Page 2 of Bearly Believable Romance

As Tabitha continued her exploration, a colorful sign caught her eye. “Whispering Pines Market” it read in bold, cheerful letters. Intrigued, she crossed the street and pushed open the door, a merry jingle announcing her arrival.

The market was a treasure trove of sights, sounds, and smells. Tabitha’s eyes widened as she took in the array of colorful produce, artisanal cheeses, and locally crafted goods that lined the shelves. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted from the back of the store, making her mouth water.

As she navigated the narrow aisles, Tabitha found herself drawn to a display of handmade candles. She picked one up, inhaling the delicate scent of lavender and vanilla.

“Those are made by our very own Celeste Rowan Blackwood,” a voice behind her said.

Tabitha turned to see a friendly-faced woman with silver hair and twinkling blue eyes.

“She infuses them with a touch of magic, you know,” the woman continued with a conspiratorial wink. “Some say they bring good luck and pleasant dreams.”

Intrigued, Tabitha added the candle to her basket. “I could certainly use a bit of both,” she said with a smile.

As she continued to fill her basket with essentials - a loaf of crusty sourdough, a wedge of sharp cheddar, and a jar of fragrant wildflower honey - Tabitha found herself engrossed in conversation with the shopkeeper, a jovial man named Bert.

“You must be Liza’s granddaughter,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “She was a wonderful woman, always had a kind word and a bit of wisdom to share. We’re all so sorry for your loss.”

Tabitha felt a lump form in her throat at the mention of her grandmother. “Thank you,” she managed, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the town she loved so much.”

Bert nodded, a knowing smile on his face. “Whispering Pines has a way of working its magic on people,” he said. “You’ll see. Before you know it, you’ll feel right at home.”

At the checkout counter, Tabitha stood next to another customer smiling at her, a plump, rosy-cheeked woman with sparkling eyes. “I bet you’re Liza’s granddaughter,” the woman said, reaching out to clasp Tabitha’s hand. “I’m Mabel. Your grandmother was a dear friend. We’re so glad to have you here.”

Tabitha’s heart swelled at another mention of her grandmother. “Thank you,” she replied, “I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone.”

As she stepped back onto the sunlit street, Tabitha noticed a group of children playing in a nearby park. Their laughter floated on the breeze, a joyful melody that made her smile. Suddenly, a wayward ball came flying in her direction, nearly hitting her before she instinctively raised her hand, using a touch of magic to gently float the ball back to the wide-eyed children.

A hush fell over the park as the children stared at Tabitha in awe. She felt a blush creep into her cheeks, realizing her mistake. In the city, she had grown accustomed to hiding her magical abilities, but here in Whispering Pines, it seemed that magic was woven into the very fabric of the town. She knew that while many magical creatures lived there, not all the residents had her abilities.

Whispers followed Tabitha as she hurried away from the park, her heart racing. She ducked into a small café, hoping to escape the curious glances and murmurs. As she waited in line, she couldn’t help but overhear the conversation of two women seated nearby.

“Did you see that? Liza’s granddaughter is magical!”

“I wonder what brought her back after all these years. You don’t think she’s here to claim her inheritance, do you?”

Tabitha’s cheeks burned as she listened, feeling like an outsider in this close-knit community. She quickly placed her order and retreated to a corner table, sipping her latte and trying to calm her nerves.

As the afternoon wore on, Tabitha found herself seeking solace in the tranquil beauty of a small park on the outskirts of town. The lush green grass dotted with colorful wildflowers stretched out before her, inviting her to take a moment to breathe and collect her thoughts. She settled onto a weathered wooden bench, the sun on her face a welcome respite from the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed her since arriving in Whispering Pines.

Closing her eyes, Tabitha focused on her breathing, a technique she had learned long ago to calm her racing mind. With each inhale, she drew in the sweet scent of wildflowers and fresh grass, letting them fill her lungs and soothe her frayed nerves. With each exhale, she released the tension that had worked into her shoulders, feeling it melt away like ice under the summer sun.

As she sat there, lost in the gentle rhythm of her breath, Tabitha heard the soft crunch of footsteps approaching. Her eyes fluttered open, and she saw an older woman with silver hair and a kind smile walking toward her. The woman’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and Tabitha couldn’t help but feel drawn to her.

TWO

Tabitha smiled at the woman. “Hello.”

“Hello, dear. You must be Tabitha,” the woman said, her voice gentle and lilting. “I’m Elsie Blackwood. Your grandmother and I were great friends.”

Tabitha sat up straighter, surprise etched on her face. “You knew my grandmother?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elsie nodded, her smile growing wider. “Oh, yes. Liza and I go way back. She was a remarkable woman, full of life and love.” She paused, her eyes taking on a faraway look. “I miss her dearly.”

Tabitha felt another lump form in her throat, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. “I wish I had known her. I have no memories of her,” she confessed, her voice thick with emotion. “I feel like I missed out on so much.”

Elsie reached out and patted Tabitha’s hand, her touch warm and comforting. “You’re here now,” she said, her eyes shining with understanding. “And that’s what matters. Your grandmother would be so proud of you for coming and facing the unknown.”

Tabitha nodded, swallowing hard against the tears that threatened to fall. “Thank you,” she whispered, her heart swelling with gratitude for this woman who had known her grandmother so well.

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