The surf crashed against the shoreline, making the two of them periodically hurry up the beach. Rio had no interest in getting wet. She barked at the breaking waves. She barked at the seagulls and chased them as far as her leash would allow. She tried to get friendly with other walkers and dogs heading the opposite direction. Most of the time, they stopped to give her some attention. Who could blame them? She was just so darn cute.
Now that Sadie knew what her story would be about, she was eager to get the plot down on paper. But first she needed to organize her thoughts, and she did that best while she was busy doing something else.
When she reached the pier, she stopped and let Sadie sniff around the pilings and scare off the seagulls before she turned and headed back toward the house.
“Come on, Rio, let’s head home! That’s my good girl. Come with Mommy. Oh, you don’t like those waves, do you? They just keep chasing you.”
Sam would surely be home from work by now. She was eager to find out if Mary had called him. Even though Sadie had left her own number on the voice mail, she had called from his phone. It was possible Mary might call him instead.
The thought quickened her pace. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could get their answer tonight? The man wouldn’t get the ring back until they returned from the cruise, but at least the mystery would be solved and the ring would be returned to its rightful owner.
Perhaps the guy would propose on the cruise without the ring—would tell his future bride the tragic story of the lost ring and book. And wouldn’t they both be so delighted when they discovered it had been found?
In her story she wouldn’t have to follow the real-life version of things—that was the glory of fiction. She’d do whatever worked best as she wrote it. But, oh, it was practically going to write itself now. What a load off her mind. She hadn’t realized the full weight of that pressure until it lifted.
The hero and heroine would make a bargain—the wedding date for his help—just as she and Sam had done. When they attended the wedding, sparks would fly. Could anything be more perfect? She’d felt sparks before, of course—that she could write about with confidence. The more touchy-feely emotions of love were going to require some imagination. But she’d read enoughromance novels now that she was pretty sure she could fake her way through it.
When she reached the shoreline in front of the cottage, she spotted a man with a black Lab. The thirtysomething guy wore a fitted tee with a pair of board shorts. His golden-blond hair was just long enough to flutter in the wind.
Upon seeing the other dog, Rio barked and strained against her leash like mad.
Sadie chuckled. “Settle down. You want to be friends, don’t you? Where are your manners?”
The man’s face broke out into a perfect smile as his Lab tugged him closer to Rio. The dogs checked each other out.
“Beautiful Lab you’ve got there,” Sadie said. “His coat’s so shiny.”
“He likes your little friend. Roscoe, take it easy, boy. She’s littler than you.”
“He’s being very much a gentleman. Good boy, Roscoe.” Sadie petted the dog.
“I haven’t seen you around here,” he said.
“I’ve only been here a week and a half. I’m here for the summer. Mostly I jog the beach in the mornings, but Rio wanted a walk tonight. It’s so beautiful out. Do you live here?”
“About a mile that way.” He gestured south.
“Lucky you. The island is beautiful.”
“First time here?”
“Yes. What do you have to do to get a house on the beach?”
“I have no idea. I’m notthatlucky. My girlfriend and I live inland a couple blocks. But we have access to the beach and enjoy mild winters, so we’re not complaining. Where are you from?”
“Queens currently. I do not get to enjoy mild winters. But thesnow is lovely to look at in the city. From the windows. In front of a fireplace. With a blanket, hot chocolate, and a book.”
His chuckle rode the wind like a kite. “I’m Jared.”
***
It had been a long day. Sam grabbed takeout from PJ’s Clam Shack and ate it sitting on his sofa. He missed having meals with someone. Sharing about his day and listening to her talk about hers.
Today hadn’t been so good. The work had been fine, but the memory of that day—of finding his girlfriend and cousin making out on the couch—had plagued him. He needed to completely let it go. Plenty of time had passed. No doubt they’d handled the situation badly, but people couldn’t help who they loved, could they? Especially when life kept throwing them together.
He didn’t love Amanda anymore. His heart didn’t hurt when he saw them together. Instead there was just sort of a vacant feeling inside when he thought of her. And he wasn’t sure he ever wanted to fill that empty spot with someone else. At least not for a long time.
When he finished his meal he stepped out onto the deck. Sadie was home and would no doubt come outside when she realized he was here. He was curious to know if she’d heard from Mary—though Sadie probably would’ve texted him twenty times by now if she had. Or called him and left a rambling four-minute voice mail.
