Gran just raised an eyebrow, not bothering to reply.
She let out a long sigh. “Okay, maybe I am.”Wasn’t Gran always right?“I’ll go into town for a bit if you’re sure you don’t need me.”
“Go. Shoo. Have a good time. The fresh air will do you good too.”
She headed outside, away from the B&B, and away from the possibility of running into Brent.
She strolled along the sun-dappled sidewalks of Magnolia Key’s main street, her sandals slapping against the pavement. The quaint storefronts beckoned with their colorful displays, but she found herself merely window shopping, her mind elsewhere.
She drifted into Seaside Treasures, running her fingers over delicate seashell necklaces and inhaling the aroma of coconut-scented candles. She lingered in front of a display of magazines, then picked up a romance novel with a sunset-kissed couple on the cover. With a sigh, she set it back down. The shopkeeper smiled warmly, but Felicity just nodded and slipped back out onto the street.
As the afternoon wore on, her stomach growled. She realized she’d skipped breakfast in her haste to avoid another awkward encounter with Brent. The familiar awning of Coastal Coffee came into view, and she quickened her pace.
As she pushed open the door, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries welcomed her, instantly soothing her frazzled nerves.
“Felicity!” Beverly’s warm voice called out. Before she could respond, she found herself wrapped in a hug. “It’s so good to see you, honey.”
“Hey, Beverly,” she said, returning the embrace. “It’s good to see you too.”
Beverly held her at arm’s length, studying her face. “You look like you could use a good meal and some company. The lunch rush is dying down. Mind if I join you?”
She felt a genuine smile spread across her face for the first time that day. “That would be wonderful.”
She settled into a cozy booth, grateful for the familiar comfort of the cafe. Beverly returned and set down two steaming bowls of soup and a plate of assorted tiny sandwiches.
“So, I could tell something was wrong as soon as you walked in. Care to talk about it?” Beverly reached for a small triangle sandwich.
“I don’t know what to do,” she admitted, reaching for her glass of iced tea. “I used to love teaching so much. It was my whole world. But now…” she trailed off, staring into the dark liquid.
Beverly reached across the table to give Felicity’s hand a gentle squeeze. “What changed, honey?”
She sighed. “Everything and nothing. The kids are still great, but there’s so much pressure now. Test scores, angry parents, budget cuts. And then there’s all the safety drills...” She shuddered slightly. “I used to feel like I was making a difference, you know? Now I just feel drained.”
“That sounds tough,” Beverly said softly. “Have you thought about what else you might want to do?”
She shook her head. “That’s just it. I’ve been a teacher for so long, I don’t know who I am without it. What else could I even do?”
Beverly took a sip of her tea, considering. “You know, sometimes we get so caught up in what we think we should be doing, we forget to listen to what our heart is telling us.”
“But how do I figure that out?” she asked, frustration creeping into her voice.
“Well, what makes you happy? What are you passionate about?” Beverly’s eyes twinkled. “Besides that handsome historian staying at your Gran’s place, of course.”
Her cheeks flushed. And anyway, there wasn’t anything between her and Brent anymore. He was totally avoiding her. “Ah, Brent and I… we’re having a bit of a disagreement these days.”
“Something you can work out?”
“I’m not certain.”
“That’s probably adding to the stress of your decision, isn’t it?” Beverly paused, looking thoughtful. “But seriously, think about what lights you up. What makes you lose track of time?”
She nibbled on a sandwich, pondering. “I do love history. And I’ve really enjoyed helping Brent with his research. It’s been exciting, uncovering all these stories about the island.” She shrugged. “Well, back when I was helping him.”
Beverly nodded encouragingly. “That’s a start. Maybe There’s a way to combine your love of teaching with your passion for history. You don’t have to figure it all out right away, you know. Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to explore and try new things.”
“I guess I’m just scared,” she admitted. “What if I make the wrong choice?”
“Oh, honey,” Beverly said, her voice warm with understanding. “There’s no such thing as a wrong choice, not really. Every decision we make teaches us something. The only real mistake is not listening to your heart and not giving yourself a chance to grow.”
