Page 12 of The Summer I Stayed (Midlife Meet Cute #5)

Maggie

I hit publish on my latest post about the lake house updates and the Summer Festival’s photo booth as I sit in my sun-drenched living room.

I’ve been here at the lake house for a few days now that the major things are done and we finished my bedroom.

We’re almost done with renovations, and I’m excited to be staying here now.

I won’t say my feelings haven’t been conflicted, though.

Lying in bed the first night, there was a pit in my stomach thinking of how Steven should be here beside me.

But I know he’s in a better place, and life here, well, I have to just keep going.

Keep living. And make the most of my time here, that’s what Steven would have wanted.

I can honor his memory while also building new ones. So that’s what I’m going to do.

My phone buzzes from the coffee table.

Alison

Proud of you, Mom! The festival sounds like it’s going to be fun. Wish I could come visit!

She’s been on her own adventure with college and seems to be adjusting well, which I’m grateful for.

Lila

Girlfriend, you have truly outdone yourself! Can’t wait to hug you at the festival and see the lake house in person!

Caroline

Yes! Excited to see you! Any single prospects? *winky face*

I chuckle at Caroline.

Me

Maybe this is your summer to meet a hot firefighter *fire emoji*

Lila

Oh La La!

Caroline

Yes, please!

I wander out onto the porch, staring at the serene lake before me, and a sense of calm washes over me.

Blue Alder Cove has always held a special place in my heart.

And now, it’s a place where I found myself again amid loss and change.

A place I came to mend, but ended up mending myself in return.

I almost don’t recognize the woman who drove into town that first day.

My blog’s success is an added bonus I hadn’t anticipated. It reconnected me with a wonderful community. Gemma, Edna, and the rest of the town, as nosy as they are, have welcomed me with open arms and supported me in my journey here.

And Jake…Jake has been a significant part of that journey too. He’s become a close friend, someone I can rely on. Not just with the renovation work (or a little eye candy), but being there when I needed someone and sharing our life stories.

A moment of clarity washes over me. I know what I want.

Blue Alder Cove is not just a temporary healing ground or a vacation spot. It’s home.

This is the summer I stay.

I spot Caroline and Lila making their way through the crowd, their heads tilted in laughter.

It feels like it’s been forever since I last saw them.

The festival is filled with bright summer-colored decorations and vendors selling handcrafted goods to freshly baked goods like pretzels and sweets.

The smells have been taunting me for hours while I helped set everything up.

“Maggie!” Lila calls out, her arms spread wide as she engulfs me in a hug.

Caroline follows suit, and I’m squeezed between them, just like the day I decided to come here. We’re just missing Alison.

“This is amazing! I see why you and Steven loved coming every year. This town is adorable!” Caroline sighs in awe.

Caroline and Lila start gushing over the festival and how they can’t wait to taste everything. They’re like kids in a candy store; their excitement is infectious.

As we start to walk through the grounds, Caroline loops her arm through mine. “So,” she says in a teasing tone, “where’s Jake?”

“He’s around here somewhere, I’m sure.”

“Well, I want to meet the man who’s been keeping you company all these weeks.”

I laugh, shaking my head at her. “We’re just friends, Caroline.”

As if he heard us talking about him, Jake strides into view, carrying a large box. His shirt hugs his defined arms, and the afternoon sun shines on his hair.

“That’s him,” I tell the girls.

“Oh my,” she lowers her sunglasses. “Even cuter in person. You have good taste, Maggie Wilkes.”

Lila covers her face at Caroline’s blatant staring, but I find myself biting my bottom lip. He sure is.

He locks eyes with me, and a small smirk grows on his face. Not a full smile, not like when we were painting the photo backdrop. Is that smile reserved just for me?

“Maggie,” he greets me, then nods in acknowledgment to Lila and Caroline.

“Ladies, meet Jake Hollis,” I introduce them. “These are my best friends, Caroline and Lila.”

He shakes their hands, and they exchange pleasantries when Tom appears behind him. Caroline sends me a side-eyed smirk.

“This is Tom,” I say. “Jake’s friend and a firefighter in town.”

Caroline steps forward, offering her hand to Tom. “Well, hello there.” Her voice drops an octave, and the flirtatious grin she gives him is unmistakable.

He chuckles, shaking her hand. “Pleasure meeting you.”

Caroline probably won’t admit it, but she’s clearly smitten. She’s been single for a few years after a terrible divorce. While she likes to tease me and joke around about meeting “hot firefighters” (How ironic, huh?), I think she’s ready to find forever with someone.

I turn my attention to Jake, who’s already watching me. I feel my cheeks heating up, and it’s not because it’s in the high eighties today. It’s because of him. The man who’s been a part of my healing journey. The man who makes me feel ready to find forever, too.

“Looks like sparks are flying,” Lila whispers in my ear. “And I’m not talking about Caroline.”

“Isn’t it a bit fast?” I whisper back.

Lila sets her hand on my shoulder. “When it’s right, it’s right.”

“Maggie—” Jake begins, when there’s commotion behind me. I turn to see that Maverick has managed to snatch a pretzel from one of the food stalls.

Jake groans in exasperation. “That dog…”

Before we can make a joke at his expense, he’s already darting after the mischievous canine.

After Maverick has been put in time-out, aka Jake took him home, we all wander through the different booths.

Lila probably wishes she brought her husband with her instead of being the fifth wheel since Caroline and Tom are chatting away.

Not that she minds; she’s a carefree type of girl.

I’ve introduced them to my Blue Alder Cove friends, and it’s been a wonderful day.

As the sun begins to set, the lakeside becomes a dazzling array of lights. Fairy lights twinkle in the trees overhead, their warm glow reflecting off the water. A local band serenades the crowd as couples sway on a makeshift dance floor near the lake.

Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I turn around to find Jake.

“Dance with me?” Jake asks, his voice softer than I’ve heard before.

I’m surprised by his request, but I nod. He takes my hand, leading us toward the dance floor. His hand rests at my waist while I place my hand on his shoulder, our free hands interlocked. We move in rhythm with one another, his lead confident yet gentle.

“So, Hollis, I didn’t peg you as the dancing type,” I say, trying to lighten the mood and not focus on the warmth radiating from his touch.

“Neither did I,” he admits with a light chuckle, his gaze never leaving mine. “But it seems there’s a lot of things I wouldn’t do until you showed up.”

The thumping in my chest grows faster. “Like what?” I prompt, hoping to keep him talking. The more he reveals about himself, the more my heart seems to open up to this man.

“Well,” he starts, leading us in a gentle twirl that has me squealing on the inside. “That photo backdrop…Gemma asked me to do it already, and I told her no. But when you asked me, I couldn’t turn you down.”

“Oh?” I play it cool, even though my pulse is jumping. “Anyone else you’d do it for?”

He shrugs, his eyes darkening slightly. “No, just you.”

A warm blush floods my cheeks as his words linger. My heart pounds in my chest harder, which I didn’t think was possible, at his admission.

His hand tightens around my waist as he pulls me closer. His eyes search mine. “Come with me.”