Page 40 of A Breeze Over Rosewood Beach
They sliced, sautéed, and assembled as sunlight streamed through the back windows, lighting the countertops in gold. Sally hummed while she worked, seemingly improvising each step—such as plucking a lemon from a basket for zest or tossing in an extra sprig of thyme just because she said it felt right. She coached Oscar through chopping garlic, teasing him whenhis pieces were comically uneven, and laughing when he nearly knocked over a bottle of olive oil.
But instead of feeling self-conscious, Oscar felt happy. He felt free. He marveled at how Sally didn’t second-guess herself, or how she didn’t pause to worry whether something would be good. She just trusted her instincts, and the result was beautiful in its own messy way.
They tasted as they went, adjusting with a pinch here, a drizzle there. Somewhere along the way, the barriers between them softened. Oscar found himself telling Sally things he hadn’t said out loud in years, telling stories about family vacations along the coast when he was a child, and talking about the pressure he’d often felt to have it all figured out as an adult. Sally listened without interrupting, her eyes bright and kind.
When they finally sat down to eat the simple but perfect panzanella salad with roasted vegetables and handmade vinaigrette, it tasted like summer and spontaneity.
“Not bad for a no-recipe lunch,” Oscar said, savoring the flavors that were still dancing on his tongue.
“See?” Sally grinned. “You just have to trust yourself a little more. Let yourself follow your impulses more, Oscar.”
His heart beat faster as he realized that his impulses were telling him to get to know the fascinating, colorful woman in front of him better. He may have steered clear of romance in the past, but he was changing along with his new circumstances. It was as if he could smell green, growing things on the winds of his life, just like Sally had claimed to smell spring on the winter wind.
“You’re right,” he said, smiling back. “I think I could get used to that.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Hazel’s heart danced somewhere between her ribs and her throat as she stared at her reflection in the courthouse bathroom mirror. The simple white dress hugged her figure, making her feel elegant despite the simple cut and the plain material. She smoothed her hands over the soft fabric, breathing in deeply and trying to calm the fluttering inside her. She smiled at her reflection, enjoying the vibrant color of her red lipstick.
“I can’t believe I just got married,” she whispered to herself, her voice carrying a mix of awe and delight. A soft laugh spilled out of her. She tried her new name out loud, savoring the way it rolled off her tongue. “Mrs. Hazel Dorsey.”
Her smile widened as the sound of the name settled into her bones like it had always belonged there. It felt like home.
Jacob was waiting for her in the hallway, rocking slightly on his heels, his hands tucked into the pockets of his navy-blue dress pants. His tie was slightly askew and his hair was rumpled just enough to reveal that he’d been running his fingers through it, a tell that Hazel had long ago learned meant that he was nervous.
When he saw her, his entire face lit up with a smile. Hazel walked toward him, her nerves dissolving with each step until allthat remained was the bubbling joy of the shared secret between them.
“Hey, Mrs. Dorsey,” Jacob said softly.
Hazel rose up onto her tiptoes to give him a little kiss. “Hey, husband.”
As they left the courthouse together, Hazel felt as light as air, as if she were walking on clouds.
“Sam is blowing up my phone,” she said with a laugh as she climbed into the car next to Jacob. “She loves the pictures we sent her.”
Samantha was away on a school trip with her cheerleading squad, but she’d given Hazel and Jacob her full blessing to get married without her there. She’d phrased it as, “Isn’t that the whole point of eloping? It’s just you two sneaking off. Have fun!”
“I can’t wait to give her my first official hug as her father,” Jacob said, looking overjoyed.
“You’ve been her father for a while now,” Hazel said softly, squeezing his hand.
“But now it’s official.” He grinned.
For a moment, they shared an adoring look. Then Hazel squirmed, the weight of their wonderful secret pressing against her ribs like a balloon ready to burst.
“Let’s go tell my family,” she urged. “I can’t wait for them to find out. Should we just head over to The Lighthouse Grill for a late lunch? Mom and Julia should be there for sure, and there’s a good chance Alexis will be there waitressing as well.”
“Sounds perfect.” Jacob leaned over and gave her a big kiss. “Turns out getting married makes you really hungry. I’m famished.”
He drove them over to The Lighthouse Grill and they hurried inside. A moment later, Hazel saw her mother, Julia, and Alexis all seated together at a booth, taking a late lunch break together. Her heart leapt up when she saw them. These women had beenher anchor for as long as she could remember, and she couldn’t wait to tell them her good news.
Vivian was the first to spot Hazel and Jacob. “Hey!” She waved to them eagerly. “Would you two like to join us for lunch?”
Hazel exchanged a delighted glance with Jacob. “Sounds perfect. You guys can help us celebrate.”
Julia smiled. “Yeah? Are you two ready to move into your new place?”
Hazel nodded, her hand reaching instinctively for Jacob’s. “Actually… we just got married.”
