Chapter 36

**A Turn of Fate**

The shop was finally finding its footing. Claire and Ethan’s hard work was paying off, and the town was beginning to embrace them as more than just newcomers. The buzz from the summer market had given them a much-needed boost, and they were optimistic that the worst was behind them.

But just as things started to feel steady, Claire received a phone call that sent her reeling.

It was a crisp morning, and Claire was in the shop’s back office, reviewing inventory. Ethan was out front, chatting with a customer about a newly arrived piece from a local artisan. The phone rang, and Claire answered without looking at the caller ID.

“Hello, this is Claire,” she said, distractedly flipping through her notes.

“Claire, it’s Sophie,” came the voice on the other end, urgent and breathless. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but there’s been a fire at the old shop in Seabreeze. I thought you’d want to know.”

Claire froze, her pen slipping from her fingers. “A fire? At our shop?”