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Chapter 1
Mia
The thud of her shoes hitting the pavement became hypnotic as Mia worked hard to control her breathing. Birds chirped, and the mist began to clear. The rising sun coated her surroundings in an orange glow. This was the best time of day—when everything was mostly quiet, and she could push her body and expel her fears through her sweat.
Her shoulders ached as she pumped her arms a little harder, a little faster. Perhaps she shouldn’t have unpacked all those boxes yesterday. But there was no one else to help her do it. After the movers kindly placed her furniture where she needed it, she’d gotten straight to work unpacking. Busyness helped to keep her from thinking too much. Because thinking leads to remembering.
Her legs burned as she rounded the corner onto the street where she now lived. Heavy footfalls echoed behind her.
Dios mío.She was alert, as always—every muscle aware that someone was approaching fast from behind. She turned her face quickly, catching a glimpse of a man getting closer. Her shoulders dropped, tension fading. She recognized him. How could she not? He was at least six feet, and muscled to perfection. She’d watched as he exited his truck all sexy and focused the night before. He’d pulled off his shirt, his dark skin glinting from the sun and sweat.
Her handsome new neighbor spoke. “Passing on your right.”
“Good morning.” She smiled, but he only increased his speed and sprinted ahead of her. Maybe he hadn’t heard her? He had earbuds in. Oh well, at least now she had a better view of that tight backside.
Mia pushed herself the remaining several hundred yards to her new home, then trudged up the stairs and into the house, forcing her lead limbs. She grabbed a glass and pushed it into the door of the fridge dispenser. The icy liquid eased down her throat, cooling her body from the inside out. Her muscles were tired, but endorphins were taking over as she gulped fresh oxygen. Time to stretch.
She picked a yoga mat from one of the packing boxes, and opened the French doors leading to the backyard. Whoever had lived here before had kept the landscaping simple. A few flower bushes and trees created a natural line around the bungalow property. A large rectangular pool was the focal point. Maybe she’d go for a swim after her yoga.
Mia started with some simple moves, bending to her knees as she reached her hands out, and stretching her back in extended puppy pose. Breathing deeply, she inhaled light and exhaled her worries. She was intentional, planning her day, giving herself goals and a to-do list.
As she glided through her poses, the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She was being watched. After one more sun salutation, she glanced around, catching a glimpse of him on the second-floor balcony of his house.
His lips flattened and his brow furrowed. He seemed downright angry and snarling. A flurry of confused butterflies swirled in her belly. She waved, breaking their awkward staring contest, hoping her smile would set him at ease.
He turned quickly, entering his house, seemingly ignoring her. Well, okay then. Who pissed in his cornflakes?
“Sometimes it’s the people who deserve kindness the least who need it the most.” Her mother’s words echoed in her mind. Maybe she should properly introduce herself. Her mamá’s recipe for polvorones was irresistible, and something told her she could use the sweet gift as the perfect icebreaker for her grumpy new neighbor.
***
After a shower and a quick change into some cutoffs and a faded T-shirt, she pulled her dark brown hair into a ponytail. First on her agenda was coffee, and then groceries.
As she drove along the road of the quiet neighborhood, a feeling of calm settled over her. Kids were laughing and throwing Frisbees or playing catch with their dogs. The houses were all well-kept and lawns neatly manicured. How long had she wished she could live in a place like this? Too bad her mother wasn’t there to see she’d actually made it happen.
Mia switched on the radio. A few of the latest hits blasted out as she headed towards town. The woods on her right opened up, and the beautiful coastline was breathtaking. Green-blue waves crashed onto the rocky shore. Mia rolled down the window, inhaling the salty air. The urge to pull over and dip her toes in the cool water was overwhelming. She slowed as she rounded the corner. A blue car was parked at the edge of the roadwith smoke billowing out of the propped-open hood. A woman with black hair held a baby and was staring off towards the waves.
Mia pulled behind the car and parked before getting out. “Are you alright?”
The woman turned, wiping away fresh tears as her cheeks blushed. “Oh, sorry. Uh . . .” The baby she held started to cry. Her mother shifted to bounce and rock the child.
“Are you alright?” Mia repeated, stepping closer.
“No. I’m sorry. I’m not usually a crier. It’s just been a really tough . . . year,” she said as if she was trying to remember a time when life wasn’t hard. Mia could relate. The baby drifted off to sleep, seemingly calmed by her mother’s voice.
“We all have bad days. Can I help? I can give you a ride. I was just on my way into town anyways,” Mia offered.
A spark of hope lit the woman’s almond-shaped eyes. “Would you mind? I don’t want to sit around waiting for my brother to find a tow. You can drop me off at my sister-in-law’s café. It’s right on Main Street.”
“Absolutely. I needed some coffee anyways. I’m Mia.” She reached out her hand.
“Jasmine, and this is Zoey.” The woman shook her hand.
“She’s beautiful. How old?” Mia asked as they walked towards their vehicles.
“Almost seven months.”
Mia helped secure the car seat, following Jasmine’s detailed directions. After Jasmine laid the sleeping baby down and buckled her in, they headed towards town.
