Page 29 of Tempting the Heart

Someone pounded the truck bed, and I nearly broke my neck by shooting off my seat and thumping into the top of the cab. When I glanced in the side mirror, I saw Mae’s friendly face smiling back at me, and I chuckled as I rubbed my head and opened the door.

“Hey there, stranger,” she said coyly. “Thirsty?”

I smiled. “You could say that.”

Her eyes stayed on mine. “You kind of look like death warmed over.”

“That’s comforting to hear,” I said, laughing.

“That came out wrong. It’s just this morning, you looked…” Her lips twisted into a baffled pout. “less stressed.”

“Perceptive, as usual.” I climbed out of the truck and glanced at the coffee shop before returning my gaze to hers. She looked as stunning as ever. “Just stuff at the homestead.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

I stepped forward, catching the sweet smell of soap or perfume. “I’ve learned to expect the worst, but somehow, that doesn’t work either.”

She chuckled and shook her head, reaching for my hand and quickly squeezing it. “I’m headed to meet the family for dinner, but make sure you tell Steph it’s on the house.”

I shook my head as she let go of my hand. I missed her touch instantly. “Not a chance. I didn’t come here to mooch off all my old friends.”

Mae smirked and kept her eyes on mine, and I felt like every cell in my body was on alert. She was gorgeous, caring, and everything I needed in this particular moment.

But I couldn’t stay on Marigold, and she was very much engrained in Marigold. It wouldn’t be fair to her.

“Speaking of, how about a drink after my family dinner?” She shrugged. “Unless you have plans.”

I laughed as her eyes sparkled. “My schedule is pretty free these next few days. I’d love that.”

“The place you’re staying has a pretty good lounge. Wanna meet there?”

“Sounds great.”

She patted my shoulder and smiled wider. “Perfect. Then we can sort out the details for tomorrow.”

Before I could protest, she looked both ways and jogged across the street, where I spotted Brad already heading into a restaurant. One thing I knew for certain was that I didn’t want either Mae or Brad near my parents. My friends didn’t deserve that.

My stomach knotted into a tight mess, and I walked into the coffee shop, wondering what to do next.

Chapter Nine

Mae

The sun cast a warm glow across the horizon. The tranquil ocean stretched as far as I could see. The inky blue shimmered from the sun’s rays as a gentle breeze rippled the water. It was magnificent. I only wished I knew why each of my siblings and I had been given an envelope.

From the patio, a scene of unmatched beauty unfolded. The ocean, a never-ending tapestry of blue, stretched as far as the eye could see. The waves, like a heartbeat, steadily kissed the pillars below, their soft slush a chorus that invited me to lose myself in the memories of Tyler.

It didn’t matter that I was surrounded by my siblings as we waited for my parents to show up. I could only think about Tyler and the sadness deeply embedded in his gaze. He looked exhausted and emotionally worn down. His shoulders had sunk, and even his breathing seemed heavier. I couldn’t imagine what had happened in the last few hours since I’d seen him earlier, but it made my heart ache.

I sighed silently as the salty sea air mingled with the fragrant lilac blossoms edged along the restaurant patio, creating an aromatic scent. The patio, made of richly stained cedar, complemented the brightly painted tables and seating areas in reds and blues.

A large yacht in the distance glided effortlessly across the water, highlighting a masterpiece of colors in the sky. Deep blues, turquoise, and soft clouds blended effortlessly. It was the perfect backdrop for the summer evening.

There was a reason I loved living on Marigold Island. It wasn’t just beautiful. It was heavenly and provided the perfect escape. It always had.

Except that wasn’t the case for Tyler, and I suddenly felt foolish about how naïve I’d been about his upbringing and mine.

I was lucky. My family had always been close, and my parents were always kind. It was hard to reconcile that someone I’d felt close to growing up didn’t have that same upbringing, and I didn’t even realize it.

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