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Roxanne opened her eyes, meeting hersister's earnest gaze. She gave Charlotte's hand a squeeze. "I'm happy tobe here too. You're right, it's definitely not what I'm used to." Shechuckled. "But it will be good for me to slow down, take in the beautyhere."
She paused, growing more serious."And I'm sorry about earlier, at the cafe. I was too loud, too blunt. Ishould have been more considerate."
Charlotte waved it off. "It'sokay, don't worry about it. I know that's just your personality - you speakyour mind. It's one of the things I love about you."
Roxanne smiled, seemingly touched byher sister's easy forgiveness.
"Still, I'll try to tone it down abit," she promised. "This place brings out a different side of me. Asofter side."
Charlotte nodded, eyes glistening. Shechecked her phone—they had been out now for a few hours. "Let's head tothe overlook. I want you to see the sunset - it's spectacular."
Charlotte and Roxanne walked slowlyalong the clifftop path, the setting sun casting a sparkle over the sea. Thoughthe day had started out rocky, Charlotte now felt nothing but deep affectionfor her sister.
She glanced over at Roxanne, who wasuncharacteristically quiet as she took in the sweeping coastal views. The fieryorange light illuminated her face, and Charlotte thought she had never lookedmore beautiful or at peace. Charlotte felt her heart swell with love for herbold, brash sister. She was a whirlwind, but Charlotte wouldn't change her forthe world. Their differences only made their bond stronger.
"Isn't it incredible?"Charlotte whispered, her voice barely audible over the gentle breeze thatdanced around them.
Roxanne turned toward her sister, atwinkle in her eyes. "More than incredible," she replied, amischievous grin playing on her lips. "Would you say it's almost asbeautiful as Simon's smile?
Charlotte's cheeks flushed withembarrassment. She rolled her eyes, playfully nudging Roxanne with her elbow."You just can't resist teasing me about him, can you?"
Roxanne laughed, her laughter echoingagainst the cliffs. "Well, he is coming for dinner tonight, right?"
Charlotte nodded, a mixture ofexcitement and nervousness flooding through her. She hoped that tonight wouldbe the perfect opportunity for him to truly become a part of their family.
"He'll be here in a couple ofhours," Charlotte replied, stealing a glance at Roxanne. "So weshould probably start heading back."
Roxanne raised an eyebrow suggestively."Oh, I see. I’m sure you can't wait to have him all to yourself after thethird wheel retires for the evening."
Charlotte blushed even deeper thistime. "That's not true! I just want everything to go smoothly."
Roxanne chuckled knowingly. "Itwill. And I’ll stop teasing you. Oh! And I promise not to tell him anyembarrassing stories about you as a child while we’re having dinner.”
“You’d better not,” Charlottewarned.
“And I know I can be a little blunt,”Roxanne admitted, making Charlotte laugh. “I’ll try to restrain that too—but ifhe’s not perfect, all bets are off.”
“Well, he is,” Charlotte said. “Soit’ll be easy.”
Arm in arm, they finally turned andwandered back to the inn, the lights of the village twinkling to life aroundthem.
Charlotte’s phone dinged with a text,and she unwound her arm from Charlotte’s to check the message—it was Simon.
I’m here early, he said. Meetme in the sitting room.
CHAPTER FIVE
Charlotte guided Roxanne through thearched doorway into the cozy sitting room of The Crown Inn. A fire crackledmerrily in the stone hearth, casting a warm glow over the worn leatherarmchairs and dark wood accents.
“Now, behave,” Charlotte urged asRoxanne took in the charming details - the faded Persian rug, the shelves ladenwith leather-bound books, Victorian silhouette art. This room exuded a cozy,lived-in feel so different from the sleek modern decor Roxanne was used to backin New York.
"I will,” Roxanne whispered back.As Roxanne wandered farther into the room, Charlotte watched her sisterclosely. She hoped Roxanne would understand why she had chosen this place, whyshe had uprooted her life and moved across an ocean. This cozy inn, with itscreaky floors and faded grandeur, was the balm for her bruised and weary heart.It was a place where she could sink her roots deep and begin again.
Simon stood up from the antiquearmchair by the fireplace, a warm smile spreading across his rugged,sun-weathered face. He extended his hand toward Roxanne in greeting.
"It's wonderful to finally meetyou, Roxanne. Your sister has told me so much about you," he said. Hisvoice was deep and soothing, with the gentle burr of a local accent.
It was charming enough that Charlotteforgave him for using the key she’d given him to slip in early. Roxanne shookSimon's hand, and Charlotte knew she would feel the strength and callusesearned from long days hauling nets and piloting his fishing boat. She hopedthat her sister was struck by his handsome, wholesome features and the kindnessthat shone in his sea-blue eyes.
