Chapter 38

In December, Lucy studies flower farming, reduces hours at her shop, and begins imagining her own operation. She tests her independence by seeing a show alone and reconnecting with friends. Missing Felix but resolved to go slow, she mails him forget-me-not seeds; he replies with The Secret Garden, and they resume contact.

They exchange more packages—dahlia and carrot seeds, The Language of Flowers, and PEI cookbooks—while shifting to calls and FaceTime. Cooking together becomes a ritual that rebuilds intimacy without labels. Lucy invests in self-care, hires a trainer, and continues to envision a detailed farm, including water access and a dog.

Over the holidays, Lucy pushes back when her parents suggest selling the shop and enjoys rare closeness with her brother Lyle on New Year’s. Bridget shares she’s having a girl and feeds Lucy’s dream by flagging a Point Prim waterfront parcel. Lucy learns Joy is engaged to Colin, further disentangling Felix’s past.

Through January and into February, Lucy’s apartment fills with gardening tools as her confidence grows. A perfect Bee-Stung Fried Chicken night underscores that their virtual togetherness isn’t enough, deepening her desire for a shared future. She spends her thirtieth birthday contentedly alone, recognizing her growth.

Finally, Lucy confides to her mother that she’s falling in love with Felix and asks to retire the childhood nickname that no longer fits her. Resolute, she calls Zach about the Point Prim land and, trusting him, decides to buy it without seeing it, committing to her PEI flower farm dream.