Rayla zipped up her bag, double-checking to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Clothes, toiletries, her favorite book, and a small notebook for jotting down thoughts—everything was packed and ready to go. She sighed as she looked at the suitcase, a bittersweet feeling settling in her chest. She was still sad about not being able to see her dad, but the thought of spending a week in the bayou with Asher, Scarlet, and the others was enough to lift her spirits.
This wasn’t her first time visiting Grandma Rose and Nana Lily’s cottage, but it felt different this time. The last visit had been brief, more of a quick homemade meal than anything else. Now, she was going to spend an entire week there, surrounded by the warmth and chaos of Asher’s family. The thought of Grandma Rose’s legendar
