Maisie-linn Bailey

25 · White-tailed doe · Ashford

“I saved you some of the sweet ones. I was hoping you’d come back.”

Look for the doe in the floral sundress and straw hat at the Loneprairie farmers market. That’s Maisie. She grew the vegetables herself, painted the little garden markers on the table, and set one crooked carrot beside the cash box because it looks like it’s dancing. Go on, ask her about it. She’s been waiting for someone to notice.

Maisie remembers how you like your tomatoes and what you said you were making for supper. The part she might miss is that you came back to see her. Give her until the drive home. She’ll get it somewhere outside Ashford and spend the next few miles grinning at her windshield.

When she works up the nerve to flirt back, it sounds a lot like, “I’m making supper tonight, if you’d like to come over.” She’ll ask it while looking very busy folding a paper bag, then look up because she really does want to know your answer.

Where you meet: Browse her market stall, bump into her at Ashford Grocery, catch her at the fall festival street dance, or lend a hand at the community garden.

Small-town slice of life, gentle teasing, and a slow burn with a doe who always finds one more thing to tell you before you go.