A Stargazing Summer Chapter 1

Lily Parker yawned and took a sip of her coffee as she steered her car into the winding driveway of the Hawthorn Estate, which was already buzzing with activity. So much for being an early bird, she thought with a wry smile. The sun was beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the sprawling grounds, and she could see clusters of people already gathered around tables laden with assorted items.

For weeks, her grandmother had talked non-stop about the upcoming Hawthorn yard sale. When the day finally arrived, Gran’s fatigue had kept her bedridden. Her chronic heart condition was the very reason Lily had moved to Willowbrook, determined to take care of her. Lily had promised that if Gran rested and stayed in bed, she’d tell her all about it over tea when she got home.

Gran had insisted the Hawthorn yard sale was the event of the season, and as Lily parked her car and started up the driveway, she had to admit it looked like everyone in Willowbrook had beaten her there. Tables overflowed with antique trinkets, vintage furniture, and rare collectibles, drawing the eager crowd. The scent of fresh coffee and homemade pastries wafted through the air, mingling with the crisp morning breeze.

Gran had shared tales of the Hawthorn family, known for their generations of antique collectors and adventurers. They’d traveled the world in search of rare and legendary items, some even rumored to be magical. The family’s fortune had been made by selling these finds to the right people. With Agatha Hawthorn being the last of her line, it seemed she was now parting with the treasures collected over the years.

Lily didn’t put much stock in legends or magic, but she loved a good yard sale. As she gazed up at the grand red Victorian home, she knew this was one of the best she’d ever seen. The intricate gingerbread trim and the turret that jutted into the sky gave the house an almost fairy-tale quality.

Lily’s own business, though much smaller, mirrored the Hawthorns in a way. She had a knack for finding unwanted items that others would pay handsomely for and had built her website, Forgotten Finds, to sell them. Excitement bubbled up inside her at the thought of helping Gran with the mounting medical bills if she did well today.

She walked past tables of old clothes and jewelry, noting that nothing had price tags. Odd, she thought. Most yard sales she attended were more organized. As she moved on, her attention was drawn to tables displaying antique pottery and paintings. Just as she was about to dismiss the sale as an overhyped letdown, her gaze locked onto an item that made her freeze in her tracks: an antique star map.

The map was a thing of beauty. Silver and gold ink outlined constellations with a shimmering glow, while the mystical symbols and ancient runes made Lily wonder if this was more than just a piece of paper. The rich midnight blue background seemed almost alive, pulsating with a faint luminescence that captivated her instantly.

Lily felt a pull toward the map, her fingers tingling with excitement as she reached out. Just as her fingertips brushed the edge, another hand met hers. Startled, she turned to see a man standing beside her, looking equally entranced by the artifact. His eyes widened when she turned to look at him. A flicker of recognition showed on his face.

The touch of his hand beside hers was warm and somehow familiar. But as she looked into the stranger’s deep blue eyes, she was sure they had never met. He was handsome with his sandy brown hair and boyish smile. But she wasn’t about to hand over her find to him just because he was cute.

“Oh, excuse me,” he said, his voice warm and friendly. “I didn’t see you there.”

He offered a charming smile.

“I’m Ethan. Ethan Lawson.”

He held her gaze as Lily gave the map a gentle tug but he refused to release his grasp.

Lily’s eyes narrowed slightly, her resolve hardening.

“I’m Lily Parker, and if you’ll excuse me, I’m in a rush. I need to pay for this and then get home to take my gran to her appointment.”

Ethan’s smile faded, his eyes hardening with determination.

“You must not be from around here, you see I’m Ethan Lawson the writer. I’m a bit of a local celebrity.” He paused for effect but when Lily gave no reaction, he cleared his throat and continued. “I believe I saw the map first and it would be perfect for the book I’m working on about local legends and hidden treasures of the town.” He nodded to the tables set up around them piled with assorted items. “There’s lots of great stuff here. I’m sure you can find something else that will catch your eye.”

Lily glared, any appeal she first saw in him quickly fading away. Of course, he was full of himself, she thought. Good looks and humility seldom come in the same package. “Well Ethan Lawson the writer, I have an actual business curating antique items to sell to buyers and this is exactly the kind of thing I’ve been looking for. I’m sure you can find something else to write about in your little book because I totally saw the map first.”

He smirked.

“‘Totally’? I’m sorry I didn’t realize you traveled here from the 90s. Come on Lily, I bet I can find a rad boombox or a totally tubular VHS collection somewhere here for you if you just give me the map. Then, tell you what, I’ll take you to breakfast and you can talk to me all about the knicknacks you sell for your business. Maybe I’ll even buy a few. My mom always loves it when I get her a new Hummel for her collection.”

Lily shook her head at him in disbelief. “Did you seriously just insult me and ask me out at the same time? Has that ever worked for you before?”

He shrugged with a grin. “You’d be surprised.” He titled his head and studied her more closely. “Lily, you know I saw it first, just hand it over because you’re not going to win.”

“From where I sit, it appears that you both saw it first,” a raspy voice commented from behind them.

Still holding a firm grasp on the star map, they turned to see an elderly woman observing them closely.

“Agatha Hawthorn,” the woman introduced herself with a nod to Lily. Her silver hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and her eyes sparkled with a knowing glint. “And it seems we have a bit of a predicament here.” She chuckled softly, a sound rich with a hint of mischief. “Tell me, young lady, what do you know about this map?”

Lily shook her head, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“Nothing really. I can just tell it’s something special.”

Agatha smiled warmly. “You have a good eye. Now, Ethan, why don’t you enlighten us about what the two of you are holding onto so tightly?”

Ethan cleared his throat and looked at Lily, who raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“Legend says that this map is enchanted. It’s said to lead its rightful owner to their one true love.”

Lily blinked in surprise.

“Wait, you really know about this?”

Ethan nodded, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

“Yes, it’s actually quite fascinating. The map was created centuries ago by a cartographer who believed the stars could guide our destiny. He charged the map with a spell that would reveal a path to the true love of whoever possessed it. but only if they were worthy of figuring out its hidden messages.

Lily rolled her eyes.

“Oh, please. You already see your one true love every time you look in the mirror.”

Ethan grinned, unfazed.

“Cute, But in all seriousness, Ms. Hawthorn, I want the map for my book on local legends and hidden treasures of this town. It’s a perfect piece to feature.”

Lily interrupted.

“I have an antique business. I’m curating items to sell, and this map is exactly the kind of unique find my buyers love. Plus, I need the money to help with my grandmother’s medical bills.”

Agatha listened to their claims, her expression thoughtful.

“This star map has always been said to reveal its secrets only to those who are destined for its true purpose. Perhaps your fates are intertwined.” She smiled mysteriously, the corners of her lips curling up with a hint of amusement. “I don’t give my treasures to just anyone. It’s my family business to make sure every item goes to the right person. So, here’s what we’ll do: You will share the map and work together to unlock its mysteries. You’ll have ten days, alternating who gets to take the map home to study it. You must meet regularly to collaborate and decipher its clues. At the end of the ten days, you will return to Hawthorn Manor, and I will decide who will be the final owner of the map.”

Lily and Ethan exchanged skeptical glances but ultimately nodded in agreement, realizing they had no other choice if they wanted a chance at the map. Their adventure, it seemed, was just beginning.

***

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