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“Here you go.” Zoe handed me a cup of steaming coffee with an adorable cat doodle in the foam. She grinned as she presented it with a flourish, saying, “For Pebble Point’s favorite cat savior!”
“Aw, thank you!” I smiled, cradling the warm cup in my hands and admiring the artistic foam creation.
As I stepped out of the cafe, a young girl with strawberry-blonde curls approached me, her eyes wide and nervous. “Um, hi Mia,” she stuttered, biting her lip. “I’m so sorry about the video.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” I reassured her, recognizing her as the teenager responsible for the now-viral cat rescue clip. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Thanks, but I just thought it would be a fun addition to the community page,” she explained, cheeks flushing pink. “I never expected it to blow up like this.”
“Life is full of surprises,” I said with a shrug, trying to ease her embarrassment. “Don’t worry about it.”
Just then, Max strolled up to us, his uniform crisp and clean. “Hey there,” he greeted me with a warm smile, his gaze flicking to the anxious teenager. “Is everything all right?”
“Yep, we were just talking about the video,” I replied, giving him a reassuring look.
“Ah, yes. That’s been quite the conversation starter,” Max chuckled before turning to the teenager. “You have a real knack for filmmaking. Keep it up.”
“Thanks, Sheriff Thornton,” she mumbled, visibly relieved by his gentle encouragement.
“Listen, Mia, would you like to go for a walk along the beach?” Max asked me, shifting his weight from one foot to another. “I think we need to clear our heads.”
“Sure, sounds lovely,” I agreed, grateful for the opportunity to escape the town’s prying eyes.
As we walked side by side on the sandy shoreline, the gentle rhythm of the waves lapped at our feet, their cool embrace contrasting with the sun-warmed sand beneath. The briny scent of the sea filled the air, mingling with distant cries of seagulls.
Max broke the silence. “This video has really stirred things up in town, hasn’t it?” I glanced at Max, noting the way his weathered hands worked together, fumbling with a smooth pebble.
“Max,” I began, a soft smile forming on my lips. “There was something... magical about that moment under the tree.”
He looked at me, surprise and curiosity dancing in his eyes. “You think so?”
“Absolutely,” I insisted, feeling warmth spread through my chest. “I mean, I’ve never felt that kind of... moment before. It’s like the universe captured something genuine between us.”
Max’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue, and he kicked a small shell into the gentle waves. “I felt it too, Mia. The connection was undeniable.”
We continued our stroll in companionable silence, letting the reality of our shared feelings sink in. I couldn’t help but feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach as I imagined what the future might hold for us.
“Max,” I said after some time had passed, “maybe we should be more discreet. We don’t want to further fuel the fire in Pebble Point.” I paused, considering my next words carefully. “But I also think we shouldn’t deny ourselves the possibility of exploring where this could lead.”
Max hesitated, his contemplative gaze fixed on the horizon. “I’ll admit, I feel something between us, Mia, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s too soon for a relationship. It’s been almost five years since my wife passed, but I still worry about how my kids would take it. I don’t want them to think I’m trying to forget their mother.”
I nodded somberly, understanding his reluctance. “It’s natural to have concerns,” I said softly. “We don’t need to rush anything. I understand that, of course, Lucy and Logan come first.”
Max nodded and then turned towards me with a slight smile on his face. He took my hands in his, squeezing them softly. “I’m grateful for your understanding,” he murmured, his eyes conveying a tenderness that melted my heart.
“You know,” he added after contemplating, “we could just be friends and take things slowly... See where this journey takes us?”
We headed back to town, our conversation now centered on lighter topics, like the kids and the weather. As we strolled along, I tried to keep my focus on the present rather than fretting over our uncertain future.
Chapter 13
“Lucy,Logan,howabouta picnic at the park tomorrow?” I suggested, my eyes twinkling with excitement. The twins exchanged eager glances, their enthusiasm contagious.
“Can we invite some friends too, Mia?” Lucy asked, her curls bouncing with each nod of her head.
“Of course!” I agreed just as the distinct rumble of a motorcycle interrupted our conversation. All eyes turned to spot the noise source, watching as a sparkling black Triumph motorcycle stopped right outside the Thornton residence. The rider easily dismounted, catching our full attention.
He removed his helmet, revealing sandy-brown hair, and looked around with friendly blue eyes and a mischievous smirk. The energy in the air shifted, and I found myself intrigued by this unexpected visitor.
