Page 18 of Serenity at Seagrove
"Smart woman," Dawson said.
"Yeah. Yeah, I think she is."
The sound of the ocean drifted through the open window. It was steady and constant. It never stopped. It came in, it went out—much like breathing, he thought. And then he remembered Luna's words about working with his body instead of against it.
"So," Dawson said, "I'll tell Julie you'll be at Sunday dinner?"
Archer sighed. "Do I really have a choice?"
"In this town, with these particular women?" Dawson laughed. "Not really."
After Dawson left, Archer found himself drawn to the window again. From his room at the inn, he could see Serenity's pale pink exterior off in the distance. A light was still on inside, and he could make out Luna's silhouette moving around, probably preparing for tomorrow's classes. He thought about the tea she'd given him, how the unfamiliar blend of herbs had somehow calmed the constant tension in his shoulder, how she'd talked about her grandmother's garden in Puerto Rico but had chosen Seagrove instead.
He got that—how a place could call to you, how it could feel like home even when it didn't make any sense on paper. That's how the golf course had always felt to him. It didn't matter which golf course he was on, they all felt like home. When he didn't look down and see bright green grass, perfectly manicured, it felt weird to him.
His phone buzzed on the nightstand—another message from his agent that he ignored. What could he say?Sorry, can't think about comebacks right now. I'm too busy drinking herbal tea and signing up for gentle movement classes.
But Luna's voice echoed in his head.Sometimes the things we miss the most are the feelings they gave us, not the things themselves.
He looked at his workout clothes again. They were simple and basic, unlike the high-tech gear he'd worn on tour. But maybe that was the point. Maybe Dawson was right. It was time to strip everything back to the basics, including himself.
The only problem was, he didn't remember that guy or what he was like.
One breath at a time,he muttered to himself.
CHAPTER6
Luna woke before dawn and walked into the living room to start moving through her morning routine. Routine was a big part of her life. She had quite a dysfunctional childhood at different moments, and having a routine had kept her sane over the years. She brewed a fresh batch of her abuela's tea blend and stepped out onto the deck to watch the sky lighten over the ocean. She couldn't imagine a time where this would ever get old. She had dreamed of being in Seagrove her entire life, and now she finally lived here and could look at this view every day. She wondered if other people got used to it after a while, but she vowed to herself it would never become just a humdrum part of her day. She would appreciate it with as much gratitude as she could muster.
Today was important. This was the first gentle movement class she would teach in Seagrove, and she knew Archer would be among the students. She'd spent extra time planning the session because she wanted to strike the perfect balance between accessible and therapeutic. After finishing the tea, she moved to the main space, lighting candles and opening windows. There was nothing like fresh ocean air to start your day. The yoga deck would be perfect for the class, with the sound of the waves and the seabirds creating a natural soundtrack for healing.
She was adjusting the meditation cushions when she heard footsteps on the front porch. Through the window, she saw Archer standing there, looking like he might run away at any second. He was a full twenty minutes early. She opened the door and offered a warm smile, knowing this was hard for him.
"Good morning. Come on in and get settled."
Archer stepped inside, his movement still stiff and guarded. He wore simple workout clothes like she'd suggested, and his hair was slightly damp from what she guessed was a morning walk on the beach.
"I wasn't sure—" he started, looking around uncertainly.
"You're exactly where you need to be," Luna said. "Would you like some tea while we wait for the others?"
"Tea would be good," Archer said as he followed her into the kitchen. "Same kind as before?"
Luna nodded, preparing two cups of her abuela's blend. "It helps relax the muscles before we start. My grandmother always said tension lives in our bodies long before it shows up in our minds."
"She sounds like she was a very wise woman with a lot to say," Archer said, chuckling.
"That's probably an accurate representation," Luna responded.
She watched as Archer took a careful sip, noting how his shoulders seemed to lower slightly with each breath.
"So, how many others?" he asked, his voice a bit gruff.
"Just three today. Everyone's working through different injuries or pain. Sarah is recovering from back surgery. I also have a fisherman with a chronic knee issue and a retired teacher with arthritis. So, everyone's journey is different."
Before he could respond, the door opened and the other students began arriving. Luna watched as he retreated slightly into himself, positioning himself at the back of the deck. She understood that he needed space to have the illusion of privacy, even in a group setting. There was probably the worry also that someone would recognize him. She assumed that would be very upsetting.
Once everyone settled in on their mats, she began the class, keeping her voice soft but clear so they could hear it over the waves.
