them that this town isn’t for sale. Funny thing, though. I didn’t expect that Owen guy to be part of it. He struck me as a genuine type.” She waggled her brows. “I even saw him for you.”

“Yeah.”

“Guys, come look. Quick! There’s a zebra on Main Street!” one of the kids yelled, his voice high-pitched with excitement.

The holler broke me from my trance, and I looked up from the coffee shop window, blinking in disbelief. A zebra? Here?

I stepped outside just in time to see the small crowd gathering.

Sure enough, the zebra trotted right down the middle of Main Street like it owned the place.

Our zebra.

Its black-and-white stripes stood out starkly against the quaint storefronts. It casually meandered toward the antiques store at the end of town, completely unfazed by the growing commotion.

“Is that…?” Millie asked, and I nodded.

My youngest sister, Sienna, popped out of the coffee shop. “Oh, no. How did Macy get out?”

Liam followed right behind. “Darn it, Barcode. I knew you were trouble.”

Sienna scowled at my brother. “I told you a million times. Her name is Macy. We are not calling her Barcode. I don’t care how clever you think it is.”

Liam chuckled, and a smirk covered his face. “Come on. You have to give it to me. That’s a good one, right?”

I chuckled as Sienna rolled her eyes, and Liam slowly jogged toward the zebra.

One of the kids turned to me, wide-eyed. “Is it real? Or did you guys paint it?”

I chuckled. “Nope. No paint was used. She’s a new resident at our zoo, but we haven’t introduced her to the public yet.”

Millie laughed. “I guess she felt it was time.”

“Barcode apparently figured out how to open the gate,” my dad muttered, shaking his head.

Sienna scowled. “Dad, it’s not Barcode. Her name is Macy, regardless of what Liam is telling you.”

“I don’t know. Barcode is pretty clever.” My dad chuckled.

Sienna shook her head as the gathering crowd grew, while Liam slowly started coaxing the zebra with kisses and a carrot.

“Why does your brother have a carrot with him?” my mom asked, frowning.

“I don’t even want to know the answer to that.”

My parents chuckled as Beck, carrying a rope, went out with Liam to wrangle Macy.

“Should we help?” Sienna asked as Fifi came up behind us.

I laughed and shook my head. “Nah, let’s have the boys handle it. Way more fun this way.”

“Liam, grab the rope!” Beck hollered, darting after the zebra, who was currently turning directions for fun. “I dropped it by you.”

“I’m trying!” Liam fumbled with the length of rope in his hands. “This thing’s faster than it looks!”

Macy flicked her tail and trotted ahead, completely unfazed by the growing spectacle. Kids and adults laughed and pointed while others snapped pictures on their phones. It was starting to feel like a parade—except the zebra was the only act.

Beck made another lunge, but Macy zigged just in time. Beck stumbled, barely catching himself. “You said she was tame!”

“She is tame!” Liam called back, finally managing to loop the rope. “She’s just… feeling a little spirited today.”

“Spirited? Try frisky,” Beck growled, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. “The dang zebra’s got more spirit than half the town!”

Liam threw the rope and missed Macy entirely. “Okay, new plan.”

“What’s the new plan?”

“We wait for her to get tired.”

Beck glanced at Macy, who was now nibbling on a mum pot. “Yeah, well, she’s not the only one who’s tired.”

Macy flicked her ears, clearly enjoying her adventure as Liam gently got the rope around her.

The crowd cheered, and my brothers took a bow.

We needed this levity.

It was also the perfect break to let the dwindling volunteers disperse. My parents wandered over to Macy and my brothers while my sisters chatted with Millie.

I looked around the lake and couldn’t help but pause at the hotel where Owen was staying. The glowing, warm window reflections bouncing off the lake looked so inviting. It was hard to believe I would have done anything to be there with him yesterday. And today, I just wanted to crumple.

But I didn’t. It was time to fight for what was right.

Buttercup Lake had always been my home, my heart. And now, with everything on the line, I realized just how much it meant to me.

More than I had ever admitted to myself.

Owen’s face flashed in my mind again, and I didn’t try to push it away this time. The sadness was still there, but so was something else—a sense of closure.

He had made his choice, and now, I was making mine. I wouldn’t let him, or anyone else, take away the things I loved.

I watched as everyone disappeared into the night, leaving me to stand alone in the quiet. The air was cool, and the stars werejust starting to peek through the twilight sky.

I took a deep breath, letting the stillness wash over me.

Tomorrow would be a fight.

A fight for my family, town, and everything we stood for. And I wasn’t going to let anyone take that away from us.

Not even Owen.