Page 65 of Tell It To The Waves

This feels so surreal.

I stand in the middle of my shop, alone, holding the keys. I now own a bakery. It’s mine.

My eyes fill with tears, spilling over onto my cheeks, and I wipe them away. I notice an eyelash on my finger. Smiling, I say, “I wish for happiness.” And I blow the eyelash.

Crouching, I sit down on the concrete floor in a bare room and cry happy tears.

The only people I want to tell aren’t here. And I’ll never be able to tell them.

Jumping up, I grab my tote and my copies of the contract, shoving them in my bag. I beeline it for my car after locking the store.

The only place I know where to go is to the ocean.

I drive in silence, the ride feeling like it took no time.

Parking, I jump out and run to the back deck and down the stairs. My running flings sand all over my feet and calves, but I keep going until I’m at the shoreline.

I look out to the horizon. “I did it. I bought a bakery. And I’m staying here. I’m staying in Driftwood Bay,” I scream to the ocean, telling the waves so they can drift them out to my momand dad. “And you knew I’d come home. Why didn’t you tell me about Bohdi and the bakery?” I question the waves.

My chest vibrates with my heartbeats, my hand shakes, excitement and fear coursing through the same veins.

“I think I can do this,” I tell them and myself, needing to hear those words. And right then, a huge wave breaks the surface, surging toward me and dissipating, the water washing over my toes.

Smiling, I say, “I love you both so much.”

Stepping foot back into the cottage, it all feels different from when I left. I don’t know how, but maybe because I took this tremendous leap, I know I’ll be here for a good while. I’m not leaving anytime soon…if at all.

I fall onto the sofa, curling onto my side. I get the scent of Bohdi, and my stomach flips.

Last night, I didn’t see that coming or ever happening. But it did, and today I’m trying to digest it. I can’t let my heart lead me; last time it did, I left for eight damn years. I don’t know or understand what went on with Bohdi and me last night. I enjoyed it; he felt like home. But I have so much more I have to focus on than getting into something. Plus, he just broke off his engagement with Molly, and if I’m being truthful to myself, I feel like there is still something he hasn’t told me.

The Williams being in town will be the bane of my existence. Driftwood Bay is little, but they never liked to rub elbows with the locals, so I’m hoping my run-ins with them are here and there. Because I don’t know what I would do if I ran into Mrs. Williams. Learning what Bohdi told me, them being the peoplemy father originally fought with when he was trying to buy August Cove, and here they are years later, trying to pull one over on his daughter, so they can finally have it. It isn’t going to happen. I’d let August Cove and the cottage fall into the ocean before I sell it to someone like them.

Grabbing my phone, I go to Pinterest and look at the pins I have under my bakery folder I’ve been pinning for years. Scrolling through them, clicking and swiping, I stop when a name pops into my head: Goose and Anchor Bakery. A huge smile spreads across my lips. Loving it. “Goose and Anchor. Welcome to Goose and Anchor Bakery.” I try it on my tongue and love the way it rolls off and also that no one will understand what it stands for, only those that truly know me. A homage to my dad, but to August Cove anchoring me here and maybe…Bohdi, too.

Renaming my folder Goose and Anchor Bakery, I decided to pick a color. I want something beach vibe but also welcoming. Somewhere people can come and enjoy a sweet treat and families feel welcomed.

I lay there pinning and searching for hours, my eyes burning. Closing them, I guess I fall asleep when I jerk awake by my phone ringing. Squinting, I look at the screen and see Bay’s face. “Shit.”

Sitting up, “Hey Bay.” I hit the speakerphone.

“Umm, what are you doing?” She sounds confused.

“I fell asleep.” I yawn.

I hear laughter in the background and Baylee mumbling to who I know is Kai. “August, it’s six forty, did you forget about dinner?”

“Holy shit. No, I’m coming. I’ll be there in fifteen.” I don’t let her reply, just hang up.

Running to the bedroom closet, I pull out an old faithful, a sundress. Slipping the floral cotton fabric on, I hurriedly spraymyself with perfume, take one look in the mirror, let my hair out of the topknot, shake the wavy blackness out, and let it fall where it wants. Not giving myself a second glance, I grab my tote and out the door in minutes.

“Why are you knocking?” Baylee stands in her doorway, looking like she wants to hit me.

Holding up my hand, I say, “Sorry.” I smile at her.

Bay pushes the door open wider, allowing me to enter. “Dinner is done. And you know Bohdi will be here.” She lifts her eyebrows up and down a few times.

Shaking my head, “I know. Let’s not make it awkward. It’s dinner.” Sweeping out my hand to let her lead the way, even though I know where I’m going.