She was ready.
After her family left, Maileah closed the door. She was alone, except for the rustling of creatures she hadn’t yet identified. Birds and squirrels, she hoped.
A breeze cooled the room through wood-framed windows she’d cracked open a few inches and secured with a safety peg. Leaves swished lazily across the roof.
Clad in an old T-shirt, she slid between the soft, worn sheets she’d brought from Junie’s house. Maileah felt comforted under the old bedspread wrapped around her like a hug.
Every creak in the old cottage registered in her weary brain, cataloged to explore in the daylight. As she lay still, thedistant, rhythmic sound of ocean waves floated into the cozy bedroom.
Tomorrow would be the start of her new life.
She already knew what she had to do, even if it went against everything she thought she desired.
12
Maileah rose when the sun streamed through her windows. She’d forgotten to close the curtains last night before bed, but she was happy to get up early today.
She stretched and padded into the kitchen where she’d set up her coffee maker last night. She made a cup and brought out the cold pizza from last night, sitting outside to enjoy her morning feast.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel path, and she looked up to see Babe.
“I’m going for a run on the beach before I open my shop. I thought I’d see how you’re getting along and ask if you want to join me.” Babe grinned. “Breakfast of champions?”
“You know it.” Maileah brushed crumbs from her T-shirt. “I could use an adrenaline rush. Give me a minute, and I’ll join you. There’s a little coffee left in the pot if you want some. Help yourself. You probably know where everything is better than I do.”
She changed quickly and stepped outside.
“This is the most direct path to the beach,” Babe said, gesturing ahead.
There weren’t many people on the shore at this time of the morning. Most were probably locals, she imagined.
Just then, she saw Deb walking on the beach with a German shepherd. She looked up and saw them.
Maileah waved at her. “Let’s say hello. I need to return her vehicle today.”
“Deb is one of my best customers,” Babe said.
“Hey, you two,” Deb said with a wide grin. She tossed a piece of driftwood for her dog. “Fetch it up, Duke.”
“Thanks for the use of your SUV,” Maileah said. “I’ll bring it back after our run.”
“Take your time,” Deb said. “I don’t need it today. Did you get settled in your cottage?”
Maileah grinned at Babe. “I love it. Such a sweet little place.”
Babe knelt to retie her shoelace. “I think we’re both pretty happy about it.”
“And I hear you’re dating Todd Gilmore,” Deb said. “I’ve been helping him design the house he just bought. He’s a real sweetheart. Good for you.”
Maileah wasn’t sure how she felt about this. “How did you know?”
“I saw Junie at the Majestic, and she told me. I’m there every day on that job to make sure the right color paint goes on the right wall.”
Duke bounded back, and Deb tossed the stick again. Maileah was relieved to avoid other questions about Todd.
After taking off along the shoreline in an easy trot, Babe said, “You should meet us at Cuppa Jo’s later. The surfing championship tour will be on the big screen. Skeeter is going to find out when Sailor is up. Have you ever watched before?”
“Not really,” Maileah said. “I’d like to see that.” It would be good research for her ideas.
