One year later, Jane stood before a flower shop, a white canvas bag slung over her shoulder, wearing a linen-colored dress.
She bought a bouquet of golden sunflowers from the shopkeeper.
As she paid, the owner smiled warmly. "Ms. Paxton, thank you for your patronage!"
Jane gazed at the sunflowers, her lips curving slightly.
"These sunflowers brought me new life and strength. I should be thanking you."
When she turned, she collided abruptly with someone—a man with delicate features, tall and upright, exuding gentle refinement.
Andrew Lawson offered her a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee.
"Ms. Paxton, care to join me for coffee? Then perhaps a walk along the shore?"
Jane hesitated before accepting the cup. The warmth spreading through her palm made her tremble faintly.
She lowe
