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“Thank you, Grandma,” I murmured, grateful for her support. Her guidance always seemed to carry a sense of reassurance, like a warm embrace.
Just then, Evelyn’s eyes flashed with mischief. “Speaking of unexpected connections, any potential suitors catching your eye in Pebble Point?” she teased.
My face turned an even deeper shade of red as images of both Max and Tim flashed through my mind. “Well, there may be one or two,” I admitted sheepishly, a small smile sneaking onto my face despite my embarrassment.
“Ah, the intrigue of small-town life!” Evelyn laughed, her voice a melodious sound that filled the cozy café with warmth. “Enjoy these moments, Mia. They’re the stories you’ll remember for a lifetime.”
Pebble’s Brew bell chimed as we stepped out into the golden embrace of the afternoon sun. Grandma Evelyn inhaled deeply, her face lighting up with delight. “Pebble Point truly is a treasure, Mia. What do you say to a leisurely walk around town?”
“Sounds perfect,” I agreed, linking my arm with hers as we strolled down the cobblestone streets.
We continued walking around Pebble Point, Evelyn marveling at each sight we encountered. She stopped before a sprawling oak tree, its branches stretching up and outward. “Look at that beautiful tree,” she exclaimed, pointing at the majestic scene before us. “I’d love to sketch it during my stay.”
The thought of Grandma Evelyn in her artist’s garb—with her pencils and paintbrush in hand—warmed my heart. I smiled fondly as I imagined her capturing the stunning old oak tree on a piece of paper.
“You should do it,” I encouraged, giving her arm an affectionate squeeze. After all, I knew nothing made my grandmother happier than creating art through any medium—pencils or paints or whatever else came to mind.
“Grandma, you’ll find no shortage of picturesque spots here,” I assured her, a smile dancing on my lips.
Evelyn marvelled at the serene beauty surrounding us as we meandered through the quaint town. The sunlight filtering through the trees cast dappled patterns on the ground, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air. We paused by the charming little park, where children laughed and played, their joy infectious.
“Well, my dear, it’s almost time for my bus,” Grandma Evelyn said softly, turning to me with a warm smile. “It’s been so lovely to see you again - and to see you so happy.” She gave me an affectionate squeeze before continuing. “Walk me back to the B&B to collect my bags?”
“Of course!” I replied without hesitation, linking arms with hers once more as we walked inside together. We collected her suitcase from reception before returning to the bus stop where I first met Pebble Point.
We embraced, and with contented sighs, we parted ways as she stepped onto the already waiting bus to continue upstate. After it pulled away, I headed back to the grocery store for ingredients for dinner, my heart swelling with gratitude for the hours spent with my grandmother. Her insights and wisdom imprinted on my soul giving me much to ponder.
Chapter 16
Thesunlightglintedoffthe chrome light bar on the roof of Max’s SUV as I stepped out of the grocery store, bags swinging in my hands. A gust of wind took me by surprise, making the brim of my hat dance around my face. There he was, leaning against his car, lost in thought. My heart skipped a beat.
“Hey, Max,” I called out with a grin as I approached him. “Fancy meeting you here.”
His gaze met mine, and it felt like time stood still for a moment. The intensity of our eye contact sent shivers down my spine. Finally, Max cleared his throat and offered a warm smile.
“Need a lift home?” he asked, nodding toward my bags.
“Sure, that’d be great,” I replied, feeling the blush creep up my cheeks. We reached for the same bag simultaneously, our fingers brushing against each other in the process. Neither of us pulled away immediately, savoring the unexpected touch. The air between us grew heavy with unspoken feelings.
“Let’s get these loaded up,” Max said with a smile, breaking the moment as he grabbed one bag from me. The tension dissipated slightly, replaced with a sense of anticipation.
The sudden roar of a motorcycle interrupted our intimate moment. Tim pulled up, removing his helmet with a flourish, his sandy-brown hair tousled but not unattractively. The surrounding atmosphere shifted once more as if someone had flipped a switch.
“Hey, Mia! Max!” he shouted over the rumble of the engine. “What’s going on?”
“Hey there, Tim,” I greeted him cheerfully, though my heart still raced from the charged exchange with Max. “Just picking up some groceries.”
“Great timing, actually,” Tim said, hopping off his bike and spotting a flyer clipped to a nearby bulletin board. He plucked it free and waved it in front of us. “The charity sandcastle contest is on Saturday. I’m thinking of participating, but I need a partner. What do you say, Mia? Want to join me?”
Curiosity piqued, I took the flyer from him and scanned the details. Getting involved in the community and being by the ocean for a whole day sounded fun.
“Sounds like a blast,” I agreed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear as I returned the flyer to Tim. “Lucy and Logan will love it!”
“Actually,” Max chimed in, his deep voice bringing an unexpected warmth to the conversation, “the sheriff’s department always takes part in these contests. I’ll be there all day to keep an eye on the proceedings. We’ll see you there.”
“Really? That’d be great!” I exclaimed, my heart fluttering at the thought of spending more time with Max and Tim, but I wasn’t entirely sure if Max was an overly protective employer, town sheriff, or... a little jealous.
“Alright then,” Max said, opening the door of his SUV for me. “Let’s get these groceries home before they start to melt.”
