Chapter 1
Rose sat on the beach watching the sunset, taking in the serenity of the moment. She now had a pair of comfortable wooden chairs that George had found and placed in her favorite spot on the edge of the beach. He’d turned out to be a pretty handy neighbor.
Not that he was actually her neighbor. She was staying at Violet’s Blue Heron Cottages Resort yet again. She’d just returned to Moonbeam this afternoon following an emotional trip back home. But things were going to change. For real this time.
A soft breeze blew in from the gulf this evening, ruffling her hair. She pulled her wrap around her shoulders against the slight chill.
George came around the line of Areca palms, and his face split into a wide smile as he waved to her. “You’re back. Great to see you again. Mind if I join you?”
A swell of warmth filled her at his friendly greeting. “I’d love the company.”
He ambled over and sank into the chair beside her, stretching out his long legs. He’d tanned up quite a bit since he’d moved to Moonbeam, and his cheeks were ruddy from the wind and the sun. Life here seemed to agree with him.
He leaned back in his chair. “It’s nice to have you back in Moonbeam. Missed our little chats when you were back home.”
And yet, it hadn’t really felt like home. “I missed Moonbeam more than I expected.”
“How was your trip? Are you doing okay?” His eyes were filled with compassion.
“I’m doing okay. I think. It was difficult. I’m just glad to be back.”
They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching the sun dip lower over the water.
“Want to hear something that might cheer you up?” George finally said, an excited glint in his eyes. “I unpacked my very last box today. I'm fully moved in now!”
Rose laughed, her sadness dissipating. “That's wonderful! I bet that feels so good to be done.”
“It really does,” George said, leaning back in his chair. “Like I can finally breathe again… Like I’m home.”
Home. Something she no longer had. She no longer felt like the house she’d lived in with Emmett was where she belonged, and she couldn’t live in the peach cottage at Violet’s forever.
She knew what she had to do—what she was going to do—she just hadn’t told anyone her decision yet. The secret that had been simmering inside for weeks, months. It was just… if she said it out loud it would be true. It would be what her life would become. And it was such a huge change.
“What are you thinking about? I can almost hear the wheels in your brain spinning.” George’s eyebrow raised inquiringly.
“I was thinking—” She paused and looked at him. Who better to tell her decision to first? He’d understand. He’d been through it himself when he lost his wife, Becky. Yet her heart skittered at the thought of saying it aloud. Saying the actual words. She took a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you something. I’ve made a decision.”
He shifted in his chair to face her. “I’m all ears.”
Her heart pounded. It was time to say the words out loud. “I’m selling my house back home. I’ve decided…” She took a deep breath. “I’ve decided to move to Moonbeam.”
His eyes crinkled with his wide smile. “Ah, I bet it feels nice to have made the decision.”
“It does. I feel like I can’t move on with my life if I stay in that house
And I’ve made so many friends here. Violet, Aspen, and so many people.”
“Hope you consider me your friend.”
She smiled at him. “I do. A good friend. You’ve been the perfect person to talk to while I figure out this stage of my life. You understand. You’ve been through it.”
He nodded. “I have. And it’s not easy. But I’m really glad I sold Becky’s and my home and moved here. I feel like… like I can breathe again. That maybe the pain won’t stab quite so deeply.”
“I’d like that. I’d like to think of Emmett and our good memories without the pain swelling over me, drowning me. And I feel like something is pulling me to move here. Maybe a push from Emmett. I don’t know. That probably sounds silly.”
“No, it doesn’t. I sometimes can still feel Becky, hear her voice. I still talk to her.” George shrugged. “So it’s not so silly to feel like maybe he’s pushing you to move here. Maybe he wants you to have that new start, too.”
“Maybe. It’s just a very strange, strong sense that I’m supposed to move here.”
“So, I guess you’ll be looking for a house?”
“Yes, I want a little beach cottage.” She smiled. “And I’m betting Violet will help me paint it some cheerful color.”
George laughed, glancing over at the brightly colored cottages of the resort. “I bet she will. I’ll help too. With anything you need. Would you…” He paused, his brows drawing together. “Do you want help packing up your house?”
She shook her head. “No… I packed up most of it while I was back home. It’s just something I needed to do on my own. ...
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