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As she looked into his eyes, she saw the love and support that shone there, and it gave her strength. It was true; she wished her father could be present at their wedding, to witness the new life she was building in the town they’d all once called home. But deep down, she knew that the fear of rejection held her back from reaching out to him again. And she could only speculate as to what held him back from returning to Endless Harbor.
She weighed the possibility in her heart. "Isn't family supposed to be there for moments like this?"
Miles nodded, his expression tender. "Absolutely," he agreed. "Whatever you decide, I'm here for you."
As they sat there, hand in hand, the world outside seemed to slow down, as if granting them a moment's reprieve from the whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities that awaited them beyond the café's cozy confines.
"Maybe you're right," Ariel said at last, her voice filled with determination. "I don't know how he feels unless I make it clear I want him back in mine. And even if he doesn't want to be a part of my life, at least I'll know I tried."
"Exactly," Miles agreed, his eyes warm. "And no matter what happens, you'll always have me and our new family here in Endless Harbor.” He paused, then added, "Regret is a part of life, Ariel. But so is love, and hope, and forgiveness. Sometimes we have to take risks to find our way back to those things."
As they sat in silence, the world around them seemed to slow, allowing Ariel the space to reflect on her feelings and fears. After what felt like an eternity, she finally made a decision, her heart pounding with anticipation and trepidation. She turned to Miles, her eyes filled with determination and vulnerability.
"All right," she whispered. "I'll try to reach out to him."
Jill had been standing near the counter, waiting patiently as Miles and Ariel discussed their plans. Now, she walked toward them with two plates of steaming food, a smile on her face. She placed the plates in front of Miles and Ariel.
On each plate was a fluffy omelet filled with melted cheese, bacon bits, freshly diced tomatoes, and sautéed mushrooms. Crispy golden-brown hash browns were piled on the side, along with two slices of perfectly toasted sourdough bread slathered with butter and strawberry jam. A sprinkle of parsley garnished both dishes.
Jill smiled warmly at Miles and Ariel before turning away from the table without mentioning anything about Ariel’s earlier interrogation. Instead, she headed back behind the counter to attend to other customers in the diner. Ariel pursed her lips, watching her friend, who studiously avoided looking back at them.
Miles looked up from his notes and grinned at Ariel. "Well? What do you think? Shall we dig in?"
As they began eating, Ariel felt a sense of peace settles over her. Despite the turmoil of emotions swirling within her regarding her father, she knew that her love for Miles was a beacon, guiding her through the storm.
"Now, are you sure about the bouquet?" Miles teased, sipping his coffee. "You know how you can be bad with decisions. You did say yes to me."
"Very funny," Ariel retorted, feigning annoyance as she cut a forkful of eggs. In truth, his gentle ribbing was a welcome distraction from her lingering thoughts of her father. For now, they were focused on embracing the joy of the present and planning on their future. But as she watched the snow drift, soft and deep, outside, Ariel worried.
Would she reach out to her father to find resolution and acceptance, or would she have to let go of the past and embrace her future with Miles, Katie, and the rest of her Endless harbor family without the only parent she had left? The answer hovered just out of reach, leaving her heart in limbo as the cliffhanger of her own story awaited its resolution.
CHAPTER FIVE
The muffled sound of the ocean waves crashing on the bluffs filled the air, almost tricking Ariel into the feeling of summer as she flitted around the empty bar at The Seaside Cafe. Darcy, with his tattooed arms on full display in his metal band T-shirt, unruly hair not yet tied back for the kitchen, meticulously arranged glasses along the shelves behind the counter. At the other end of the room, Miles moved tables to create the larger seating arrangements needed for their pre-reserved evening patrons. Ariel, her chef's apron hugging her waist, watched them both, feeling a sense of satisfaction in the moment.
"Hey, Ariel," Miles called out, wiping the sweat from his brow with his forearm, "it's almost that time of year again."
Ariel looked up from polishing silverware and smiled. "Christmas? Yes, it is. Time flies when you're having fun."
“I meant we should check the gutters so that when this snow melts, we don’t end up with anything flooded. With a mischievous grin, Miles approached the bar and leaned against it casually, his hazel eyes reflecting the twinkling fairy lights strung across the room. "But speaking of Christmas, I might have found the perfect gift for a certain someone special yesterday…" He reached up and brushed her cheek with his knuckles.
"What a coincidence,” Ariel replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "I've been pondering what to get for someone special too." She paused for a moment, hoping he would catch on and just tell her what he wanted. "I'm just not sure where to start. It's so hard to find the perfect gift these days."
Miles chuckled and scratched his stubble. She loved it when he forgot to shave and looked a little scruffy. It gave him a rugged vibe that definitely worked. "Tell me about it. I never know what to get people. But if you're looking for ideas, well..." He trailed off, seemingly lost in thought.
Ariel leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on," she urged gently.
"Well, there was this one time," Miles began, his voice wistful, "my best friend and I had this tradition of getting each other the tiniest boat we could each find every Christmas. One year, we got into a big fight and never made up. I always wished we could've had the chance to exchange gifts just one last time, you know?"
Ariel's eyes softened. She’d never heard him talk about this friend before.
"That’s a sweet tradition. Maybe you should find him, restart that," Ariel suggested, hoping to see a spark of hope in his eyes.
"Maybe," Miles agreed, his gaze suddenly going distant. "It's been years, though. I don't even know where he is now. Besides, when I say a big fight, I mean life-changing. Some things you can’t come back from."
Ariel's heart ached for Miles, and she found herself yearning to help heal that old wound. She knew now that the most meaningful gift she could give him would be the chance to make amends with his long-lost friend. But how could she go about finding this person? His eyes had gone cool, and he hadn’t mentioned the man’s name.
"Sometimes," Ariel said softly, her gaze never leaving his face, "the best gifts are the ones that come from the heart. Maybe all you need to do is reach out and try to reconnect. You told me so about my dad."
