The Adel courthouse stood out vibrantly against the night sky, the town square bustling with more people than Robin had expected. He had no idea Adel had so many residents, let alone that so many would attend a barn dance. The event was held in the courthouse ballroom, where lively music mingled with laughter and chatter. As they entered, all eyes briefly turned to the three of them before slowly resuming their conversations, though some lingered a bit longer on Robin than he was comfortable with. Feeling self-conscious, he hesitated before removing his coat.

"Hey, Jo!" a boy Robin recognized from the shop shouted over the din as he rushed over to them. Other boys followed, with a few girls trailing behind them. Robin wondered if these were the girlfriends they had boasted about in the shop.

"Gee, Jo, that dress is swell," one of the girls said, pushing her way to the front. "I've always wanted a vest like that." She reached out to touch Jo's dress, but Jo quickly swatted her hand away.

"It can be yours for the right price," Jo said cheekily, taking off her coat and handing it to Robin. "I could see about a friend's discount, but that's only for my best friends. So, don't go telling everyone." She pulled a card from her pocket and gave Holly a sly wink before handing it to the girl.

Holly had given Robin and Jo a stack of business cards to hand out if anyone asked about their outfits. Each card offered a small discount if they came to the shop in the next week with the card in hand. Robin was impressed that Jo had already managed to distribute one within seconds of arriving.

The other girls stepped forward eagerly, hoping for cards, prompting Jo to step back. "Whoa, I only have a few of these, so I should probably hang on to them a bit longer. I want to make sure they get into the right hands. Let's go get some food," she said, leading the entourage away.

"If she doesn't become a great sorceress, she'll definitely be a great businesswoman," Holly observed, watching them go. "Some years, I think she single-handedly keeps me in business."

Robin chuckled and adjusted the coats in his arms. "Can I take yours as well?"

"Oh, right, just a second," Holly said, unclasping the jeweled cape draped over her coat. She handed him her coat and re-clasped the bejeweled cape over her dress.

She also quickly removed the bonnet she was wearing to give to him, revealing a headband with a similar web pattern to her cape, adorned with beaded strands that wove into her braided updo.

She looked like a thing of magic and fantasy, which he guessed she was, in more ways than he could possibly imagine.

He watched her as she adjusted the cape and tidied the strands of hair that had come loose.

She noticed him watching her, and her eyes widened. "What's the matter? Did my hair come undone?" she asked in horror, frantically patting her hair to find the culprit.

"No, it's just that..." Robin reached out to stop her from searching. Borrowing her words from earlier, he said, "You are the most lovely woman in all of Adel. I thought it before, but now I'm sure."

Holly froze, processing his words. "Ah," she said awkwardly, shifting her focus back to her cape. "Thank you, Robin."

Robin was a bit taken aback by what he had said, too. He had only meant to tease her, throwing her earlier words back at her. But had he been teasing? It wasn't as if he didn't mean it.

He laughed and shook his head. "Sorry... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'll go put the coats away."

Robin walked over to the coat room, glancing back at Holly. She was still fiddling with her cape, but now she had a shy grin as she worked. Robin couldn't help but smile.

After putting away their coats, Robin returned to the ballroom to find Holly chatting with a woman he didn't recognize. Not wanting to stand awkwardly by Holly's side while she discussed business, Robin decided to busy himself at the refreshment table. After a quick glance around the ballroom, Robin went to the opposite side of the dance hall, where the townspeople had set up various food and drinks.

Robin felt a twinge of guilt for not bringing anything. It would have been the perfect opportunity to showcase his newfound cooking skills. He almost reassured himself that there would be next year,

but a pang of sadness hit him.

He wouldn't be here next year.

His eyes landed on some pear tarts. Smiling, he grabbed a few and wrapped them in a napkin to bring to Holly.

"Well, well, if it isn't Doctor Prakash!" a voice shouted behind him, barely audible over the music. Robin turned to find Doctor Don approaching with a wide grin. On his arm was a short, stubby old woman with dark skin, rosy cheeks, and a smile as big as Doctor Don's.

"Let me introduce my wife, Mrs. Doctor," the old doctor joked, earning a laugh from his wife.

"He loves that one," she said, swatting his arm. "You can just call me Mrs. Dianna. It's a pleasure to meet you, Doctor Prakash. My husband was so happy after meeting you last week."

""The pleasure was all mine," Robin replied, giving Mrs. Dianna a slight bow.

"Not at all, not at all!" Doctor Don said merrily, patting Robin on the arm. " The pleasure was all mine. Look here, Doctor—my wife is wearing a necklace I bought off Miss Ivy at last year's Autumn Barn Dance. Stunning, am I right? And the necklace is pretty great, too."

"Oh, stop it, you," Mrs. Dianna giggled, blushing like a schoolgirl as she playfully hit his arm.

The necklace was indeed beautiful, a choker of sapphires with rubies dangling from it. Robin imagined Holly wearing it and smiled.

"It's gorgeous. I must admit, I'm constantly amazed by her," Robin said with a chuckle.

"Yes," Doctor Don said with a passionate nod. "I will say she outdid herself this year. Every year, we look forward to seeing what pieces Holly will create for the Autumn Barn Dance, and this year, she went above and beyond. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone buys something from her tonight!"

"Speaking of," Mrs. Dianna interrupted, "I'll need one of her cards to get a discount on that vest you're wearing. I know someone who would look very handsome in it..." She lightly tapped her husband's arm as she reached out her hand to Robin.

"Hmm.." Robin hummed. "I'm hesitant to give it to you if Doctor Don's going to be wearing it—I'm afraid he'll pull it off even better than I have," Robin muttered, pulling out the card from his pocket but tapping it against his temple, as he gave Mrs. Dianna a playful look.

This made Doctor Don and Mrs. Dianna laugh and start arguing about whether Robin's statement could be true. Robin smiled at their banter before finally handing over the card.

"Oh, goodness, can't we keep you, Robin?" Dianna asked, giving him a cheery smile. "Do you really have to return to Kingsbury after your brother arrives?"

"Well—" Robin began.

"Yeah, boy," Doctor Don interrupted, nudging Robin's arm. "Are you gonna give her a ring, or must she make one for herself?"

"Don!" Dianna laughed, slapping him playfully on the arm.

"What! The whole town is wondering!" Don said defensively.

"Oh, I don't know about anything like that..." Robin laughed nervously.

"Well, son, I know you don't know many people in this town, but if you need any help, I'd be more than happy to assist. Ring, wedding venue, you name it. I can keep a secret so well, not even the missus will know about it!"

"Don Davis, you better tell me!" Mrs. Dianna said, hitting his arm. "You know I'd be happy to help as well."

"Yeah, and her help will be spreading the news to the whole town. Holly will find out before he can make it home!"

Mrs. Dianna laughed but noticed Robin's awkwardness and reached out to pat Robin on the arm. "Listen, we're only joking. Don't feel any pressure, okay? People are just happy to see Holly with someone who makes her so happy, that's all."

"Yeah, it's true," Don agreed. "Even when she was pining after Dexter, there was always a bit of heartbreak in her eyes, but nobody could talk any sense into her." He shook his head. "Hope is one hell of a drug."

"But," Don continued, "with you, it's different. She's not overdosing on hope like she once was, and I think it's because she likes the reality with you better than the hope she ever had with him."

Robin felt something tighten in his chest as if he both wanted and didn't want Don's words to be true.

"Of course, selfishly," Don added, "I would love another doctor around. I'm not as young as I used to be, and it would be nice to leave Adel in good hands if I were ever to step down. I know it's not the big city, but..." Doctor Don shook his head.

"You know, son, I've traveled the world too and miss traveling, but I've never missed a place like I've missed home. And these people—they are home for me."

A moment of silence passed between them.

"Yes, I agree. I miss my home. In London," Robin said, not knowing how else to respond. He knew what the old man was hinting at, and it mirrored the internal conflict he'd been wrestling with all night.

"Ah," Don said sadly. "I guess that's right. Silly me." He let out a small chuckle, lightly patting Robin's arm. "Well, you're always welcome back here, too, should you decide to make it your home. I'm sure Miss Ivy would agree." Doctor Don gave his wife a gentle pat and led her to another older couple waving at them from across the room. "Excuse us, Enjoy your night, Robin."

Robin smiled and nodded as they left. He turned back to the refreshments table, feeling conflicted.

Earlier, he hadn't wanted to leave, but the homesickness for London was ever-present. Or could he even call it that? Robin had friends in London, but the kind whose friendships were closely tied to career and status. He had a fancy house in a well-off neighborhood, though he barely spent time there since he was always at work. But the city was history, art, power, and wealth. Anyone who lived there was someone simply by virtue of residing there. Everyone who didn't live there wanted to, so they could be someone. Yet, living in the city, he never felt like someone, just felt suffocated—never alone, yet always by himself.

But he was living his dream—his friends' dreams even! To give it up would be to admit defeat, right? To say he couldn't do it, that he couldn't make it as a wealthy doctor on Oxford Street. Which sounded foolish. Why would he want to let himself fail at that?

But was it a failure, or was it a change in direction?

Ever since he was a boy, he had dreamed of being a wealthy doctor, living in a lovely house, and thriving in the big city. He had achieved that. He had also dreamed of improving the lives of the people of London and traveling the world. Robin realized he had accomplished those goals, too.

Perhaps it was time to find a new dream—one filled with pear tarts, dancing, drinks at a small bar, days spent at a jewelry stand, reading books with a small dog on his lap, traveling but returning to a life that didn't make him immediately wish to escape again. And maybe, a dream of sharing all that with a certain someone, a fearsome sorceress with a fragile heart.

Once seemingly monotonous and void, the future now had little moments of joy sprinkled throughout. His heart felt both heavy and light simultaneously as if mourning a dream he had once dedicated his life to but was now freed to live in a way it hadn't before.

He watched the people around him, dancing passionately to a lively tune filled with laughter and clapping. They were living in the moment, surrounded by those they cared about. He smiled.

If he chose to live like this, maybe life wouldn't end. Maybe it would be a whole new beginning.