Chapter One
Stella Marshall sipped a cup of Earl Grey tea as she sat on her back porch and looked out across Blackberry Beach. The water looked enticing, even though a lifetime of experience had taught her that Maine waters were ice cold, even at the beginning of summer. She wasn’t ready to dip her pinky toe in these waters. Maybe by the Fourth of July she’d be raring to go. When she’d purchased this house, the location had been its main selling point. Living by the ocean felt as essential to her as breathing. She didn’t know what she would have done with herself if she hadn’t been able to walk the length of the beach as a form of self-care during some of the worst days of her life. Being by the sea was a soul-stirring experience and she wouldn’t trade it in for anything in this world.
Now that temperatures were heating up, Stella would open her ocean-facing bedroom windows at night and fall asleep to the sounds of waves lapping against the shore. It would feel heavenly.
She let out a sigh of contentment despite the early hour. June sunrises in Mistletoe, Maine, were spectacular. A band of pink mixed with orange stretched across the horizon as far as the eye could see. Stella felt awestruck by the raw beauty of her surroundings. Despite the fact that the last few years of her personal life had been rough, she really was blessed. Although she knew from listening to her favorite weather forecaster that temperatures were going into the eighties today, right now it was simply glorious and balmy. A slight breeze from the ocean swept across her face, and she closed her eyes and inhaled the sea air. Moments like this one were rare and precious. She’d learned to embrace every second of serenity, knowing it might not last long.
A quick glance at her watch told her she needed to get moving. Today was the last day of school in the Mistletoe district and it was bound to be a bit hectic. Stella could barely stop herself from happy dancing at the thought of the unbridled freedom stretched out before her. Although she would miss the daily interaction with her students, she was ready to fully embrace summer break. It meant she could stay up late watching her favorite classic movie channel and sleep in until midmorning. Perhaps she could do something a little daring and out of character, like kiss a total stranger or go bungee jumping. She could do a road trip with a few friends and check out the Cape Cod National Seashore. Maybe she could even get her younger sister Lucy to come with her if she could get the time off from work and pry herself away from her gorgeous fiancé.
Lucy was head librarian at the Free Library of Mistletoe. Last Christmas, she had reunited with her first love, Dante West, who had grown up with them in Mistletoe before becoming a famous movie star in Hollywood. Over the Christmas holidays, the pair had reconnected and managed to get back together despite their tangled past. Now, Lucy and Dante were planning a spectacular fall wedding. Although she was thrilled for her sister’s good fortune, Stella couldn’t help but wonder if the tight bond they’d always shared would weaken after Lucy got married. She hated herself for even thinking it, but what if they weren’t close once Lucy tied the knot? What if she lost her best friend?
Get a life, Stella Marshall.The sassy little voice buzzed in her head. Ever since her breakup with her fiancé, Rafe Santos, Stella had clung to her sister like a life preserver. Being dumped so close to her wedding day had really done a number on her, both mentally and physically. She wrapped her arms around her waist as the painful memories washed over her. Thankfully, the raw emotions weren’t as razor sharp as they had once been. All she felt now was a dull ache and a bad taste in her mouth about romance. With her sister’s big day on the horizon, she needed to get over Rafe and the wedding that wasn’t once and for all.
Meanwhile, as maid of honor for Lucy, Stella was determined to make their autumnal wedding the event of the season. Lucy deserved every bit of the happiness she’d found with Dante. Her sister was smart and funny and absolutely adorable. And Dante had shown the entire town of Mistletoe that he was head over heels in love with Lucy. Stella had no doubt in her mind that their future was filled with nothing but happiness.
Once she got dressed, Stella didn’t waste any time heading out the door. As she drove along the coastal road toward town, the salty sea air floated on the wind through her car window. Soon enough she would be exchanging chalkboards and homework assignments for sea glass hunts and sandals. It was something wonderful to look forward to. Stella easily made the eight-minute drive to school with her hair flowing in the wind and the sun shining down on her. Upon arrival she immediately made her way to the teachers’ lounge to grab a cup of coffee and a doughnut.
Paul Whittaker walked over to the coffee station, where Stella was standing waiting for her K-Cup to percolate. Ever since coming on board as principal, Paul had made it clear to Stella that he was romantically interested in her, feelings she didn’t reciprocate. For starters, it simply wasn’t wise to date your boss. Second, she didn’t have the slightest bit of attraction toward him. If nothing else, Stella needed sparks to ignite with any potential love interest. Paul wasn’t it.
“Morning, Paul,” Stella said, grabbing her mug and stepping aside so he could prepare his own coffee without either of them invading the other’s personal space.
“Good morning, Stella.” Paul placed his coffee cup in the holder and began pressing the machine’s buttons. He looked her up and down in the same objectifying way he always did. “You look very nice for our end-of-school celebration,” he said. “We have a wonderful surprise this morning for one of our students.” A hint of a smile played at the corners of his lips.
“A surprise? That’s great. For which student?” Excitement raced through her at the idea of someone receiving good news. It would be wonderful to end the school year on a high note. Perhaps one of the kids had won an award or been chosen for a special distinction. That would be a great source of pride for the student and the school district. Stella lived for these special moments where talent and hard work were applauded.
Paul pressed a finger against his lips. “All will be revealed at the assembly. Until then it’s top secret.” His lips were twisted upward in the semblance of a smile that came off as creepy.
Stella fought against the urge to roll her eyes. Paul loved dangling carrots in front of the staff members’ noses. He seemed to love knowing things no one else did. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of asking any more questions even though he’d piqued her curiosity. Carolina Rivera, her close friend and a fellow teacher, rolled her eyes from a few feet away. She couldn’t count the number of times they’d shared inside jokes about their boss. Paul was the gift that kept on giving them something to talk about.
“Would it kill him to spill the beans? Why even mention it in the first place? He just loves torturing us,” Carolina said as soon as Paul walked away. She shook her head at the principal’s retreating figure. “Maybe Idris Elba is here in Mistletoe visiting.”
“Dream on,” Stella said, chuckling at the idea of another movie star visiting their small New England town. Mistletoe had been buzzing with excitement last Christmas when Dante had returned home and ended up romancing her sister. It was hard to imagine lightning striking twice. Her hometown wasn’t big enough for two massively famous actors.
Carolina made a face. “Okay, well even if it isn’t Idris, I’m dying to know what the big surprise is.”
Stella shrugged. “We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose.” She let out a little squeal. “And it’s the last day of school, so it’s all good, right? That’s reason enough to celebrate.”
Carolina’s grin lit up her face. “I can’t wait for our beach days and the Fourth of July town festivities. We might even be able to squeeze in a road trip if we’re lucky.”
With wide brown eyes and full cheeks, Carolina was a beautiful woman. She’d proven herself to be a great friend to Stella over the years. Along with Lucy, Carolina had been an amazing support system when the bottom had dropped out of her world. She wasn’t sure if she could ever repay Carolina’s many kindnesses when she’d been heartbroken and humiliated by her ex-fiancé. She’d shown Stella her big heart by bringing her dinners, going on long walks with her, and passing her boxes of Kleenex. Stella would never forget those moments where Carolina had literally lifted her up off the floor.
“I better head to my classroom,” Stella said as she checked the time on her watch. “We have a full day ahead of us.”
“I’ll need a few more sips of my coffee before I’m ready to face a room full of second graders,” Carolina said as she took a lengthy swig of her aromatic brew. She wiggled her eyebrows dramatically. “I’m still hoping for an Idris sighting though.”
“Keep hope alive. See you at the assembly,” Stella said with a chuckle as she left the break room and walked down the hall toward her classroom. She also taught second graders, so she understood Carolina’s need to caffeinate herself before facing the day. Their students could be a handful. Thankfully, being a teacher was her dream job and she felt lucky each and every day.
As she drew close to her classroom, Stella spotted one of her students standing by the door waving at her.
“Morning, Miss Marshall,” Miles Keegan said, grinning up at her as he held the door to their classroom open. Dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, navy shorts, and a pair of white Converse sneakers, Miles was a stylish eight-year-old. With caramel-colored eyes, a close-cropped Afro, and burnished brown skin, Miles was an adorable kid.
“Good morning, Miles. Happy last day of school,” Stella said. She smiled back at him, her heart experiencing a pang as she locked gazes with her favorite student. No matter how hard she tried not to favor one student above the rest, Miles held a special place in her heart. He was the sweetest little boy, one who’d been plunged into grief after the death of his mother in a tragic car accident. Despite everything he’d been through, he still managed to be joyful even though he experienced moments of being out of sorts. Stella imagined he was still processing the loss of his mother, and as his teacher it was her role to help guide him on his path.
Stella walked into the classroom and placed her purse inside her desk drawer. When she turned around, Miles was standing in front of her with a bouquet of tulips tied with a bright yellow bow. “This is for you. From my dad and me.”
“They’re beautiful,” Stella said. “What a thoughtful gift.” She raised the flowers to her nostrils and inhaled the heavenly aroma. It wasn’t every day that she received a lovely bouquet from one of her students.
Miles shifted from one foot to the other. “My dad said most girls love flowers. I wanted to give you a set of Legos, but he wasn’t sure if you would like it.”
