Page 18 of Finding New Dreams

A frustrated growl tore from my lips as I pushed myself faster down the sidewalk. Why did he have to be here? I knew he was going to be trouble.

The noon sun and stretching of my muscles warmed my cold nerves, as did the familiar sights of Tangled River.

My town.

It hadn’t always been. But it felt like it now. The towering pine trees of the park, their sharp, spicy scent carrying over the square. Townspeople of all ages relaxing on the park benches, enjoying the warmth and returning color after a long Minnesota winter. Kids running and playing on the playground.

I loved it here. I enjoyed going to my friend Owen’s bookstore, the Twisted Oak, to pick up a new book and lose a few hours in the quiet haven. I never hesitated to pop into Sarah’s Sugar Shack for a lemon poppyseed scone and share a quick laugh with yet another friend. Then there was Gina’s salon and my studio, plus half a dozen other places around town that built up my life, complete with friends and neighbors.

It was safe here. I had everything I needed.

Well…not everything.

Or everyone, I should say. That faceless mystery man. The one who was supposed to sweep me off my feet and color in all the blank spots on my canvas.

Flynn’s wicked smile filled my mind, making my heart race a little faster.

Frowning, I took an abrupt turn east toward the St. Croix River. I needed to put him out of my mind. He wasn’t who I was looking for. The hot stranger I’d kissed last night was different than Chloe’s brother, whom I’d met today. And I would treat him accordingly.

After a few minutes, I turned off the sidewalk and onto a wide dirt path. The river flashed and sparkled on the other side of the dense foliage until the path spat me out right on the riverbank.

Finally, I stopped and put my hands on my hips, my chest heaving. Sweat tickled the skin between my shoulder blades.

I inhaled deeply through my nose and exhaled with a long sigh.

Ah, sweet, sweet endorphins. My body relished them.

Since it was spring, the river was engorged and rushing higher up the sandy beach than usual. But I had it to myself.

I stripped off my shoes and socks and grinned as the velvety sand pooled around my toes. I walked to the edge of the water and sat down cross-legged. Keeping my spine straight, I closed my eyes and opened my mind.

The tumbling of the river water filled my ears. Bird calls and the creaking of old trees added to the music of nature. A cool breeze and the warm sun kissed my cheeks. The world smelled brown and green. Earth and new life.

I painted the whole picture in my mind, on every sense but sight. One of my mentors had taught me this. I could still hear his croaky voice telling me, “Exclude one or two of the senses and focus on the others, Rose. What do they tell you?”

Smiling, I imagined the colors I would choose, the brush strokes I would make, the feeling I would want to capture in this moment.

I had just mentally added fluttering leaves dipping toward the busy river when my hip vibrated.

Sighing, I tacked up the painting in my mind’s project box and opened my eyes. The sudden light made me squint a bit as I pulled my phone from the slim pocket in my leggings.

A new match on my dating app.

I hesitated, my finger hovering over the notification. Before I could decide, a text message popped up from Gina.

Gina: Please don’t hate me. This could actually work out great for you! I looked up some of Flynn’s work and holy wow—and I don’t just mean the pics I found of him in his underwear.

Heat that had nothing to with the sun flashed under my skin. I tapped on her message and responded.

Rose: I could never hate you…but you do owe me. I’m thinking a pet yoga class at Uffda.

Gina: You’re evil. But fine. I’m trying really hard not to point out that there’s a very hot man in town who would probably go with you and not need a chiropractor afterward.

I rolled my eyes. Oh, Gina. So subtle.

Rose: Careful or we’ll make it two classes.

Gina sent back an emoji with zipped lips. And then, because she was Gina, a winking emoji.

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