Page 15 of A Room By the Sea

“Hey, maybe you’ll fall in love again,” Michelle said, smiling. “You never know.”

Elaine laughed. “Oh no, sweetheart. My time for romance is passed. I don’t think I could ever fall in love again.”

“Why not?” Michelle asked gently. “Mom is falling in love again. She really loved my dad but now she seems to be really falling for Evan. Why couldn’t that happen to you too?”

Elaine smiled. “Oh, I don’t—I just don’t think I really need a partner again. I’m too old for that sort of thing. And besides—now that you and your mom have moved into the house, my days are filled with fun and companionship again. That’s all I really need. I have the memory of Thomas, and I have you two. I consider myself to be a very lucky woman.”

Michelle hugged her grandmother sideways. “Well, who knows what life has in store for you? Meanwhile, how about you help me eat these amazing macaroons and then we can keep organizing the attic together?”

Elaine kissed Michelle on the side of the head. “Sounds perfect. First, do you want to help me gather up all these letters? I’d love to read them later.”

“You got it.”

Michelle felt glad that her exploring had led Elaine to the letters. She helped her grandmother fold up the letters and tie the blue ribbon around them again. She watched the tenderness with which Elaine touched the letters and smiled.

I know Grandma thinks she’ll never fall in love again, but stranger things have happened, she thought. I hope someone comes into her life who can sweep her off her feet just like Grandpa did.

CHAPTER NINE

Audrey stepped back and turned carefully from side to side, inspecting her reflection in the full-length mirror that hung in her bedroom. She wore becoming black jeans and black boots with a short heel, and for a top she’d chosen a light pink peasant blouse. She’d carefully styled her hair, making sure her bangs were straight and her curls were bouncy. She’d also carefully applied more makeup than she usually wore, choosing a dark pink lipstick that complemented the shade of her blouse.

She smiled, feeling attractive and excited about her date with Evan. She glanced at the clock on the wall, noting that it was only ten more minutes until he was due to come pick her up at the mansion.

I’d better get downstairs, she thought, grinning. Evan’s the type of guy who’s usually a few minutes early.

She grabbed a white leather jacket, in case it got chilly later in the evening, and made her way downstairs, practically skipping like a schoolgirl.

She never would have thought, when she’d first met Evan, that she would be waiting to go on a date with him and feeling more excited than she had in years. She chuckled as she remembered the look on his face after she’d whirled around and splashed her cappuccino all over the important township documents that he’d been carrying. She’d thought to herself that that was the only time she would ever talk to him, especially considering how embarrassing their introduction had been, but then she’d found herself in his office when she was in search of the documents that she needed in order to turn The Birchwood House into a historical site. Evan had been terse, informing her that in addition to the historical site documentation, she needed permits in order to rebuild the front porch of the mansion.

He sure seemed to be trying to make my mission harder at first, she thought with a laugh. But I realized soon enough that he was ensuring that every I was dotted and every T was crossed because he wanted our hotel to succeed.

She paused in the middle of the staircase, her expression growing dreamy as she remembered when she’d realized that Evan was being extra fussy about the legal details of The Birchwood House because he enjoyed spending time with her. He’d soon confirmed that verbally, and he’d made it clear that he wanted to start dating her.

She stared into space, wondering what would have happened if she hadn’t been brave enough to step out of her comfort zone and agree to start dating Evan. She’d been scared to open up her heart again after the pain of Clark’s betrayal, and at first, she’d told Evan that she wasn’t ready to start dating anyone. He’d wanted to wait for her until she was ready, something that still touched her heart deeply.

I think I’m healing through our relationship faster than I would have healed without it, she thought, smiling as she continued to descend the staircase. Evan is such a kind, thoughtful man. I’m so glad I took a leap of faith and that we’re dating now instead of just waiting to maybe date someday in the future.

She and Evan had been taking things slowly, getting to know one another better, and Audrey couldn’t have been happier that she’d allowed herself to consider forming a serious, lasting bond with Evan.

They’d been having a great time going out on simple dates like getting ice cream, going on beach trips, attending concerts together, and having simple movie nights in with popcorn and wine. They usually laughed together a great deal, having conversations that were sometimes simply fun and sometimes got deep and personal. She liked Evan’s quick, orderly, honest mind. He wasn’t quick to talk about his feelings, but he was quick to be supportive of hers, and every once in a while he confessed something vulnerable that made her feel closer to him than ever.

She sat down on one of the couches in the parlor, watching the road outside The Birchwood House to see if Evan had arrived yet or not. She found herself thinking about the last time they’d sat down on a couch next to each other. Evan had hinted gently that he was hoping that they could advance their dating to the next level and officially call themselves a relationship.

She bit her lip, feeling a flutter of nervousness that Evan might grow discouraged by her unreadiness to fully commit to a relationship if her willingness to officially become his girlfriend didn’t increase soon.

It’s not that I don’t want to, she thought. I just want to make sure we’re not rushing into anything. After all, I just got divorced. But I know Evan wants to make things between us official.

She pressed her lips together, feeling nervous again. Then she took another deep breath, reminding herself that he had been nothing but patient with her as she took their relationship slowly. He also seemed to be genuinely enjoying simply getting to know her, just like she’d been thoroughly enjoying getting to know him.

She stood up again and went to check her reflection in the full-length mirror that was hanging on the wall in the parlor. Evan was taking her out to the Bluewater Bistro, which was one of the fanciest places in town. She wondered if her outfit was a little too casual for the occasion.

She turned back and forth in front of the mirror, then glanced at the clock again. Evan wasn’t due to arrive for another six minutes. If she hurried upstairs, she could change into something a little fancier. She had a black dress that she hadn’t worn out yet, and she was eager to wear it.

She hesitated for another second, then grinned and raced back upstairs. She changed in a flurry, and in just another couple of minutes she was carefully zipping up the sleek black dress. She slipped on a pair of elegant but simple black heels with an ankle strap.

“Phew,” she whispered, checking the time again. She checked her reflection and smiled. She looked snazzy and she liked how beautiful the dress made her feel. She grabbed her white leather jacket again and then hurried out of her room.

She was back in the parlor in less than a minute, and one quick glance through the front window told her that Evan still hadn’t arrived. She began to pace back and forth a little, not wanting to sit down again. She was feeling excited about the date, and still a little nervous. When Evan had suggested that they go to the Bluewater Bistro together, his tone had sounded more serious than usual. In addition to that, they hadn’t been to a fancy restaurant together on a date before, and that also contributed to making the date feel like more of a big deal.