But when Logan found out, he was furious. He threatened to report the girl and have her taken away, declaring it a liability. Claire stood her ground. With quiet resolve, she told him that if he made that call, she would walk away from the store she loved. Logan, cold and unmoved, smugly accepted her resignation.

The next morning, Claire returned to say a bittersweet goodbye—only to find the store bustling and Richard, the store’s aging owner, waiting for her. He had learned everything. And in that moment, he made a decision that would change both their lives: Logan would not be taking over. The store didn’t need a businessman—it needed a heart. It needed Claire. Because to Richard—and to the community—Claire wasn’t just an employee. She was the spirit of Willow’s Market. And now, it was hers to protect.