Page 6 of Banter & Blushes

“Trash?”

She sighs. “You know, all the stuff beachgoers leave behind. No one seems tolive by the motto ‘leave no trace’ anymore.” Frustration and disappointment leak from her words. “Some days I’m picking up more litter than anything else.”

“What litter did you encounter before I joined the hunt?”

Her steps slow and her expression looks like she’s mentally ticking items off a list. “Six plastic bottles... One flip flop... A broken sand pail... Some doggie poop.”

My nose wrinkles at that one and I start to keep a closer eye on where I’m stepping.

“Oh! There was also an old bottle.”

“Complete with a message inside?” I tease.

Luna’s eyes widen. “I don’t know.” That contemplative expression flits across her face again “The bottle was covered with sand, so I threw it in the garbage bin about a half mile back.”

“You might have missed an important message from the universe.”

She turns as if to retrace her steps, but I put a restraining hand on her arm. “I’m only kidding!”

Luna stares at me, then shrugs. “You’re right. It was only trash.”

We continue walking but now I’m focused more intently on where I’m going. Before the trash conversation I was, I admit, more focused on my beautiful companion. That’s probably why my contribution to her stash is exactly zero of the unbroken sea creatures.

Just as the sun starts to sink beyond the horizon, Luna says, “This is where I get off.” She points to a wooden dune crossing a few feet away that leads to a parking lot. One lone car in the lot is presumably hers. “Thanks for helping me.” She pulls a perfectly formed sand dollar from her pail and hands it to me. “A token of my appreciation.”

“Thank you.” I choke back unexpected emotions at the sweet gesture. Turning the smooth sand dollar over in my hand, I think about the journey it made to get here, to be found by the beautiful shopkeeper. In some serendipitous way, it feels like this mimics my own journey.

“Enjoy the rest of your weekend!” she says as she jogs off. Her silhouette stands out against the darkening sky, with only the bright yellow Chuck Taylors still visible in the dim light.

I turn back towards my beach rental, wondering how I fell under Luna’s spell so quickly.Maybe you don’t need her matchmaking services after all, my heart whispers.

I stifle the thought. Even though I’m drawn to the shopkeeper, I need to be serious about finding the future Mrs. Bainbridge. My intent is still to find a compatible big-city woman whose career keeps her satisfied and busy. I better not let myself get distracted by the whimsical teashop beauty.

Plus I need to focus on this sale. Hugo set up a meet-and-greet with potential buyers for Monday. He took care of all the details, including invitations and catering. All I’m required to do is attend, shmooze with the potential buyers and real estate agents, answer questions about the property, then wait for offers toroll in. I’ll be too busy to think about Luna, although she dominates my thoughts for the rest of the weekend, despite my better judgment. Once this meet-and-greet is over, I’ll have to make my way back to her shop. To discuss her matchmaking services. Obviously.

Monday arriveswith perfect weather for showing off Hugo’s property. Sunshine, a fresh sea breeze, and the rhythmic sound of ocean waves as they gently lap against the shore. Mother Nature is going to help sell this place.

While I’m enjoying a cup of coffee on the back deck, my phone alerts me to an incoming text. I read it and frown.

Attorney Jerry:87 days (clock emoji)

Darn man!He isn’t going to let me forget about the ultimatum. Since my peaceful morning has been so rudely interrupted, I toss the rest of the coffee in the sand and jog inside. Time to get ready for the meet-and-greet.

About fifteen minutes later, I turn onto the sandy driveway leading to Hugo’s nondescript home. It looks just like all the other clapboard-sided beach bungalows dotting the shoreline. The adjacent acreage he’s selling will allow him to upgrade his home or knock it down and build a luxurious house fit for a king. He hasn’t shared his plans with me and frankly, it’s none of my business.

The ramshackle house looks like it could use a raft of repairs. Hugo insisted on hosting the meet-and-greet here and not at a nicer place in town. This way potential buyers can tour the neighboring property after we serve coffee and pastries.

A relatively new-looking van bearing a purple and pink logo from Zoe’s Bakery is parked off to the side of the driveway. The amusing conversation from my first meeting with Luna rattles through my brain.Is this the bakery that won the right to offer coffee after the coin flip?

Chuckling, I head towards the back door, following the instructions Hugo provided. The door is propped open, so I enter then follow the noise of laughter and conversation as I head down a long hallway and into the kitchen. My feet skid to a stop as I take in the scene before me.

Every counter in the cramped kitchen is filled with silver trays bearing different kinds of delicious-looking baked goods. Despite my large breakfast, my mouth waters and I fleetingly hope these treats contain sugar.

As if my thoughts of Luna summoned the woman, the beautiful tea shop owner herself and a woman about her age are chatting with Hugo from across the room. I do a double take at the conservative plain white shirt and black pants worn by both women, then chuckle when I see that Luna is wearing another pair of Chuck Taylors, these being lime green and pink. I’m not surprised at the flash of color after seeing her wearing that funky, brightly colored flowy outfit. Despite the plain attire, she’s still beautiful, vibrant, and alluring—just in a toned-down fashion.

“Cade! Join us for a cup of coffee before our visitors arrive,” Hugo bellows in his deep voice.

Both women’s heads turn, and Luna’s eyes brighten when she sees me.

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