Chapter 1
Even on days he considered pulling up stakes and finally moving away from his hometown, Zach Seagon had to admit Lightning Gap was absolutely gorgeous. Tucked away high in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, the views were breathtaking year-round. But autumn was when the little alpine tourist town truly put on a show.
All the multicolored Victorian houses along the main street were nearly as dressed up as the mountains. Broad porches with pots full of mums as vibrant as the turning leaves. Orange, yellow, and white pumpkins freshly carved from the Halloween contest just passed, with each winner’s ribbons proudly displayed. Several of those grand old houses had carvings under the topmost eaves, with apples and corn and acorns and gourds the most common.
A delightful variety
