He used to call his grandmother's farm a dump, until the gate stayed locked and everything changed.

The kind of woman who could tell a florist where to unload, calm a nervous bride and solve a problem in two sentences and a look.

When Derek approached her with a smile, she didn't return it. "Private event today," she said. "Guests only."

Derek laughed as if she'd made a small, funny mistake. "I'm family. Tell my sister we're here. She knows."

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