“The price shouldn’t be an issue. Do you mind if I come take a look?” I asked.

“Feel free. When do you need it?” Reece asked.

“Well, if everything goes well and I like it, would I be able to have it this evening? I just came into town and I don’t have a place to stay yet.”

“I thought that’s what you were going to say. It’s fully furnished and ready to go, so I don’t see that being a problem.”

“Perfect!” I was smiling.

Reece said he was free right then and gave me the address. Putting it in the GPS I made my way out to the little home. Although, that wouldn’t exactly be accurate. The instant I pulled in to the long winding driveway, I fell in love. I never thought I’d find willow trees in Florida, but here they were, lining the drive up to the house; their branches sagging down towards the ground. They were my favorite trees. If trees could look peaceful, then this is what they would look like. As I drove through the weeping branches that shaded the gravel road, I saw a house up ahead that was shingled in a light blue color. It screamed ‘beach house’. I got out of the car and looked at the house, which could more accurately be described as a cottage. There was a wraparound porch that had a small stair case leading up to the front door. Wicker chairs had been strategically placed all the way around the porch so whoever vacationed here could sit outside under the shaded roof and read a book, have their morning coffee, or just sit and watch the ocean.

Just then a gentleman came out of the front screened porch with a wide, welcoming smile. He approached me with his hand extended.

“Emilyn I assume?”

I took a hold of his offered hand. “Yes, you must be Reece.” I smiled just as big as he was.

I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but Reece was an older man with white hair and crystal clear blue eyes. He wasn’t much taller than me, but his smile and gentle handshake made me feel at ease.

He gestured toward the house. “Go ahead and take a look around. I don’t mean to be rude, but I have some phone calls to make. I’ll be right outside if you have any questions.”

I nodded and made my way up the stairs. The salty air felt good in my lungs. It was fresh and invigorating. Walking through the screen door, I was greeted by an open living area. It was large and airy. Rattan furniture with tropical colors furnished the living room. My eyes darted around and took in the space. The only thing I couldn’t see was a television, which was fine because I didn’t want to waste my time on TV. Off to the left was a semi-large kitchen that was open to the living room, making the space look even bigger. Tile floor lead the way down a hall off to the right. Three separate doors at the end indicated the two bedrooms and probably a bathroom. I didn’t bother going in to look; I didn’t need to because I was already in love with the house. What I really wanted to see was what was through the sliding glass door leading to the deck and the beach. When I got outside I stood on the seafoam green decking and looked out over the beach. I didn’t have a neighbor in sight. I swear you could see for miles on either side. It would just be me out here, which was just what I needed. Deciding to give Reece whatever he was asking for the place, I made my way back outside and found him on the phone, leaning against his car. When he saw me approach he ended his call and asked me what I thought.

“I love it! You’ve done a great job on it! How much?”

“I’m glad you like it. I’m asking fifteen hundred a month and we can do a month to month lease if you need it.”

I nodded and he took out all the papers that I needed to sign. When all was done and taken care of, I thanked him and he told me where I could find a grocery store in town. Walking back out on the back porch I slipped off my shoes and decided to go for a walk on the beach. Stepping on to on the soft white sand, I took a deep breath in and let it out, releasing the tension that I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. I made it out to the edge of the water and a wave came up over the top of my feet. It was like lukewarm bath water. I stood there taking in my surroundings. It was quiet except for the water washing in and then receding back out. My feet were slowly getting covered in sand with every wave that hit them. I could easily lose myself out here in this scenery. The water was a beautiful transparent aqua blue. The heat of the sun beat down on my face and shoulders and saturated my skin. Pulling my feet out of the sand, I turned back towards the house and figured I’d probably better go back into town and get some food for the next few days. It was time to learn how to cook meals for one. That thought made me sad but I pushed it away, telling myself that this would be good for me. I needed to call my parents and Harper and let them know where I was so they didn’t worry any longer than I was sure they already had.

Two months later…

“Guys thanks so much for coming out here tonight. Not that listening to the ocean waves ever gets old… it can just get a little lonely sometimes.”

I’d invited Reece and Grant over for a cookout. Over the past couple of months, I’d become friends with Reece. It turned out that he was a single father and the waiter at the café—Grant—was his son. They were both so kind to me. If I ever needed anything, one or both of them would come help me out. I had no doubt it was fate that I met these two. Their company filled some of the many hours that I was alone in this house.

During my first two weeks here, I’d considered getting a part time job just to keep me busy. But I quickly squashed that because that hadn’t been the purpose of me leaving everything behind. I wanted to know what it was like to be on my own and live my life for myself and nobody else. I knew that most would think that would include working, but I needed to force the quiet on myself. I needed to teach myself that I was okay alone, that to do things because I wanted to do them, and not because it was expected of me. I cooked meals that I wanted to eat, cleaned the house when I wanted, read books on my own schedule and I didn’t have to work around whenever other people. It felt very freeing, but deep in my soul I missed taking care of someone. I’d learned quite a bit about myself already. For one thing, I’m definitely a people person. I enjoy cooking for others and I missed looking forward to someone coming home. And those little annoying messes? Well, they were still annoying, but it pleased me to take care of them.

Sitting back in my chair on the patio, it creaked as I relaxed.

Reece smiled at me. “Oh you don’t have to thank us. You’re one of the best cooks we have around here. Maybe you should open your own place?”

Grant rubbed his belly, as if the six-pack I’d seen out on the beach earlier today was protruding.

“No kidding. That was the best steak I’d ever eaten. You could put any man to shame on a grill.”

We all laughed. Making more small talk, the boys started to get up and make their way to the door. Hugging both of them, they got in their car and left while I stood there watching them. Back in the kitchen, I went to the refrigerator and pulled out the single cupcake I’d bought earlier at the store. I didn’t tell Reece and Grant that the reason I’d invited them over was because it was my birthday. I had officially turned thirty. Grabbing a lighter, I sat at the table and lit the solitary candle. Then I closed my eyes and made a wish. I wished for the very first thing that popped into my head…

Finn.

I missed him. The amount of times I’d thought of him while living here could have filled the ocean behind my house. I wanted to know how he was, what he was doing. I wondered if he’d moved on? Did he hate me for leaving? There had been many nights when I’d cried myself to sleep because I longed to be with him. Not that I regretted a single second of my time out here living on this beach. I had let the ocean water wash away the pain of losing my child, and love that was no longer. The truth was that what Finn and I’d had died a long time ago. When he lied to me it sealed our fate and that any chance of us being together was more than dead—it was buried. But I’d also made peace with him. In doing so, I began to love him in a new, deeper way than I had ten years ago.