Page 19 of Since the Day We Wished

Emma skimmed the menu, even though she knew the vegan options by heart. “I’ll take the black bean burger.”

“Good choice. Phil made a fresh batch of them this morning. What do you want for your side?”

She hesitated, her eyes darting between the virtuous side salad and something more exciting that could induce a carb coma. “Some of that vegan mac and cheese would be great.”

“Coming right up.”

As Margie made her way to the kitchen, Emma grabbed her phone, checking her Facebook posts. Just then, Ada Harrison approached her table.

“Hello dear, how are you doing?”

Emma forced a smile. “I’m alright. How are you?”

As the bell above the door chimed, Emma's attention shifted to a stranger approaching the counter, who had a bag of Barking Orders treats in his hand.

“Can I get two turkey wraps to go?” he asked Margie.

“Sure thing, Luke.” She smiled at him as she rang up his order.

Ada followed Emma’s gaze and waved. “Luke! Over here! I want you to meet someone.”

As he drew closer, Emma could see Ada hadn’t been exaggerating about his good looks. He stood tall, with a chiseled figure. His piercing blue eyes, framed by his dark brown hair, glowed like a beach bonfire’s embers in the night. A sculpted jawline that contrasted with his full lips only enhanced his striking appearance. Finding herself momentarily lost in his features, she was pulled back by Ada's voice.

“Emma, this is the new neighbor I’ve been going on and on about.” Ada paused, giving her a playful wink. “Luke Grayson, meet Emma Wright. She was the former owner of your new home.”

Luke smiled, revealing a dazzling set of perfect white teeth. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Emma held out her hand and shook his, smiling back.

“He came all the way down from Chicago,” Margie said, refilling coffee mugs without missing a beat. Her eyes sparkled as she turned to Luke. “I hope Hadley Cove has enough to offer to keep your handsome-self here.”

Luke chuckled. “Well, I think the big city was what I was trying to get away from. Hadley Cove has been very welcoming so far.”

As the conversation meandered, the murmurs and appreciative looks from the local women didn't go unnoticed, adding a layer of intrigue to their meeting. Even Emma caught herself stealing her own glimpses of him, observing the subtle dance of his eyebrows, rising in bemusement as he gracefully navigated Ada’s relentless questioning.

While voices rose and fell in playful banter, Margie returned to the table, setting down Emma’s black bean burger in front of her. Sensing his discomfort from all the flirting, Emma decided to save him and pointed at the bag of treats in his hand.

“What’s your dog’s name?”

Luke looked at her with an expression of relief on his face. “Oh, I don’t have a dog. These are for a stray that I found curled up on my porch. I’ve been taking care of him for about a week now.”

A rush of excitement edged into Emma's voice. “Does that stray happen to be a golden retriever?”

“Yeah. Sandy-colored male. He had a collar, but no tag. I made a post on the community Facebook page, but it said an admin hadn’t approved it yet.”

Emma pulled off the flier she had taped on the window and handed it to Luke. “Is this him?”

He looked down at the paper, just as surprised. “Yeah! I’m pretty sure that’s him.”

Emma gasped. “Really? You have Riley?”

Luke nodded as he handed back the flier. “Only one way to find out. When can you swing by to pick him up?”

“Do you think I can come over now? Are you busy?”

“No, not at all. I came in to grab some lunch for me and my son, and I’m heading home after that. You’re welcome to come and take him if you’d like.”

“That would be amazing!”

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