Page 42 of A Breeze Over Rosewood Beach
Oscar shook his head. “I haven’t known you that long, Sally, but I know what you look like when you’re tired. That wasn’t it. I’ve never seen you looking so upset before.”
“It’s Hazel and Jacob,” Sally finally admitted, her voice trembling more than she expected it to. “Vivian’s daughter and her partner. They got married at the courthouse today.”
“Oh?” Oscar looked confused. “Isn’t that good news?”
“It’s great news,” Sally said quickly, wiping a stray tear as it slipped down her cheek. “I’m so happy for them. They’re perfect for each other. It’s just…” She hesitated, feeling foolish but pressing on anyway. “I guess it hit me harder than I thought that—” She sighed. “I love this place, you know? I’ve poured everything into it. The long nights, the endless to-do lists—I didn’t care because I was chasing my dreams. But sometimes I wonder—what else have I missed while I’ve been so busy?”
Oscar pulled up a chair across from her, his expression softening even more. “You think you’ve missed out on romance?”
“Sometimes,” she whispered. “I’ve spent years making sure everyone else feels at home here. The regulars, the staff, and the people who wander in and stay because the soup is good and the coffee is hot. And I love them, I really do. But what if I forgot to save room for my own story?”
Oscar leaned forward, his expression earnest. “Sally, you’ve created something special. You’ve built a place where people feel like they belong, where they’re seen and cared for. That’s not something everyone can do.”
She blinked, the tightness in her chest loosening just a little.
“You care so much about everyone who walks through those doors,” he continued, his voice warm and steady. “That’s not you missing out. That’s you living fully. And you’ve still got plenty of story left, you know. You’re not finished.”
Sally smiled, and happiness wafted through her core. “Thank you. I think I needed to hear that. Thank you for reminding me of the beautiful things I do have. I really do appreciate all thepeople I have in my life.” Her eyes lingered on his face as she said the words, and she thought she saw his ears turn slightly pink.
All at once she was hit with a marvelous idea. “You know,” she said, sitting up straighter, “I should do something. For Hazel and Jacob. They didn’t have a big wedding or reception. Julia was sad they didn’t get to celebrate together, and she said they were trying to plan a small party. What if I host it here?”
Oscar nodded. “What did you have in mind?”
Sally’s eyes shone, her usual spark returning in full force. “An informal reception. Here at Ocean Breeze Café. Something cozy but special, that will be a way for everyone who loves them to celebrate their marriage. And Hazel and Jacob both love Monte Cristo sandwiches, so what if we did a Monte Cristo sandwich bar? We could have people make different variations, like a build-your-own kind of thing.”
“Brilliant,” Oscar said, seeming to be caught up in her energy.
Sally’s mind raced ahead, picturing twinkling string lights, fresh flowers on the tables, and platters of golden, gooey sandwiches. It could be perfect.
A moment later, however, she felt a twinge of doubt. “I want to do this,” she admitted to Oscar, “but what if I don’t have enough time to pull it off? If I’m going to do something like this for Hazel and Jacob, I want to make sure it’s really wonderful. They deserve that.”
Oscar reached across the desk and placed his hand over hers. “You don’t have to do this alone. I’ll help you.”
Sally’s breath caught when she heard his words. She’d grown so used to managing everything herself, carrying the weight because she thought she had to. The thought of someone offering to share her burdens with her made her almost weak at the knees with happiness.
“Really?” she asked, her voice small.
“Really.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ll make it everything you want it to be.”
Tears pricked at her eyes, and she squeezed his hand back. “Thank you,” she whispered. “It feels so reassuring to have someone be in this with me.”
Oscar gave her a soft smile. “Of course. So, what are your ideas?”
Sally grinned as she thought for a moment, and then she clapped her hands together, her excitement bubbling to the surface. “Okay! So, a Monte Cristo sandwich bar. We can have classic sandwiches of course, and then maybe some with brie and apple, or ham and fig jam for a twist. Oh, and of course we have to have strawberry preserves on the side.”
Oscar laughed. “Don’t forget a vegetarian option.”
“Of course! We could do one with roasted mushrooms and gruyère cheese.” She jotted it all down, the spark of her enthusiasm fully reignited now. “And we’ll need decorations for the reception. Beautiful things, but nothing too complicated or time-consuming. Maybe some twinkle lights, and maybe fresh flowers from the general store. I have all kinds of white tablecloths somewhere in storage.”
“And don’t forget about music,” Oscar added. “Is there a local band you can hire to play Hazel and Jacob’s favorite songs?”
Sally’s grin widened. “That’s a wonderful idea!”
The more they planned, the lighter she felt. The sadness that had lingered when she’d first sat down in the office was slipping away, replaced by anticipation and purpose. As they moved from brainstorming ideas to making lists, Sally realized she was no longer thinking in terms of what she was missing. Instead, she was thinking about what she was building—connections, memories, and moments that would make people feel loved and seen.
Finally, Oscar glanced at the clock. “It’s getting late. Would you like me to walk you to your car?”
Sally looked up, surprised by the time. “Yes. Thank you for offering.” She smiled at him, wondering for a moment if he was real or just some lovely figment of her imagination.
