Page 92 of Beautiful Dreamer

She just hoped she hadn’t waited too long.

* * *

There were two adorable mugs, one green and one lavender, and abag of chocolate-flavored coffee in a basket with a bow on Elizabeth’s doorstepthat second day of November. She didn’t have to read the card to know who hadleft them for her. She sat down on her step, opened the door so Scout couldjoin her outside, and picked up one of the oversized mugs. At first, Devyn’scontinued advances annoyed her because where had that mentality been when she’ddisappeared off the face of the Earth? Why now, all of a sudden, when Elizabethwas finding her way back to being a person? Lately, though, the little gesturesseemed…sweet. Maybe it was the holidays approaching. Goodwill toward men andthe Christmas spirit and overflowing hearts seem to be the norm this time ofyear. But it wasn’t just the gestures that resonated with Elizabeth. Devynherself seemed more open, more engaged with other people than she’d ever seenher. She smiled a lot, attended events, looked more relaxed, and was actuallyout there living life, rather than being chained to her email. She wasn’t surewhat to do with that information.

Scout licked her nose and whined softly. “You still miss her?” sheasked her dog, who stepped one foot at a time into her lap. “You realize you’reabout four sizes too big to be a lapdog?” She stared in amusement at Scout, whospilled well beyond Elizabeth’s crossed legs. “That can’t be comfortable, yougoof.”

KC, who was scheduled to stop by for a beer, pulled into herdriveway fifteen minutes early. “I’m an adult out in the world without achild.” she yelled, arms outstretched. “I raced over. Where are the snacks?It’s after five. Feed me promptly.”

“I have baked brie assembled that I was going to toss in the oven,but you’re early.”

“You’re not listening. I’m childless. I have to be early. Oh, Ilove those,” she said, taking a mug from Elizabeth’s hands and marching intothe house as if she owned it. In many ways, she did. Scout scampered after KC,but Elizabeth paused before following them in, stealing a moment for herselfbecause she was feeling off-kilter. Devyn’s staying power surprised her.Despite all of Elizabeth’s rebuffs, she hadn’t backed down or given up in theslightest. While part of her was, well, impressed, the larger part still viewedDevyn as an unreliable threat to her emotional well-being. She couldn’t letsomeone like that back into her heart, even if she wanted to. She sighed,thinking about their most recent encounter just that morning. She’d been threeblocks into her walk with Hank, this time with Scout along, too. She’d turnedafter hearing footsteps approach from behind to see Devyn, hair in a ponytail,out for a jog. She wore skintight black athletic leggings with a blue stripedown the side and a matching spandex top. Elizabeth blinked. The image of Devynin sleek athletic wear that showed off so much of her…physique wiped her mindclean of thoughts. She couldn’t even recite her address, and she tried.

“Hey, funny running into you here,” Devyn said as she came up onthem. She smiled widely and jogged in place, waiting for Elizabeth’s response.

She eventually located the ability to operate her brain again andstood up tall, bracing against the dogs that wanted to pull her forward. “Hi.”She quirked her head. “You’re a runner?”

“I am. I used to run late at night on the treadmill in the gym inmy building. Now I embrace the sunshine. Turns out that fresh air is much better.Gets my mornings started right. I don’t think I’ll ever go back.”

“Fresh airisnice,” Elizabeth said, as Hank got the better of her, pulling her forward a fewsteps.

“Are you having a nice morning?”

“I’m having agreatmorning,” Elizabeth said automatically. She forced herself to smile to show offjust how great. She was having an amazing time. Just look at her. Walking dogsand such. “Probably one of my best.” Okay, that might have been overkill. Shesucked at projecting confidence. Always had.

“Really? Well, that’s a strong endorsement. I was hoping youwere.” The jogging in place turned into jogging backward in front of Elizabethas she continued the dogs’ walk. “Not sure if you know, but I made a purchase.”

“What kind?” Elizabeth asked, pretending to be extra interested inwhat Hank was sniffing.

“The house at the end of Mockingbird Point. The one with the giantoak in the front lawn?”

“Oh. I really love that house. You’re going to live on the samestreet as Jill?”

Devyn nodded, still jogging. “I need someone to borrow a cup ofsugar from. She’s great about that stuff. Plus, the street holds a lot of greatmemories for me.” Her ponytail bouncing. Other things, too. Elizabeth wanted toslam her eyes shut and free herself from this torture.

“I was going to try that new café near the water tonight. I’m toldtheir clams can’t be touched. Wanna come along? Very casual.”

Elizabeth exhaled. Every part of her wanted to go, but her brainoverruled her pesky and less intelligent heart. Not that this new Devyn didn’tleave her curious. Wondering. Interested. “I’d love to, but I’m probably goingto take tonight to stay in with Scout. Relax.”

Devyn nodded, though her smile dimmed a small amount. “Well. Ilike the sound of that. Scratch her behind her ears for me, okay?”

“I will do that.”

“I hope I see you soon, Liz.” She turned and jogged off, leaving agawking Elizabeth to watch the very impressive show.

With the mug and coffee in her hands now, she pulled herself backinto the present and headed inside for snacks and drinks with her best friend,wondering distantly what this new version of Devyn Winters thought of that café by thewater. She felt her resolve cracking ever so slightly and pondered maybe, justmaybe, calling her sometime to find out.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Good God, this town never tired of festivals and events. It wasn’tthat Devyn was complaining, but there really was an unending stream of them.The people of Dreamer’s Bay were deep celebrators, and who was she to takeissue with that? In actuality, the community gatherings made her feel more andmore at home in the Bay, beyond what she ever would have thought possible. Dareshe say she actually enjoyed them?

“Hello there, Devyn. You are a stunner in navy,” Mary Beth Eckhartsaid in her ear. Devyn glanced down at her jeans, navy sweater, and tall brownboots, hoping her outfit blended with the masses.

She smiled at her mother’s friend, who wore a shimmering silvertop and pearls. One of the better dressed attendees. “I was hoping to blend inwith the locals.” She’d heard of the event, interestingly namedRed, White, and Turkey—yes,really—but had never once attended. For twenty dollars a ticket, a person couldsample a variety of wines from multiple vendors on one side of the pavilion. Onthe other, they staged a turkey cook-off, in which local restaurants battledfor the most votes on their turkey preparation. There was roasted turkey, friedturkey, traditional turkey and gravy—and don’t get her started on the turkeycheese balls she didn’t quite understand—all in preparation for Thanksgiving,now just two weeks away. The chill in the air gave the event a true holidayfeel, and she snuggled into her sweater even more. The townspeople mingled inthe large outdoor pavilion surrounded by a variety of vertical heaters. Barrelsof wine flanked the perimeter to give the event a rustic feel, and a bluegrassband played on the small, erected stage.

Mrs. Eckhart regarded her knowingly. “Well, you’re a localyourself now. A new home. A business. I’d say we’re keeping you.”

“All part of my plan,” she said, and sipped her hot mulled wine.

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