Chapter 10: Flourishing Soil
Spring arrived in Pine Creek with vibrant blossoms of pink rhododendrons and wild white daisies along the highway. Sarah’s life took on a sweet, predictable rhythm. She had earned a promotion at the bakery, managing the front desk and designing custom event cakes. Her natural eye for detail, once suppressed by anxiety, now brought joy to hundreds of townspeople.
She saved every dollar carefully. By May, she had enough to rent a tiny two-bedroom cottage near the elementary school, featuring a small backyard covered in lush green grass.
On their first weekend in the house, Sarah and Lily planted a small garden. They dug their fingers into the cool, dark earth, planting tomatoes, sweet basil, and bright yellow sunflowers along the fence line.
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""Will they grow big, Mommy?"" Lily asked, wiping dirt onto her nose with the back of her glove.
""They will,"" Sarah smiled, patting the soft soil down around a small seedling. ""They have deep roots, good sunlight, and plenty of space to breathe. Anything grows strong when it feels safe.""
