I look out the window again, the rain still falling, the wind howling in the distance. Driftwood Cove looks quieter than usual, as if even the town knows it’s a day for solitude.
I’m fine with that. Sometimes, it’s easier to be alone, easier to shut everything out and focus on something that doesn’t have emotional strings attached.
When I finish my work for the day, I get up from the table, stretch my legs, and glance at the clock. It’s late, and the sky outside is darkening quickly.
I should probably check on Rusty, maybe take him for a walk to clear my mind.
I can’t help but feel the pull of Driftwood Cove, the isolation I’ve carved out for myself here.
It’s quiet. It’s peaceful. It feels like a place I don’t want to leave. Not just because of the work I’ve done here, but because of something that keeps creeping into my thoughts—the way I miss Cora, even when I’m not thinking about her.
I need to do something about that.
Tomorrow, I’ll go to town. I’ll find Cora and apologize.
12
CORA
It’s been a hell of a day.
At first, I thought it was the rain, that steady downpour that’s been going on for hours now, but it didn’t take long for me to realize it was more than that.
My skin’s been burning, my body overheating in a way that has nothing to do with the weather. I thought I was losing my mind. So, I called Dr. Avery.
She said I’d need to come in for a consultation, that maybe my symptoms were being triggered by stress.
Great. That’s just what I need.
The rain doesn’t stop, though. It’s relentless, pouring down as if Driftwood Cove itself is rebelling against Noah being gone.
I snort at the thought. Ridiculous. I miss him, that’s all. Nothing more. He’s only been gone for a day, and yet, the weight of his absence feels like weeks.
As the clock ticks toward seven, I finally admit to myself that no one else is coming by today.
I usually wait until no customers have come in for about an hour. That’s usually around eight or even ten on weekends.
Today, though, the last customer I had was at noon, and they were in and out in a flash. I lock up the bakery, but the exhaustion is creeping in.
There’s something off, something deeper that’s making me feel like I’m suffocating. I shake my head and laugh at myself. It’s just the heat. And my stupid, stupid feelings for him.
I dash outside, trying to get to my car as fast as I can, the rain making my skirt cling to my legs and my tank top stick to my back.
By the time I reach the car, my skin is already soaked through. I throw open the door, start the engine, and?—
Nothing.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
The car won’t start.
It was just fixed by Elias yesterday. I slam the wheel in frustration, muttering a string of curses.
“Not today. Not today, of all days,” I say, trying the ignition again. Still nothing. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but when I check, it’s just a low battery warning. It’s down to 10%, and I don’t have my charger with me. It’s at home.
I glance around the car, my mind racing. Should I call Elias? No. After everything that happened yesterday, I haven’t heard from him, and I know better than to push him right now. I can’t deal with him and his attitude today.
I just can’t.
