Chapter 5

Seven years later.

"Breathe, Sophie,... In and out... One... two... three..."

Sophie was a bundle of nerves as she attempted to steady her trembling hands enough to apply her make-up. It had been three days since the suspicious package wrapped in brown paper had been mysteriously left on her doorstep. She'd have been in less of a state right now if it hadn't taken her two days to work up the courage to open it.

She could still feel the way her heart rate quickened as she untied the brown craft string and gently tore at the seams of the paper. She recalled the confusion as she found herself staring at a shoebox for a pair of R.M. Williams Craftsman boots. Men's, size 10.

"Peculiar...." she thought to herself as she lifted the lid of the box. Hidden under a few layers of tissue paper was a book she had never seen before.

A lump formed in her throat as she inspected the cover—"Chance, Fate & Chocolate Cake: When Adventure Calls, Don't Hesitate. By Callum Buchanan." The author's name caused her to drop the book as she let out a gasp.

"My Callum..." she said out loud, bending down to collect the book from the floor. As she did, a note fell from the cover along with a single pressed marigold flower. She struggled to still her trembling hands as she read the message.

"Bilpin Springs Orchard. 5:30 PM, Wednesday evening. I'll be by the pear tree that stands alone in the courtyard. Don't hesitate."

It was already Tuesday, which gave her just under 24 hours to prepare herself. She spent most of that time with her head buried in the pages of Callum’s book. She had never read a book cover to cover in that short amount of time before. She laughed and cried as she relived every detail of their incredible, yet short relationship.

Over the years she had tried to move on from Callum. Briefly reconnecting with her ex, Matthew, only to immediately regret it. She went on a handful of dates. But one fact remained—It didn’t matter how attractive, charming, funny or nice these men were, they weren’t Callum.

Wednesday had come around much too quickly; she kept glancing at the clock, fumbling around her room, trying to find the perfect outfit as she struggled to decide how she should wear her hair.

She opted for a simple black top with lace accents and a pair of well-fitting jeans. The boots she selected had just enough heel to make her legs look shapely without being too difficult to walk in. She added the final touches to her make-up. She liked to keep her look as natural as possible, a light dusting of powder to cover any blemishes but allowed you to see her freckles. Coloured brows to frame her eyes and a touch of mascara to accentuate her naturally long lashes.

She'd always found it ironic how much effort went into looking effortless. She ran her hands through her ash-blonde hair one last time when she heard the notification to say her Uber was 5 minutes away. She opened her wardrobe and pulled out a black leather biker jacket. She rubbed her thumb over the smooth leather and smiled at the memory of the first time she wore it.

The horn from the Uber pulling up outside startled her from her daydream.

"Don't hesitate...." she whispered to herself as she threw the jacket on and picked up her purse.