Page 133 of Banter & Blushes #1

D rops of rain washed across the beach leaving speckles of wetness on the already matted sand.

Elva’s footprints soaked in before releasing, filled to the brim with moisture.

Surprised by the rain, she had to admit that she didn’t mind.

After the whirlwind day she welcomed the distraction.

The dedication went off perfectly. Even perfect still was the ending. But where did it leave them?

“Come here often?” Mitch’s voice behind her startled her back to the present moment. A sudden wet nose nudged her hand and she looked down to see Dozer sitting by her side, his bumper in his mouth.

“Hi,” she turned to greet him. “This is a surprise,” she held her open palms up collecting rain water. “I’m hoping this is just a quick summer storm.” She explained as drops fell harder.

Chuckling Mitch looked up toward the sky and then wiped water from his forehead. “Everything about this summer has been a surprise. But the sun always returns after this, right?”

Turning her head to the side she looked at the man standing in a suit, all wet in front of her. The sun always returned the note from the bottle they found said. How true that seemed to be now.

Jogging closer to Elva and his dog, he explained, “Dozer here wanted a quick run before we head back to Red Bird. As you can see he doesn’t mind the rain one bit.”

“You don’t, do you?” She smiled down at the dog waiting patiently for someone to throw his toy. Taking the hint, Elva grabbed the long string hanging from the end of the retriever and he instantly released his hold on it. “That’s such a good boy,” she smiled.

“Besides, I barely even noticed it raining.” He smiled despite dripping water from his hair and clothes.

“Honestly, I was hoping to see you before we left.” Mitch took another step until he was face to face with Elva.

“I just needed to say that…” taking her hands in his, he continued, “I think we’ve danced around this all summer.

And I’m pretty sure you feel the same way I do. Don’t you?”

Staring down at his powerful hands holding hers, so delicate and gentle her eyes scanned to his face. “How is that?” She knew, of course, she did. But she needed to hear him say it first. She had to be sure.

“The very first moment our eyes met at your restaurant, I knew.” His thumb wiped water gently from the side of her cheek as she closed her eyes, melting into his warm touch.

“I knew that you were the one for me.” His same hand raised her chin up to study her face.

“I’ve loved every minute of getting to know you this summer.

Walking you home and holding your hand. I don’t want it to end. ”

“Oh Mitch,” she didn’t know what else to say. “I felt it, too.” She had to admit. There was no more pretending. She had to come clean. “I think there’s something here. But now that the project is over…” She trailed off.

“Red Bird isn’t that far. Besides, the Blue Claws still have a bunch of games into the Fall,” he laughed, hoping the lure of baseball would get her.

“I see. This is about baseball, then?” She teased. “You know, I did have my eye on a hunky designated hitter at the ballpark.”

His eyes creased into a full face smile. “Did you?”

“Too bad he doesn’t play anymore, though. “

“Yeah,” his face slowly moved closer to hers, “that is too bad. I do know a guy that's pretty good at chopping vegetables, though. I think I can get you his number.”

She closed her eyes as his lips lingered near hers waiting for them to touch. “I’d love that.”

“Good. Because he already loves you,” he whispered. His lips pressed softly onto hers. Both knew this was the last first kiss of their lives. Sweet and memorable, it was perfect on the coast of the Landings.

As fast as the storm came on, it ended just as quickly. A colorful double rainbow appeared as the winds pushed the clouds out revealing a brilliant setting sun on the horizon.

Elva felt her entire body relax into his strong arms. For the first time in a long time she felt completely at ease. Her love story was finally here and what a story it was. She knew it was just the beginning for them. Peeling her lips from his she asked, “where have you been all my life?”

“Waiting for you,” his fingers intertwined with hers as they began walking the shoreline. “Come on, boy,” he called to Dozer, who pranced along by their side.

Just like the large banner on the website, they walked into the second chapter of their future together, thankful for second chanc es.

Here’s to Sunsets and Second Chances

Thank you for reading Sunsets and Second Chances .