Page 4 of Soulmates and Slapshots
Made it to Maple Falls. Here’s my current view. Jealous?A few seconds later, my phone buzzes with her reply.
Wow. That’s a lot of…nature. I still think you should’ve gone on a cruise or the islands for your getaway.
She follows up with another text filled with beach and palm tree emojis.
I chuckle under my breath. That’s a typical Hayleyresponse. She’s even more of a city girl than I am, born and raised in Manhattan, and allergic to anything that doesn’t involve concrete and tall buildings. I grin as I type a reply.
So much fresh air. And so many birds chirping, it’s very peaceful. You need to come visit. It’ll be good for you to get out of the city.
Still smiling, I lean back in the chair and close my eyes for a moment, breathing in the fresh, pine-scented air. Maybe this little town has more to offer than I thought. A getaway, plus time to clear my mind and ground myself. Especially because things back in Manhattan are very tumultuous right now.
The publishing company I work for is going through a reorganization—so there’s a lot of uncertainty there. I’ve had a few new job offers, but I haven’t made any decisions. Although, the work situation was nothing compared to the humiliation of thinking my now ex-boyfriend, Joshua, was going to propose to me but instead announced he thought we needed a break. It was like a scene in a movie—thinkLegally Blonde. And like the saying goes, a breakup wasn’t on my bingo card for this year. Two years together, planning a future and I honestly didn’t see it coming. Maybe I was ignoring the signs of us growing apart. Joshua and I are both very career-oriented, but it always worked for us. I truly believed we were both in the same place. Anyway, all the chaos went down within the past month, and now I’m in Maple Falls.
My phone suddenly buzzes a few times back-to-back. Clearly Hayley is on a roll.
Visit?
Wait. How long are you planning on staying there?
Hmm…that’s a good question. My plan was to stay for a week or two, and as of now that hasn’t changed. I quickly type a reply.
Only a few weeks. But you could come out for a long weekend.
It’s probably unlikely she’ll take me up on my offer, which is fine.
Maybe. But you’ll be ready to come back before I get there. I know you.
She has a point. But she knows the energetic, workaholic, social Fiona. That version of me feels miles away. Suddenly I’m reminded I have nothing to do in this moment, which is kind of terrifying.
Anyway, my aunt is right—I should go out and explore. I’m interested to see everything Maple Falls has to offer and a little curious about the scandal she mentioned. I jump up and head inside to get ready. City girl in the small town, day one.
The downtown area of Maple Falls is adorable. As I stroll through the heart of town, I listen to the satisfying crunch of leaves under my boots while the crisp early autumn air touches my skin. The storefronts have already started getting ready for the season, with festive displays of pumpkins, hay bales, and twinkling lights giving everything a warm, welcoming glow. Shops and restaurants line the main street, each one more inviting than the last.
But as an editor I’m instantly drawn to Falling For Books, the quaint little bookstore with its hand-painted sign and ivy-draped windows. I make a beeline for the door without a second thought. After all, there’s no better place to unwindand recharge than with the comforting embrace of books, and since relaxation is the only thing on my agenda today, I couldn’t be happier.
The moment I step inside, I’m greeted by the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the warm, familiar aroma of old paper and books. It’s the perfect combination, instantly putting me at ease. The shop is even more charming than I imagined. It’s cozy, with shelves crammed from floor to ceiling and soft lighting that makes every corner feel like an invitation to curl up and read. Every town needs a local bookstore.
Drawn by the smell of coffee, I wander toward the small café tucked into the back of the store. I already see myself spending a lot of my time in this very spot.
“Hi there. I’ll be right with you,” a voice calls from somewhere behind the tall espresso machine.
“No problem,” I reply, taking a few steps closer to the counter. While I wait, I let my gaze wander over the cute, handwritten chalkboard menu on the wall. Everything listed sounds so yummy. I’m suddenly tempted to try one of everything.
A moment later, a woman appears at the counter. “Sorry about the wait. I promise we’re usually quicker.”
“It’s totally fine,” I assure her. “I’m still trying to decide if I should be sensible and order one thing or just go all in and start my vacation. I’m open to all suggestions.”
“Honestly, everything is great, but the cupcakes are my favorite.”
I grin. “You can’t go wrong with cupcakes. Is this your place?”
A flicker of something crosses her face as she shakes her head. “No, not yet. But someday, I hope to own my own bakery. That’s the dream anyway.”
I offer her an encouraging smile. “Well, it sounds like a wonderful dream. I say go for it.”
Ugh. This poor girl didn’t ask for my unsolicited advice.
She brightens a little, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. I’m working on it. So what about you? You said you’re here on vacation?”
