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“Thank you, Max,” I replied, feeling a mix of gratitude and anticipation as I slid into the passenger seat. “See you on Saturday, Tim!” I called out the open window. The weight of the choices ahead weighed heavily on me, but it was a burden I strangely welcomed.
That evening, I found myself enveloped in the warm embrace of the porch swing, the cool breeze playfully dancing with the hem of my linen dress as I swayed back and forth. With every creak of the chains, I pondered over the day’s events, feeling the weight of the growing triangle between Max, Tim, and me.
“Max is so dependable and protective,” I mused to myself, recalling those eyes that seemed to hold a thousand untold stories. “But there’s also something about Tim’s carefree spirit that draws me in.”
“Choices, choices...” I sighed, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the wooden armrests of the swing. Just then, the soft buzz of my phone cut through the air like an unexpected guest.
“Grandma Evelyn,” I smiled, seeing her name on the screen. Her text read, “The art exhibition was just perfect! Heading back to Wyoming now. I was thinking about the advice you wanted. Remember, dear, love isn’t about choosing the best option but finding the one who complements your heart and soul.”
Her words echoed in my mind, leaving me even more contemplative about my future in Pebble Point. And with each new day, I’d grow closer to discovering what my heart truly desired.
Chapter 17
“TeamSandtastic,assemble!”Icalled out, waving my shovel like a flag. Lucy and Logan, armed with their vividly colored buckets and shovels, eagerly skipped to join Tim and me at our designated spot on the beach. We were all excited to participate in the charity sandcastle contest, and the anticipation was palpable.
“Alright, guys,” Tim began, his charming grin spreading across his face like wildfire. “Let’s make the most amazing sandcastle Pebble Point has ever seen!”
“Deal!” Lucy and Logan chimed in unison, their excitement infectious.
As we set up our sandcastle-building area, I couldn’t help but notice Max watching us from a distance. His sheriff uniform looked uncomfortable for a day at the beach, but he still exuded that authoritative air. It was a shame he couldn’t join our team, but duty called, and Max was nothing if not responsible.
“Hey, Mia,” Tim said, jolting me back to the present. “You’re the artistic one. How about you start us off with a design?”
“Sure thing, Captain!” I replied with a playful salute before sketching a rough plan in the sand. In no time, we all became fully engrossed in our roles, digging, shaping, and laughing together as our sandy creation came to life.
“Looking good, Team Sandtastic!” Max called out as he passed by during one of his rounds. His warm smile was tinged with a hint of wistfulness, and I knew he wished he could be right here with us, building and laughing along.
“Thanks, Dad!” Lucy shouted back, her enthusiasm undiminished. “Wish you could join us!”
“Me too, kiddo,” Max replied, giving her a small wave before continuing his patrol.
I sighed, watching him walk away. It was a beautiful day, and we were all having a blast building our sandcastle masterpiece, but something was missing. And that something had a name - Max Thornton.
“Alright, let’s get back to work,” I said, trying to refocus my attention on the task at hand. I donned one of my favorite straw hats and adjusted my practical and charming sundress for a day like this. The sun was blazing, and my sundress fluttered gently in the breeze.
“Hey Mia, could you pass me that shell?” Tim asked, pointing towards a beautiful spiral shell nearby. As I stooped to pick it up, I caught him gawping, openmouthed at a group of bikini-clad girls bouncing around playfully across the beach. I could see they were about my age but much slimmer, with a lot more on display than I would ever be brave enough to show in public. I handed him the shell without a word, observing his wandering gaze. I couldn’t fault him for appreciating beauty, but I couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious as I compared myself to those shapely beach bunnies. All this time, I had thought my curves were attractive. Why did I suddenly feel so self-conscious? I was mad at myself for being shallow. We were here to have fun, not dwell on insecurities.
“Here you go, Tim,” I said with a smile, watching as he added the shell to one of the sandcastle’s towers. “It looks incredible!”
“Thanks, Mia!” he replied, returning my smile enthusiastically. “We’re going to win this contest!”
“Absolutely!” I agreed, my spirits lifting despite the occasional distractions. We continued building our fantastic creation, each of us contributing unique skills and ideas. The laughter made the day even more special, and I knew this sandcastle contest would be a memory for the children to cherish.
As the day progressed, Max would occasionally stroll by during his patrol, offering words of encouragement and support. Each time he stopped to chat, I could see the twinkle in his eyes and the playful smirk on his face. Even though he couldn’t fully participate in our sandy endeavor, he still found ways to bring joy to our team, and for that, I was grateful.
“Tim, you might want to be careful. Your eyes are wandering so much, they might get lost in the sand,” I teased him playfully, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.
He looked at me with mock horror, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “Oh no, we wouldn’t want that to happen now, would we?” he chuckled, shaking his head. I couldn’t help but laugh along with him, feeling a sense of camaraderie despite the mild insecurity I had experienced earlier.
Just then, Max sauntered over during one of his opportune visits, a friendly smile adorning his lips. “How’s Team Sandtastic holding up?” he asked, glancing at our ever-growing sandcastle.
“Better than ever!” Lucy chimed in, her hands covered in wet sand as she patted it into place.
“Absolutely,” Logan agreed, grinning from ear to ear.
“Max, why don’t you join us when you are free? We could use your expert advice on castle security,” I winked.
He let out a hearty laugh. “I’ll do my best, Mia. Just remember, I’m on duty for a while more, so I can’t stay long.”
