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Ariel nodded, understanding his concern. Miles had poured all of his savings into the boat, and without a steady income, he was struggling to keep his head above water—she’d offered him the rental income on the boats he’d built for the guests at Leeside, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
“And what made you think of this, again?” Ariel said, a sour feeling swirling in her stomach. Miles seemed so happy when he was working on restoring the sailboat—why would he want to go back?
“The fellow who sold me the boat got wind of what I used to do. He offered to go in halves with me to start up a new speed boat company.”
“Miles,” she started, but then stopped. Ever since the argument with Katie, Ariel had become aware that it was best to check in with someone as to whether they were seeking advice or just venting. “Wait, do you want my opinion on this, or are you just thinking out loud?”
He grinned at her. “I always love your opinion,” he said. "But I turned it down.”
Ariel’s mouth dropped open, and she tapped him lightly on the shoulder. “You’re terrible! You were just trying to get my reaction.”
“And you were about to be supportive, as always, even though you thought it was a crazy idea.”
“Maybe,” Ariel answered. “But I would have given you both sides. Of course, I want you to take an opportunity if it’s what you want—but not just because it might get you back something you used to think was important. Sometimes, things that we used to hang our worth on aren’t worth it anymore, you know?”
“Hmmm,” he said. “Maybe.”
“Me and Opulent Ice,” she pointed out. “I thought that job was the be-all, end-all. I worked it so intensely and with so much commitment that Katie felt disconnected from me, even after we moved here.”
“But you guys are working on that,” Miles said. “And it’s going well.”
“After a lot of bumps, yes,” she cautioned. “I don’t want you to suffer any bumps, if I can help it. I turned what I was passionate about into something new, and now that serves both me and Katie the way it should. I cook, and I’m there for her. Is there a compromise that gets your friend what he needs, but keeps you from diving back into that old life?”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’re sweet. That’s why I love you. But I said no to him because I realized that I don't want to sell the sailboat. I want to keep it and work on it with you. I meant what I said; I want to sail around the world with you."
Ariel felt her heart swell with love for him. "Miles, that's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me," she said, taking his hand in hers.
Miles smiled at her, but then his expression turned thoughtful. "But maybe you're right. Maybe I should counteroffer and see if they'd be interested in me building them a single new boat instead. That way, I can use the money to fund my own boat-building. For our sailboat. And I’ll still be at the marina, so that won’t change."
Ariel's eyes lit up. "Yes! That's a brilliant idea, Miles. You're so talented, and you deserve to earn a living doing what you love."
Miles grinned at her, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You really think so?"
"Absolutely. And I'll be there to support you every step of the way." Ariel reached out and put her hand on his knee, squeezing.
“Oh, Emily wrote to me yesterday,” Ariel said, looking over to gauge his reaction as she said his ex-wife’s name.
To his credit, Miles merely nodded. “Oh? She’s where now?”
“She took a job in a state park cataloging rare wildflowers. She said it was time for something new. But she left her new number, in case you want it.”
He shrugged, shook his head, and then sighed. “No, thanks. But, I, uhm, you can tell her I’m happy for her, if you write her back,” he said.
“I will,” Ariel replied. It had been officiallytwoweeks since Miles had accepted the terms of Emily’s new divorce decree, and there was just the matter of the court’s time to get everything finalized. And the time for both of them to finally, fully heal.
Ariel leaned forward in her seat, her eyes fixed on the horizon as the car wound its way up the narrow, winding road. She had always loved sunrises, and this morning promised to be a special one. As they neared the scenic lookout point, Ariel's anticipation grew. She had heard that the view from this spot was one of the most breathtaking in Maine, and she couldn't wait to see it for herself.
The two-lane highway stretched out before her, winding its way through rolling hills and past towering pine trees. But it was the sky that truly captivated her. It seemed to stretch on forever, a vast expanse of color and light that filled her heart with joy and wonder. She felt as though she could sit there forever, lost in the beauty of the moment.
They reached the turnoff to the overlook point where Miles had mapped as their destination, and Ariel drew her coat tight around her as they rolled to a stop in the gravel half-circle.
Miles jumped out to come around and open Ariel’s door. As he rounded the front of the car, he said, “Hey, can you grab my jacket from the back seat? And stay here for a minute. I want to check out where the best view is before you get out. It has to be perfect.”
Ariel leaned back to grab his leather bomber, and as she did, something thumped out of the pocket. She recoiled, an automatic response she was trying to break, ever since the rat in the bathroom incident.
This time, though, the thump surprised her in a different way.
A ring box had fallen from the pocket of Miles’s coat. Ariel’s face flushed. The romantic drive, the scenic overlook—Miles talking about his own job future. Now, this. There was a note along with it.
