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9
Emma
The midsummer sun filtered through the windows of Phil’s Diner, brightening the lively scene: a waitress, her apron stained with the day’s work, laughed with a regular at the counter, while a family in a booth celebrated a birthday. From the corner jukebox, Taylor Swift’s latest song played, drawing a few patrons into a silent sing-along. Everything seemed right in the world.
All except one thing.
For Emma, each second felt like an eternity as she stared at the flyer with Riley’s face taped to the diner’s door. She glanced at the wall clock, each tick seeming to amplify the void left by his absence. Taking a deep breath, she let the aroma of roasted coffee beans offer a fleeting distraction from her thoughts. As the comforting scent faded, Emma slid into an empty booth and pulled out her phone, hopeful for an update on Riley’s whereabouts. But there were no texts or notifications.
Nothing.
Over the past week, the community had rallied around her: neighbors formed search parties, the local radio station and TV channel broadcasted Riley’s story, and several businesses contributed whatever resources they could. Everywhere she went, she was met with sympathetic eyes and gentle reassurances. Though they hadn’t found him, every pat on her back and word of encouragement gave her hope that Riley was still out there, somewhere, waiting to be found.
“How are you holding up, honey?”
Emma looked up at Margie, who had walked over with her notepad. “I’ve had better days. I just wish I could find him.”
Margie reached out and squeezed her hand. “I know, Emma. Try not to worry. I’m sure he’ll turn up when you least expect it.”
Her shoulders slumped as she nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
“In the meantime, you’ve got to eat. What can I get you?”
Emma skimmed the menu, even though she knew the vegan options by heart. “I’ll take the black bean burger.”
“Good choice. Phil made a fresh batch this morning. What do you want for your side?”
She hesitated, her eyes darting between the virtuous side salad and something more exciting that could induce a carb coma. “Some of that vegan mac and cheese would be great.”
“Coming right up.”
Margie headed toward the kitchen, leaving Emma to her thoughts. As she grabbed her phone to check her Facebook posts, Ada Harrison approached her table.
“Hello dear, how are you doing?”
Emma forced a smile. “I’m alright. How are you?”
When the bell above the door chimed, Emma’s attention shifted to a stranger approaching the counter with a bag of Barking Orders treats in his hand.
“Can I get two turkey wraps to go?” he asked Margie.
“Sure thing, Luke.” She smiled at him as she rang up his order.
Ada followed Emma’s gaze and waved. “Luke! Over here. I want you to meet someone.”
As he drew closer, Emma’s eyes landed on the approaching figure. Her gaze drifted upward, tracing the lines of a sculpted jaw and full lips. She found herself momentarily caught in a pair of blue eyes that held the depth of the ocean meeting the horizon on a clear day. Their intensity, accentuated by his dark-brown hair, was almost mesmerizing. She blinked, pulled back to the moment when Ada’s voice cut through her trance.
“Emma, this is the new neighbor I’ve been going on and on about.” Ada paused, giving her a playful wink. “Luke Grayson, meet Emma Wright. She was the former owner of your new home.”
Luke smiled, revealing a dazzling set of perfect white teeth. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Emma held out her hand and shook his, smiling back.
“He came all the way down from Chicago,” Margie said, refilling coffee mugs without missing a beat. Her eyes sparkled as she turned to Luke. “I hope Hadley Cove offers enough to keep your handsome self here.”
Luke chuckled. “Well, I think the big city was what I was trying to get away from. Hadley Cove has been very welcoming so far.”
As the conversation meandered, the murmurs and glances from the local women didn’t go unnoticed, adding a layer of intrigue to their meeting. Occasionally, Emma’s eyes wandered, observing the subtle dance of his eyebrows, lifting in bemusement as he gracefully navigated Ada’s relentless questioning.
